Basics

• Email- Michael.Ganci@patch.com

• Phone- 516-492-2746

• Hometown- North Bellmore, NY

• Birthday- December 18
  

Bio  I have been writing for Patch since November 2009 doing all different kinds of freelance work. My work has ranged from interviewing Islanders' phenom John Tavares to covering fires in Merrick. I also interviewed Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler, and I have covered library board meetings and local civic association meetings as well.

A resident of Long Island since I was 2 years old, I took my talents to SUNY Oneonta, where I earned a Bachelor's in mass communications with a minor in journalism. I am also a certified New York State baseball coach.

Before Patch, I worked as a sports reporter for the Long Island Catholic, writing mostly features. I was also a freelance teleprompter operator for ABC. In fact, I was behind the teleprompter when Diane Sawyer went live after President Obama's health care bill was voted on.

While I have been a Bellmore resident since I moved to Long Island, East Meadow has always been a major part of my life. Whether it was bowling eight games at East Meadow Lanes or having my grandfather teach me how to ride my bike at Speno Park, I always found myself gravitating to East Meadow.

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 believe in change for the better. I voted for Barack Obama in 2008, and I think he has done admirably in some areas and not so admirably in others.  I voted for Obama because I saw him as the lesser of two evils, but I usually take elections on a case-by-case basis.

There are issues that I am more liberal about then others, and I am more than happy to talk about that with people.

Religion

I am an observant Catholic. I don't go to church as much as I should, but I do believe in God. Sometimes, I feel the need to question some things.

Local Hot-Button Issues

What's been a problem for East Meadow is the same as the rest of Long Island;  the cost of living and high property and school taxes.