Email: Danielle.Masterson@patch.com

Phone: 781-502-8325

Hometown: North Reading, MA

Birthday: August 7

Bio: At just 12 years old, Danielle Masterson had her career path mapped out – television reporter covering the Boston Bruins after attending Boston University's College of Communications. Although the television thing never happened, Danielle finds herself in journalism, happily putting her BU education to good use at Patch.

Danielle graduated from Boston University's broadcast journalism program in 1999, seven months before joining the Stoneham Sun as a full-time reporter. After five years with the Sun, as both reporter and editor, she left journalism to give teaching a try. Danielle taught in several classrooms while obtaining her master's degree from the University of Massachusetts – Boston. For two years, she taught sixth grade in Marblehead, before deciding to jump back into community journalism.

While with the Sun, Danielle received two general excellence awards for her education writing and was known for her extensive coverage of the Stoneham Fire Department.

When not writing, Danielle enjoys reading mysteries (particularly anything by Robert B. Parker), listening to 90s music, watching the Boston Bruins, practicing yoga, crocheting and knitting. She lives in the Greater Boston area with her husband, Patch Regional Editor Les Masterson, and their two dogs, Jake and Chloe.

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.

Local Hot-Button Issues

Without a doubt, the Woburn Public Library expansion project is one of the biggest issues facing the city right now. As a lifelong reader, a former Language Arts teacher, a fan of history and a member of my hometown's Friends of the Library, I am very interested in the Woburn Public Library and its efforts to expand. I have heard arguments on both sides of the issue and understand where both are coming from – no one wants more taxes, but no one wants to damage a beautiful 131-year-old building. At the rate of use right now, the Pleasant Street library is being damaged by heavy books placed on old shelves and patrons are forced to edge past bookcarts scattered all over the building. Woburn's littlest residents are relegated to the basement, where flooding sometimes brings out centipedes. Patch will be there every step of the way with the Woburn Public Library expansion effort, as we inform readers of both sides of the issue. I hope that people will engage in a passionate, but respectful debate, on the expansion effort on our site as we navigate this together.

Mayor Scott Galvin took office nearly a year ago with several things on his agenda. One of those items was preserving and adding to Woburn's open space. He has steadily improved the city's open space, most notably by purchasing Spence Farm – a Woburn staple for over 70s years – and Whispering Hills. As someone who enjoys walking with friends, as well as with my dogs, I believe in the preservation of open space. I am looking forward to learning more about the logistics of the purchases – where the money came from and how much the land will cost to maintain.

Finally, many people know of Woburn as the city featured in the book and movie "A Civil Action." The Jonathan Harr book chronicled the lawsuit between parents and the city in which it was alleged that pollution in Woburn caused leukemia. Since then, the city has focused on making sure the water supply is safe and uncontaminated. Water projects are in the works right now, including a new water treatment plant at Horn Pond, a new water tower at Rag Rock and ongoing water testing. The Woburn Public Library also houses binder upon binder filled with reports from the Environmental Protection Agency on local testing. While the Harr book, and subsequent movie, put a negative light on Woburn, I am impressed at the city's response and its constant vigilance when it comes to water safety.