• Daniel MarraPatch Staff Verified Patch Staff Badge

  • Winchester, MA

<b>Bio: </b>I didn&#39;t start writing until about halfway through college. I was never really good in English class, I didn&#39;t like to read and school was never really my &#34;thing.&#34; So, naturally I became a journalist. 

When I first entered Manhattan College I had just assumed I would go to law school, because, well, what else do you do with a history degree? During the summer after my sophomore year I stumbled into an interview for a writing internship at the CW. Having no experience in the field and with no courses that would have prepared me for this field, I (surprisingly) did not get the position. But that failed interview experience propelled me to look into the school newspaper. That fall I started work at The Quadrangle, eventually became editor and almost from the moment I stepped through that door for my first meeting, I knew journalism was what I was going to spend the rest of my life doing.

After graduation I worked for a variety of newspapers, starting with two weekly publications - the Riverdale Review and The Riverdale Press. For the last few years I worked for The Westchester Journal News, where I primarily covered sports. The highlight of my career probably was getting the chance to interview the Giants Justin Tuck (who yelled at me) and Plaxico Burress (who was really soft-spoken, but nice).

A few months ago I moved to Massachusetts with my wife of four years and my son of 17 months. When I&#39;m not writing or out covering an event, I spend most of my time at the swing in our backyard (Sean loves it). But when I do get some free time my wife and I love to go to concerts, we both greatly enjoy music. Being from New York, I am a fan of all four true New York teams (Giants, Yankees, Rangers and Knicks), but be warned, I am an unhealthily obsessed Giants fan - the 2007 Super Bowl victory is the third greatest moment of my life (behind getting married and having a child).

I look forward to covering the town and people of Winchester. If you have any suggestions or comments or just want to introduce yourself, don&#39;t hesitate to get in touch with me.

<b>Your 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>My family is pretty conservative. I, of course, am the complete opposite. However, I don&#39;t associate with either political party, as I am a registered Independent. I think both parties have some good ideas, and if they can stop arguing for a few minutes they&#39;ll realize that. At this point, I&#39;m more hoping that a strong third party eventually emerges.  <br><br><b>Religion</b><br>Born, raised and practicing Catholic. <br><b><br>Local Hot-Button Issues</b><br>The decision not to renew the contract of the town manager definitely raised some eyebrows. Winchester also recently released the draft of its American with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan, which lists a number of issues that the town needs to address in order to be more handicap accessible. The plan could conservatively cost the town $3 million.

There is also a question of whether or not the town can afford the planned renovations to the Vinson-Owen Elementary School with the high school potentially needing renovations as well. And let&#39;s not forget, this fall, four of Winchester&#39;s seven schools will be welcoming new principals.

Posting Activity

Winchester|News|

School Budget Could be Reduced

The town has asked the School Committee to look at reducing its budget for Fiscal Year 2012.

School Budget Could be Reduced
Winchester|News|

Winchester School Traffic Study Plan

The School Department had Doug Prentiss of FST look at traffic concerns at the schools in Winchester, here&#39;s a look at some of what he found.

Winchester School Traffic Study Plan
Winchester|News|

Open Houses in Winchester

Here&#39;s a look at this weekend&#39;s open houses.

Open Houses in Winchester