Tiverton-Little Compton Patch Editor Says 'Good-Bye'
I will never forget the experience of being your editor.
To my Tiverton and Little Compton Patch readers, the time has come for me to cast off my bow and stern lines, open my main sail and return to the open ocean. I am not accustomed to saying ‘farewell’ often. This decision did not come easy, but today is my final day with you as your editor.
Since that day in November 2010 when you welcomed me to the Sakonnet area, I have been truly blessed with a diverse, inquiring and highly active readership. For that I thank you, because to return day after day to read your local news, to post your events and announcements and to have engaging conversations about the issues that matter most to you, this site is becoming what you, the community, make of it.
In no way can I take full credit for manning the helm here alone, because it has always been you - the parent, the student, the teacher, the elected official, the concerned citizen – who has made Tiverton-Little Compton Patch your viable news and information source.
As a Cranston native, this area of Rhode Island was completely new to me. I’ve been grateful to meet so many inspiring people. I am flabbergasted that already a year and half has passed, and there are still so many unwritten stories to be told. Will you continue that effort while I’m gone?
Thank you, to the community leaders who have steered me in the right direction. Thank you, to those out there who wanted their voice heard. I hope I reached you, and if I did not, that opportunity will exist long after I am gone. In a short amount of time, and with a little extra effort, patience and compassion, many of you opened your lives up to me. I am touched by that and won’t forget those conversations.
I am fully aware of the issues that face Tiverton and Little Compton, and I hope you continue having beneficial dialogue with each other so you face whatever challenges and scenarios that await you, together, as one community. I am also well aware of the positive, heart-warming and cherished stories that exist here. You all shine brighter than you may think.
My gratitude goes to the local schools, police departments, fire departments, local and state elected officials, public works and town employees and everyone in between. Special recognition goes out to a dedicated bunch of colleagues, writers and people who worked closely with me, including Sandy McGee, Lindsay-Wilkes Edrington, Scott Pickering and Sara Bagwell, as well as Linda Andrade Rodrigues, Christopher Shott, Ned Brady, Bailey Payer, Don Mosher, Pat Souza and, of course, my Mom’s Council. I can’t go without thanking my family and friends near and far, because you’ve been there to provide endless, unconditional love and support.
Moving forward I hope that you will embrace Patrick Luce, the Rhode Island Associate Regional Editor who will be taking my place until a new editor is chosen to lead Tiverton-Little Compton Patch. If you have photos, news tips, announcements, feedback or anything else, please do not hesitate to contact Patrick at Patrick.Luce@patch.com or by phone at 401-651-2102.
Thank you again to each and every one of you for not only helping to shape Tiverton-Little Compton Patch, but also for being a tremendous impact on my life.
Joe Sousa.
7:44 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
I found your writing to be fair and unbiased. That's all we ask of a reporter. Thank you for that. Good luck in your new job.
Cathy
7:44 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Thank YOU Matt for allowing our voices to be heard through you! We are grateful for your support throughout your time with patch.com. You are a special person whose support and encouragement has touched many. We are thankful for your participation and coverage of many fun culinary events at Tiverton High School. We will miss you! Good luck to you and wherever life leads you, 'Bon Appetit'! Cathy Marshall, Tiverton High School Culinary Arts
RI Politics
8:21 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Thank you and good luck matt!
LCRIUSA
8:21 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Ciao Man. Thanks. Safe travels...
Lou
8:21 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Matt,
You'll be missed and leaving behind "big shoes" to be filled. Good luck with all your future endeavors. Keep in touch.....
THANKS.....Lou
Judy Truchon
8:33 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Thank you for your great efforts and success with this online paper. May you have nothing but bigger successes as you go on to your next destination.
Judy Brooks Truchon
Mike Silvia
9:12 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Though I grew up just one town away, I knew very little about the Tiverton/Little Compton community. The Patch helped me learn more about the towns and the people. News about the area was available on a limited basis only. The Patch changed all that by providing several daily news stories, updates about community events, information about local businesses and opportunities for community members to voice their opinions.
The Patch even made me feel more connected to the community, which helped reinforce my decision to make Tiverton my second home. And I'm happy to say we finally found a home (offer accepted yesterday) after three attempts.
Thank you for all your good work. I always appreciated your very approachable and responsive nature. You will be missed. Best of luck!
Kris
9:12 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
I was chatting with a friend about the Patch in their neck of the woods, and how he felt it was useless. I asked why, and he said it was because his Patch was nothing but police blotter reports and death notices, things he can get from his local paper anytime. I was happy to report to him that the Tiverton-Little Compton Patch was actually interesting, with articles and notices that this former Tivertonian can't easily get online.
