Tom Dunphy, Patch Staff

<b>Email: </b>tom.dunphy&#64;patch.com<b><br>Phone: </b>732-749-2592<b><br>Hometown: </b>West Long Branch, NJ<b><br>Birthday: </b>March 25

Tom Dunphy is a lifelong resident of Monmouth County. He attended Shore Regional High School and later majored in Journalism at Rowan University in Glassboro where he got his start writing for the university&#39;s student newspaper, The Whit.

Tom&#39;s professional career began as a staff reporter and columnist at The Coast Star in Manasquan, where he covered a variety of local issues. From there, he spent two years as an Online News Producer at The Asbury Park Press in Neptune.

Tom is currently a resident of Bradley Beach. In his free time, he enjoys playing music, surfing and running.

<br><b>Beliefs</b><br>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.<br><br><b>Politics </b><br>How would you describe your political beliefs?

I pride myself on my sense of political independence. I am an unaffiliated voter and I generally don&#39;t believe that the current two party system speaks to the needs or concerns of the American people. I consider my beliefs on social issues extremely liberal and considerate myself moderate in other areas. I am a strong environmentalist and a supporter of public education.

<br><b>Religion</b><br>How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)

I was raised Catholic but I no longer practice.<br><b><br>Local Hot-Button Issues</b><br>What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?

As with every community in New Jersey, the most important issue facing the communities in southeastern Monmouth County is controlling the steady rise of property taxes in light of the rising cost of local services and reductions in state aid.

Additionally, environmental issues are of key importance. With many miles of coastline and a large part of the local economy involved in tourism, keeping local beaches clean and accessible is paramount for local officials.

<br>Where do you stand on each of these issues?

First, towns must consider seriously the idea of regionalizing and sharing services as a means of cost saving. Elected officials should be expected to squeeze every penny of taxpayer dollars and to make tough decisions when necessary. Cost saving, however, must not come at the cost of a town&#39;s character. Each of our small communities is so unique, it would be a shame to lose that individuality in the name of savings.

Regarding the environment, local officials should involve themselves heavily in the decision-making process at the state and federal levels.