Matthew Bashalany, Patch Staff

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matthew.bashalany&#64;patch.com

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</b><b><b>Phone </b>

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978-284-0273

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</b><b><b>Hometown </b>

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Nashua, NH

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</b><b><b>Birthday </b>

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March 28, 1981

Matthew Bashalany was born and raised in southern New Hampshire, and with the exception of a four-year stint in central New York for college, he has lived in New England his entire life. He wouldn&#39;t consider living anywhere else.

He caught the writing bug from his mother, who has worked as both an English teacher and newspaper reporter. His first experience with newspaper writing was in eighth grade, drafting news briefs and box scores for his younger brother&#39;s travel soccer team. He has been writing ever since.

He graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in newspaper journalism. He has written for weekly newspapers in the Syracuse area, <i>The Telegraph </i>in Nashua, and medical and trade publications, covering everything from sports to town government to health and medicine. He also worked in public relations for several years.

In his spare time, he enjoys running, watching the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Syracuse University sports teams, and spending time with his wife and 7-year-old beagle.

<b>Your Beliefs</b>

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 you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you 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.

<b>Politics </b>

How would you describe your political beliefs? Are you registered with a certain party?

I was a Democrat when I first registered to vote at 18, but I have since switched to unaffiliated. Having grown up on the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border, my political beliefs were shaped by attitudes in both states.

<b>Religion</b>

How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)

I was raised in an Irish Roman Catholic parish, though I do not attend church regularly.<b> </b>

<b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b>

What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?

Like most communities in Massachusetts and throughout the country, North Reading is still feeling the effects of the 2008 market crash and ensuing recession. The development of public wastewater infrastructure, planning for a new high school, and economic growth are all major issues facing the town in the near future.