Today is my last day as editor of Rockville Centre Patch.
Whenever I've left a job, I always felt like I couldn't wait to leave. It's different with this one. I'm from Rockville Centre. I went to school here. My family lives here.
But there comes a time in everyone's life when opportunity knocks, and when that door opens, you have to walk through it.
I built Rockville Centre Patch 2.5 years ago with the intent of creating a news source where RVC residents could go for daily news and share creative ideas. We've posted more than 3,000 articles during my tenure, and though not all comments have been constructive — you know who you are — many have used RVC Patch to better the village and make it a great place to live. And for that, I thank you.
I love this village, and though there are those who try to bring RVC down, it is filled with warm, caring, generous and simply put, good people.
There are so many people I'd like to thank for helping make RVC Patch successful, and I'd be remiss if I didn't give them their proper due.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Johnson, thank you for opening the doors of the Rockville Centre School District to an old South Side HS alum, and being so amenable to my requests to cover RVC schools.
To the SSHS sports coaches, particularly Gerry D'Angelo, Katie Dunn and Keith Lessuk. The most fun I've had at Patch over the last two years was when I covered your teams. I couldn't help but root for the Cyclones, and as a journalist, we're not supposed to take sides! Your open and honest answers to my questions — win or lose — was always a bright spot in my often hectic days.
I'll never forget watching Gerry's boys lose in the first round of the 2011 hoops playoffs — I was depressed for an entire week — only to see them celebrate a county title on the Hofstra University court a year later. It is something I'll never forget.
To the parents, in particular the basketball dads and baseball team parents. Without your help, I'm not sure that RVC Patch would have gained the traction it did in the community. I'll never forget sitting on the bleachers at Barasch Field, rain or shine, with some of the most dedicated parents I've ever met. Thank you Billy and Ellen Cameron, Nancy and Dave Howard, Tom Kane, Pete Matarazzo, the Colletti's and the Tammaro's for making me feel like a part of this community; and that my work was appreciated.
To the former village board — Mayor Mary Bossart and Trustee Dave Krasula — for accepting this new form of media with opens arms. And to the new board — Mayor Murray, Kevin Glynn, Mike Sepe and Nancy — thank you for keeping the lines of communication open even when those who negatively used Patch tried to sever our relationship.
And to Trustee Ed Oppenheimer, thank you for all your help when I couldn't make it to a fire scene, your great photos and helpful insight.
To chiefs John Busching and Charles Gennario, thank you for always filling me in on breaking news as it happened, even if it meant taking time out of your busy schedule to do so.
And my biggest thanks goes to you, the loyal readers of RVC Patch. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today, and for that, I'm forever grateful.
Associate Regional Editor Matt Hogan will be running the site now, and you can reach him via email at matthew.hogan@patch.com.
I'll still be living in RVC, so if you see me around town, don't hesitate to stop me and say hello ... unless it's to vent about something Frank wrote in the comments section.