Best of luck to you in your new endeavors, and your successor has big shoes to fill.
Mark Schieldrop
8:49 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Matt, on behalf of all of us here in the Rhode Island region, we will miss you. You were a great teammate and friend and I'll never forget how you helped me cover some big issues in Cranston. Lou is right, the next editor here will have big shoes to fill. You helped create a model for how a good Patch site should run.
Rade
9:12 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
I second Joe Sousa; great job with unbiased reporting! I wish you well moving forward!
The Shill
9:30 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
What is up with all these local patch editors leaving is patch trying to replace them all with one person to save money?
Lorraine Monteiroi
10:11 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Oh my goodness, you were the best Matt and we be truly missed. You are leaving some big shoes to fill.. I wish you the best always and Thank You for all that you ave done..........
jim pelletier
10:23 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
MATT,
THANK YOU FOR BEING THE EXEMPLARY EDITOR THAT WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE IN YOU...YOU WERE ALWAYS MOST CORDIAL AND HELPFUL, IN PRINT AND IN PERSON...THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT EFFORT...YOU ARE A CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL.
GOOD LUCK IN YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS...THOSE WHO WILL HAVE THE BENEFIT OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL TALENT WILL INDEED BE FORTUNATE...
GOOD LUCK!! GOOD HEALTH!!! ABUNDANT BLESSINGS!!!
WE LOOOK FORWARD TO AND WELCOME YOUR SUCCESSOR!!!
BARBARA AND JIM PELLETIER
Russ Smith
10:30 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Good luck, Matt! We'll miss you and your great reporting.
malcom lagauche
11:30 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
You did a great job, Matthew. Most people don't realize how intricate a job it is to present local news. You covered the area with skill and foresight and also created a publication to which the readership responded. To me, that's the mark of excellence. Good luck.
oldandtired
1:39 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Agree with others. Thanks Matt and good luck.
Edward Davis
4:28 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Matt, in a short time you have had a big influence on this town and how the citizens keep informed. Now, I go on line every morning and check the patch before reading the local newspaper or their websites. Best of luck at your new endeavor!
Brian Medeiros
5:53 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Matt: the fact that so many people from different viewpoints are uniformly praising your efforts is a testament to the job you've done and your even-handed approach. Thanks for all you've done, and good luck in your new position.
Kim Rodrigues Sutherland
6:04 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Thanks Matt. You've done a tremendous job getting this website up, running, and robust with content! Best wishes.
Marie
9:47 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
So no more business hours at the Goose. Best of luck to you Matt. You've made the Patch an interesting read.
Tracy
9:47 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Good Luck.... I want to thank you for helping me out when we were without power due to the hurricane and had no power in Tiverton. I wiish you all the best.
Joanne Arruda
9:47 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Thank you Matt for what you've done for Tiverton. I wish you all the best in your new job, and you will be missed. You constantly tried to keep the information on Patch fair and balanced in doing so you gave all parties a voice!
All the best and much success in the future.
Joanne
camille67
9:47 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Matt, "ditto" jim pelletier above in every way, even though we've never met in person. I want to wish you God's Blessings on you in all your future endeavors, young man. I'm sure you have nothing but great things to look forward to in your life!!! You've always been so kind and respectful to me in the past (via correspondence).
EMB
6:36 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Matt, you became a valued part of our day and our community in a very short time. We will miss you, and hope you will let us know where your ship finally anchors - via Patch, of course. Best, Eileen Browning
Kristen
6:36 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Good luck Matt. Thank you for your dedication.
Erin O'Connell Bednarczyk
6:56 am on Sunday, June 17, 2012
OMG, Consensus. Here, we have a topic upon which all Tivertonians/Little Comptonians, past and present, AGREE. Matt, you have done an exemplary job and you will be sorely missed. Until further notice, your name will be synonymous with the golden age of The Patch, in our area. I always wondered how one person could cover so much, so well. "Does he Tweet in his sleep?" Amazing coverage... really. Thank you, Matt, and best of luck to you!
Matthew Sanderson
8:29 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012
Thanks for all the kind words everyone! I meant to reply sooner but I've been traveling and moving. I will never forget you and the great things you've had to say.
On Monday, July 2, I officially start as the new editor of Pacific Palisades Patch, a beautiful suburb in Los Angeles, CA. Link here: http://pacificpalisades.patch.com/