Email rich.arleo@patch.com

Phone 631-413-6206

Hometown Sound Beach, NY

Birthday January 31

Bio

When it came time to consider what I wanted my major in college to be, I knew that I loved sports and realized that I was a pretty good writer...so why not combine the two? During my senior year at Miller Place High School I joined the school newspaper, the KROB, and began writing sports articles. The first article I ever wrote won a high school journalism award with the Long Island Press and I was hooked from there.

I went to Marist College and after four amazing years where I was the sports editor of the school newspaper The Circle, an intern with the New York Islanders, a music minor with the famed Marist College band and more, I earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and sports communications. Upon graduation, I returned home to Sound Beach, where I have lived since 1995, and began freelancing for Patch.com. During my time as a freelancer I made some great relationships and earned valuable experience covering hyperlocal news. As the months passed, I was elated to hear that Patch was coming to my town and after expanding my experience from sports to news, I am thrilled to be the editor here at the Miller Place-Rocky Point Patch.

You may already know me, but if I'm still a stranger to you I want to change that. Look for me around town and don't hesitate to say hello- I want to hear what you think about Patch because after all, YOU are the news in Miller Place, Rocky Point and Sound Beach.

Your Beliefs

Politics
I am a registered Independent with a slight conservative slant. I have strong beliefs but also an open mind.

Religion
I was raised in a casual Roman Catholic household and while I may not attend church often, I pray every day and am very faithful to the man upstairs.

Local Hot-Button Issues

With budget season underway, school district budget cuts are on the minds of everyone in the community. As a former Miller Place student, I understand the worries about cutting clubs and programs and feel that the BOE's in both Miller Place and Rocky Point need to evaluate their budgets through and through and come up with a solution that affects the students as little as possible. Cutting clubs and other programs would be devestating to our students' future and should be an absolute last resort.

Twitter: @mprppatch

Facebook: Pages - Miller Place-Rocky Point Patch