Joseph Wenzel IV, Patch Staff

<b>Email: </b>joseph.wenzel&#64;patch.com<b> <br>Phone: </b>860-249-3315<b><br>Hometown: </b>Windsor Locks, CT<b><br>Birthday: </b>June 5, 1983 

<b>Bio:</b>

I was born and raised in Connecticut. I graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2005 with a dual degree in journalism and English.

I have worked as a newspaper reporter at the Middletown Press, where I covered everything from police to politics to general happenings.  I also covered the University of Connecticut and four small towns for The Chronicle in Willimantic and Southington police/fire and land issues while at the Record-Journal.

After leaving newspapers, I worked for Fox CT as a television assignment editor for over three years. During my time at Fox CT, I also wrote several articles for their website and the Hartford Courant.  

I have lived in the Wethersfield/Rocky Hill area for over four years. I am an avid fan of sports, wrestling, country/glam-metal music and horror movies. 

<b>Beliefs</b><br>At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for our editors to inject their beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that their beliefs are on the record will cause them to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.<br><br><b>Politics </b><br>I am a registered Independent. I always try to vote in local and presidential elections. <br><br><b>Religion</b><br>I am Roman Catholic and I try to go to church every Sunday. I am a firm believer in God and Jesus Christ. I try to live my life being the best person possible. I was an altar boy and plan on someday being married in a church. <br><b><br>Local Hot-Button Issues</b>

Rocky Hill was voted one of the greatest places to live in the country, mainly due to its good school system. So, schools are very important in town.  Another hot-button issue is the Route 3 traffic study and the possibility of increased traffic in the next 20 years. The Brookside Apartments proposal is a hot topic as well. The proposal is for a mixed-use facility on the north side of Brook Street with 144 residential units and about 5,750 square feet of medical offices.