Email: william.laforme@patch.com
Phone: 978-228-8735 Hometown: Danvers Birthday: August 1 Bio: Bill has been working in journalism since 1995 and got started as news and features editor for the former political news website evote.com. This was in the earlier days of the Internet when the term "online journalism" hadn't been coined yet and when you said you worked on the Internet, people asked if that was the place where all the bomb-making recipes were. In 2004, Bill moved to Central New Hampshire to work as a news editor for the Laconia Citizen. After four years, he moved back to Salem, Ma., where he had lived for nine years previously. Other stints involving journalism have been as a public relations writer/editor for Plymouth State University in New Hampshire and as an SEO marketing writer for a firm in Boston. Away from journalism, Bill is an avid outdoor sports enthusiast who frequently goes kayaking, cycling and hiking in the region's state parks and other conservation areas - particularly Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield. Bill has been to 44 states, 10 countries and more than 40 national parks, and has driven across the United States and Canada four times. Other interests include photography, movies, cuisine from around the world, and attending an extremely wide variety of musical performances. He is also very interested in local, U.S. and world history - especially the Revolutionary War era. Bill is a Danvers resident who graduated from St. John's Prep in 1989 and who has lived on the North Shore for much of his life. He is a 1994 graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. Politics How would you describe your political beliefs?  Very independent, somewhat disaffected. After eight years of covering national politics, I see a certain element of ridiculousness at best in that particular area. I see local politics as a purer form of democracy that upholds longtime New England traditions in the process. I'm concerned about the environment, strongly support efforts to better promote science and technology, and am particularly annoyed by government waste and corruption - with the national debt being the ultimate symbol of those things in my eyes. One of my favorite and most frequently cited political quotes is George Washington's remarks about political parties in his farewell address. Are you registered with a certain party? No. Religion Somewhat religious.  I tend to be private about it. Local Hot-Button Issues What do you think are the most important issues facing the community? Development plans for the Meadow Walk project. Where do you stand on each of these issues?  The town needs to ensure future revenue growth, but in a way that is consistent with its character and with the wishes of local residents.