MaryJo Kurtz, Patch Staff

<strong>E-mail: </strong><strong>maryjo.kurtz&#64;patch.com</strong>

<b>Telephone: 508-667-7525</b>

<b>Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA</b>

<b>Currently reside in: Westborough, MA</b>

<b>Birthday: Feb. 2</b>

MaryJo Kurtz is an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in nearly 90 media outlets throughout the country. She started her career as a radio rock jock in Pennsylvania. Her top-rated show caught the attention of Boston executives who were starting a music video television station, V66. They hired her as a VJ, and she spent several years hosting a live weeknight television program in Boston. She also began reporting for local ABC affiliate, WCVB-TV. Her work earned her the position of co-anchor of the evening news for an NBC affiliate in Virginia, where she and her husband stayed for several years and started their family. They eventually returned to Boston where MaryJo served for many years as the editor of Today&#39;s Parent of Massachusetts. Because of her reputation as a strong reporter, researcher and essayist, MaryJo&#39;s work regularly appeared in dozens of magazines around the country. The Community Advocate, a newspaper in Westborough, became one of her regular clients and returned her to community jounalism. Looking to expand her local reporting, MaryJo welcomed the opportunity to join Patch.com as editor of Westborough Patch .

<strong>Your Beliefs<br></strong>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 writers to inject beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our editor&#39;s beliefs are on the record will cause each 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 registered as an Unenrolled Massachusetts voter. While once intrigued by political debate, I now find it exhausting. The arguments from both parties remain the same, and rehashing them is insanity to me. Today&#39;s American political landscape appears to be about being on a team and preparing for battle rather than working toward an acceptable balance. It  reminds me of how rare it is to meet people who can think for themselves - and how much more rare it is to find someone who will put the good of the whole above personal demands.

<b>Religion</b><br>I consider myself a spiritual person with a strong belief in the underlying religious messages (the ones that often get lost) of compassion, forgiveness, generosity and kindness. I believe in The Golden Rule and the power of gratitude. I believe that every person is born into a unique circumstance with a story to tell and a life to celebrate.  

<b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b><br>The biggest issues facing towns across the country involve budgetary constraints. Westborough is no exception. What I find appealing about our town government is the cooperative way in which our Selectmen, Planning Board members, and School Committee members work. When hot-button, budgetary, or any other issues come before these groups, there is an open discussion of how best to resolve the issues with the resources at hand. It is impressive to watch these panels talk through possible solutions, examine the pros and cons of each, listen to each other, consider another&#39;s opinion, and vote on how best to serve the town. Having regularly attended and reported on the meetings of these groups during my nearly 20 year residency in town, I continue to be impressed by the respect and consideration board members give to varying opinions. I often leave these meetings thinking that our state and national leaders could accomplish much by adapting the same spirit of cooperation.

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