Email: pete.kennedy@patch.com
Phone: 610-462-8973 Hometown: Kennett Square, PA Birthday: October Bio: Pete is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where he majored in creative nonfiction writing. While there, he worked as a research assistant for magazines on both sides of the gender divide: Ladies' Home Journal and GQ (Gentleman's Quarterly).  After graduation, he took a temporary third-shift job at a box factory -- which, as a fan of The Simpsons, he appreciated for its stark tedium -- before landing a job as a proofreader and paginator in Bucks County. After that, Pete was hired as the editor of a local paper in Montgomery County, and also began freelancing for the Inquirer's Chester County section. He joined Patch in December 2010. When he's not at work, Pete enjoys spending time in the outdoors -- running, biking, kayaking and hiking, especially in Ridley Creek State Park, near his home. He loves taking in Phillies games during baseball season. Pete lives in Newtown Square with his wife, Shannon. If you have a story about the East Whiteland, Malvern and Willistown area, feel free to share it with Pete by e-mail or phone. He'd love to hear from you. Your Beliefs 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. Politics I lean to the left, but try to remain open to all points of view and indeed seek out thoughtful voices that challenge my beliefs. I registered with the Democratic Party leading up to the 2008 election, so that I could have a say in the primary. I had previously been an Independent. Religion Though I was raised Roman Catholic and attended a Catholic high school, I am no longer observant. Local Hot-Button Issues There are many issues that interest me -- education, government and local economy during this slow recovery.  However, my main concerns are infrastructure and preservation of open space. I think that good roadways are essential to a community's well-being, as is the ability to enjoy protected natural areas. I also hope to provide insight to how military engagements around the world affect the local community, which I feel is an underreported topic.