More change and a new face at the Local

by Carla Robinson
Posted 10/7/21

We’ve been making a few changes here at the Local in the four weeks I’ve been your editor. One of the most important of those changes started last week, when Tom Beck joined the team as our newest reporter.

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More change and a new face at the Local

Posted

We’ve been making a few changes here at the Local in the four weeks I’ve been your editor.

One of the most important of those changes started last week, when Tom Beck joined the team as our newest reporter.

Like me, Beck enjoys chasing a great story. He will be a key part of our plan to significantly improve news content, and will be using his reporter’s instincts to dig into the issues you care about.

“I like asking tough questions, I like digging deep for a story, and I like learning new things,” Beck said. “I didn’t get a journalism degree just to write fluff.”

While Beck can handle any kind of news when I need him to, he’ll have a special focus on zoning, and all the development that’s going on up here in Northwest Philadelphia. He’ll take on the job of learning all there is to know about what’s being planned, who is doing the planning and what you need to know about it.

Beck earned his BA in Journalism from Temple University in 2015. He has since written extensively for various small newspapers and magazines in Philadelphia, including South Philly Review, Star Community Newsweekly, Philadelphia Weekly and Philadelphia Magazine. You can reach him at Tom@chestnuthilllocal.com, or by calling 215-248-8819.

The rest of our team remains the same. Assistant Editor Walt Maquire will continue his management of our production process as well as covering general news, and Features Editor Len Lear will keep producing wonderful stories about all the amazing people he finds. And of course, you’ll still be reading our regular columnists and contributors.

Another change I’d like to make is one I need your help with. I believe that the editorial page of a community newspaper like this works best when readers feel they can use it to express their opinions, air differences, and debate issues of shared concern.

So I invite you to use it that way. If there’s an issue you care deeply about, or if you see a problem and have an idea about how to solve it, write us a letter and say so! As long as it’s respectful, we’ll be happy to print it. And you never know, you might be surprised to discover how many of your neighbors agree with you.

As always, I’m interested in hearing your thoughts and opinions about how we’re doing, and what we should be covering. You are welcome to stop by and see us here at our office (as long as you’re vaccinated or are wearing a mask). But you can also write to me at carla@chestnuthilllocal.com, or pick up the phone and call 215-248-8802. We’d love to hear from you.

Carla Robinson, Editor