Basics

• Email: Bob.Byrne@patch.com
• Phone: 610-392-5200
• Native of: Wilmington, DE

Bob Byrne has lived in the Western Suburbs of Philadelphia for the past 15 years. A veteran journalist, Bob started his professional career covering local and state politics and events at WILM all-news radio in Wilmington, Delaware while studying  at the University of Delaware. After three years as a reporter and talk show host Bob went to Washington where he covered Capitol Hill, The White House and Supreme Court for 50 local radio and TV stations across the country before covering national and world news as a producer at Mutual/NBC Radio Networks.

His local television career took him to Miami, Atlanta, and Los Angeles before returning home to the Delaware Valley. Before joining Patch in April, 2011 Bob was a media consultant and freelance writer/videographer. He spent most the past decade as a producer with CBS at KYW-TV / The CW Philly.

Bob has been honored with seven regional Emmy Awards and more than 30 nominations for his work as a news and promotion writer and producer.

A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Bob is a single dad with three daughters, who keep him "well grounded and connected to what's important to Pennsylvania families as well as to elementary, middle and high school kids." 

In his spare time ("is there any with three busy kids?) Bob enjoys travel and ships ("I got to cross the Atlantic on QM2 this past summer!"), finding great bargains, and his favorite time is spent just hanging out and laughing with his three daughters.

Your Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.

Politics 
How would you describe your political beliefs?
Are you registered with a certain party?

The nation's forefathers invested a great deal of time, scholarship, research and debate into establishing the Constitution and political framework for this country. I think they got it right and established laws and systems for making adjustments as needed over time. 

I believe elected officials of any political stripe work for the public and should be accountable for their decisions.  A free press has always been a critical part of the equation. 

I am not a "party line" voter. Because Pennsylvania does not have an open primary system, I have changed party registrations over the years in order to vote for issues or candidates I felt strongly about.

Religion
How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)

I am not "religious" but I do have deep faith.

Local Hot-Button Issues
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
Where do you stand on each of these issues?

While I am still immersing myself in the areas I cover, I think the economy and security (ranging from personal to neighborhood to community and out to the nation and the world) are universal issues. As a parent I want what's best for my kids and their futures.

I look forward to meeting and learning from folks in the communities I cover about the issues that are important in their daily lives.