<b>Email:</b> pauld@patch.com<b><br>Phone:</b> 708-261-8247<b><br></b><b>Originally from</b>: Rockford, Ill.<b><br>Birthday</b>: Sept. 3
Paul has a bachelor's degree in news-editorial journalism and a history minor from the University of Missouri and a master's degree in new media journalism and science writing from Northwestern University.
Before Patch, Paul worked as the education reporter for the Aurora Beacon-News and the government reporter for the Kane County Chronicle. During his time at the Chronicle, he won several awards for stories ranging from the misuse of electronic voting machines to the fallout from a fatal teen brawl.
He has written for the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Agence France-Presse wire service in Thailand and the Huffington Post. His work has appeared in newspapers and magazines from Bangkok to Melbourne to Sugar Grove, Ill.
Paul enjoys reading, biking and travel. He dislikes olives (both green and black) and has never trusted that Oprah Winfrey. She's up to something.
If Paul gets a dog, he's naming it Stet.
<b>Beliefs <br></b><i>At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. We also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. In the spirit of simple honesty, we encourage editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license to inject our beliefs into stories or dictate coverage according to them. Rather, we hope the knowledge our beliefs are on the record will cause us to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair and balanced manner. If you ever see evidence we failed in this mission, please let us know.</i>
<b>Politics<br></b>I've voted for Democrats, Republicans and even the occassional Green candidate when I didn't like any of the other options (2006 gubernatorial race, anyone?), but I tend to lean donkey. That's a tendency, not a creed.
<b>Religion<br></b>My mother is Jewish and my father Catholic. I believe this cross-cultural upbringing brought me a perspective looking past the trappings that divide us, into the characteristics that make us all human. But to answer the question most people want to know: Yes, I did get presents for both Christmas and Hanukkah.
<b>Local Hot Button Issues</b><br>Development – both commercial and residential – is always a hot topic, particularly where some see healthy growth and others see urban sprawl. Mokena is a family-oriented community, so any news that affects families is big news here (schools, schools, schools). Where do I stand on these issues? If I do my job right as a journalist, you'll never know.
After taking the job as Mokena Elementary School principal 11 days before classes started last fall, Chris Clavenna has taken a job as a junior high assistant principal in Downers Grove.
Mokena planning staff said they're "thrilled" the new Gas N Wash has come to the site once planned for a Gas City station. Check out photos of the store and Wednesday's ribbon-cutting.
After taking the job as Mokena Elementary School principal 11 days before classes started last fall, Chris Clavenna has taken a job as a junior high assistant principal in Downers Grove.
With the village board holding off on a decision about the French Market for two weeks so residents can weigh in, what do you think about the downtown event.
After more than two hours of discussion Monday night, the village board voted to delay a decision on the fate of the French Market so residents could weigh in. Here's what made the talk so hot.
Girl Scouts from throughout Mokena gathered at Mokena Elementary School on Monday to celebrate the group's 100th birthday. Check out our photos and videos and add your own.
Watch as your Mokena, IL, Patch editor gets his haircut with an open flame at Dina's Barber Shop on Front Street.
Here are the cost reductions vendors could see under the proposed contract extension for the Mokena French Market.
Student council members from all three Mokena District 159 schools collected a total of 1,800 toys and $277 in cash and gift cards for Orland Park-based charity The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation.
Curious about what your neighbors are renting? Check out last week's top 15 from Mokena's own video empire.
Four members of Heather Esgar's third-grade class spoke at last week's school board meeting. Watch video of their presentations on spiders, Gatorade and other class projects.
Mike Buziecki of Mokena's Crazy Fingers Catering wants his food to be as sustainable and environmentally conscious as it is delicious.
Looking for Mokena Patch Editor Paul Dailing? A. Why? B. He'll be with out with other editors promoting Patch at the Oak Forest Fleadh.
After the state left Mokena in the lurch for the $82,000 it costs to run the at-risk early childhood program Early Start, the school board voted to keep the program, but at a much higher costs for the parents who can pay.
As spring is springing, now is the time to be on the lookout for the invasive emerald ash borer. Here's a guide to the tree-killing pest and a list of local resources for tree treatment.
Here are some of the comments readers had on the week's top stories, both on the site and on the Mokena Patch Facebook page.
First registration is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at Mokena Elementary School. Read on to find out about what's new for the 2012 season.
Cheaper rent for vendors and more community involvement are some of the changes the village negotiated in a new, tentative contract with the French Market.
After a driver crashed into the Mokena Community Park District Administration Center in Main Park on Tuesday, classes have moved to The Oaks.
On March 5, members of the Mokena Intermediate School student council delivered a $200 check to Tinley Park PAWS Animal Shelter. The money came from a Valentine's Day Candy-gram sale.
