Email sara-megan.walsh@patch.com
Phone 631-316-2615 Twitter:  @HauppaugePatch Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HauppaugePatch Hometown Ronkonkoma, New York Birthday  April 14 Bio  Sara-Megan Walsh is a native Long Islander who spent much of her early childhood growing up in Hauppauge, where her grandparents lived. She was religious raised in Calvary Lutheran Church on Townline Rd before heading to University of Massachusetts – Amherst for college.  While in college, Sara was a staff reporter for The Daily Collegian and wrote features as an interning journalist for London PA magazine. She graduated Magna cum Laude in 2006 with a Bachelors of Arts in Journalism and Political Science, a minor in Classical Civilizations. After college, Sara briefly explored the possibility of a law career working as a legal writer in Binder & Binder's Hauppauge office.  She realized she missed knowing what was going on daily in the community around her and rediscovered her passion for community reporting. Sara has since written for several newspapers including The Rutland Herald and Long Islander Newspapers. Published articles have ranged on a variety of topics from the arts, breaking news, community events, schools and education, high school sports, business, health, homes and gardening, government and more. Her favorite topics are often community watchdog issues. As local editor of Hauppauge's Patch, Sara hopes to bring engaging conversation to Hauppauge to pull together its rich and diverse mix as a school district, center of business and governing seat in Suffolk County. 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 How would you describe your political beliefs? I tend to lean towards socially liberal while being fiscally conservative. Often I find myself walking the middle ground. Are you registered with a certain party? I am registered independent. Religion How religious would you consider yourself?  I would not call myself religious, but spiritual in appreciating life and the gifts its offers. Local Hot-Button Issues What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?Where do you stand on each of these issues? Hauppauge is a diverse community that brings a mix of close-knit residential, industrial business and government that is bound to lead to conflict. The beginning of long-awaited construction on Route 347 is unsettling, leaving questions about its current impacts and future.  With others, I hope it is for the betterment of the community while being watchful of what is going on. The asphalt plant on Rabro drive has been an issue of contention due to the smoke and fumes it creates. One in which the community and business world must work together to find a solution all can live with. There are many issues in Hauppauge still waiting to be explore, raising to attention. If you know of one that needs attention, or a community issue that should be brought out in the public, please contact me at any time. Fun Facts about the Editor: Sara worked as one of the few female FIFA referees for Long Island Junior Soccer League as a teenager.