Hello, Attleboro and Seekonk!
I am happy to serve the people of two wonderful communities as Attleboro-Seekonk Patch's new editor.
After a 10-year hiatus in California, I am happy to be back on the East Coast as editor of Attleboro-Seekonk Patch. My name is Jonathan Friedman, and I am here to serve you, the people of Attleboro and Seekonk.
A little background on me: I am a graduate of Ithaca College with a degree in broadcast journalism. I have 12 years of professional journalism experience and I began working for Patch in 2010 when I launched the site in Malibu, Calif. (it's not as glamorous as it sounds, the celebrities hide in their homes, but the people are wonderful). When I am not writing, attending local events or on the trail for the latest scoop, I enjoy eating good and bad food, swimming and reading history books. One of my lifetime goals is to write a history book for high school students.
For the past 18 months, I have traveled from Los Angeles to the Boston area to spend time with my third-generation Massachusetts resident girlfriend Pamela Ross. I decided last month that it was time to make my next visit permanent. So, here I am, ready to work in two wonderful communities.
You will be able to find me all over Attleboro and Seekonk—at the libraries, local parks, government meetings, community events and everywhere else the next story takes me. I am the one with the laptop computer featuring the Patch logo on the front. Be sure to walk up to me to say hello and tell me about the latest local information or give me your ideas on how to make Attleboro-Seekonk Patch an even better website.
I am ready to report on local news 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (and Leap Day too!). Feel free to call or email me anytime you have information to share. My phone number is 508-821-8613 and my email address is jonathan.friedman@patch.com.
Kendelle Aronson
5:11 pm on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Welcome Jonathan! You have some big shoes to fill, the previous permanent editor was a dynamo and when she left the site pretty much fell apart with it. I'm excited to hear you're going to be local.
Boro Observer
6:42 pm on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
The previous permanent editor had a stable of wonderfully talented freelance writers and photographers who helped her keep that site viable. When they cut her freelance budget (you can google this information) the site slid downhill because she was left on her own to do everything. This played a huge role in the site's demise. I don't consider casting a vote for Al Bundy of Married with Children to be newsworthy.
Emcee of Seekonk
5:18 pm on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Hello Jonathan. Patch is a wonderful idea that helps fill a need for news here in Seekonk. Has a real easy user-friendly format, too.
Hope you enjoy your stay in Massachusetts.
Dorothy Reinhold
6:29 pm on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Dear people of Attleboro and Seekonk: We miss Jonathan, more than he will ever know, and we expect you will quickly recognize what a skillful, insightful, committed, professional journalist you have in your midst. (He's nice, too.) Your gain is our loss!
Ann McEvoy
6:50 pm on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
I look forward to seeing what you have instore for this area.
dave1100
7:07 pm on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
I hope you can get the Attleboro Police Log back as a feature as it is important to see what is going on in our neighborhoods and just how much the APD do for us.
Kat
7:15 pm on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
hi Jonathan,
welcome to the Attleboro/Seekonk Patch. You like BAD food??? all right! You fit right in! LOL. It would be nice to see a restaurant guide in the PATCH. We ( husband, two girls 7 and 9 years old), love to go out and find decent restaurants.
Again welcome :) !
Johnny
7:44 pm on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Welcome. Please bring back some of the freelance writers. Best of luck.
Boro Observer
7:55 pm on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Johnny- Great advice.
Steve O'Neil
9:27 pm on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Well that explains some things here. I had no idea that the previous editor was no longer with us (Attleboro). I emailed her back in Dec. and never heard back from her. She was a good person to work for. I was one of the freelance writers ("Life with Justin"). Any idea where she has gone to?
Patricia Resende
5:49 pm on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Steve, hello! You never heard back from me because I left Patch in December. Hope all is well with you and the family and thanks for contributing great columns!
Steve O'Neil
6:49 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Patricia, I must have just missed you with my email. Could you send me your new email? Thank you.
Deb Gould
2:25 am on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Hi Jonathan, welcome aboard!
deb of see-attleboro
8:36 am on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
I hope Patch brings back the Q&A. I thought it could be a valuable resource to people who were new to the area. Even old timers like me found it useful. This past fall I got some great advice on how to keep squirrels from devouring my pumpkin.
Other readers asked questions about good local eateries or parks and recreation facilities to relax and play. Some asked more practical questions such as if trash day was changed because of a holiday. Occasionally, I noticed a question actually motivated Patch to do a little research and present an article on a subject that previously went unreported.
What happened to Q&A?
Gretchen Robinson
12:08 pm on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
welcome Jonathan -- and good luck!
Jessica Bessell
12:34 pm on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Welcome Jonathan!! I am very excited to work with you.
Patricia Resende
5:50 pm on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Jonathan,
Welcome to the 'Boro! Police, politics and the schools will keep you busy! There are some wonderful people here and in Seekonk! Good luck and best wishes! -Patricia
DebEgan
11:21 pm on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Jonathan,
Welcome. I do wish that the AttleboroPatch was still just Attleboro since we seem to have so much that goes on in our little city, but it's also great to see someone finally take the reigns again. You've got big shoes (high heals) to fill, since Patricia was amazing, so good luck.
Boro Observer
6:50 am on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Agreed that Attleboro is large enough to deserve solo coverage but AOL's main concern was never to serve a community. It was to make money....and they're not making any.
Jonathan Friedman
12:10 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thanks for your input Boro. I sent you an email about meeting up so we can chat about your ideas. Please respond when you can to jonathan.friedman@patch.com.
Sara Jacobi
3:47 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Hi Jonathan, welcome to Attleboro Patch! I grew up in Attleboro but work now for Patch up in Boston. Glad the site has an editor again!!