A message from the publisher:
I am enormously pleased to announce that Andy Tomolonis has been promoted to editor of The New Bedford Light, effective July 15.
Andy has been with us since The Light’s inception, helping to craft our mission of high-impact local news and community connection since well before we first published two years ago. As managing editor, he has carried out that mission with skill and passion. I have no doubt he will lead us forward with an unwavering commitment to independent, fact-based journalism of the highest quality.
“I’m extremely proud of the work The Light has accomplished in the past two years,” said Tomolonis. “And I’m thrilled at the opportunity to lead our talented editorial team in the years to come, as we continue to provide meaningful community journalism, give voice to those who are aching to be heard, and find new ways to celebrate the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene.”
Andy will take the reins next month from Founding Editor Barbara Roessner, who will resume her attempt to retire from the rigors of newsroom life. “I was on my way to slowing down when the opportunity to create a new kind of local news outlet came along, and I couldn’t resist,” she says. “I’ve been in the news business for more than 40 years, and I know firsthand how vital public service journalism is to the health of a community. I’m truly honored to have helped make it happen in the incredible City of New Bedford.”
In his new leadership role, Andy, 67, will assume responsibility for all editorial content and newsroom operations, reporting directly to the publisher. He is uniquely qualified for the job, with more than 30 years of leadership experience working for community newspapers, metropolitan dailies, national magazines and media websites, including the Boston Herald, New York Post, MetroWest News, and the Cape Cod Times. More recently, he was managing editor of The Standard-Times of New Bedford and its website, southcoasttoday.com.
He is also an accomplished blues musician, small-scale organic farmer, and nationally recognized gardening columnist who wrote the comprehensive guide to backyard agriculture, “Organic Hobby Farming: A Practical Guide to Earth-Friendly Farming in Any Space.” He has a keen interest in environmental issues, which will be a major focus of The Light’s work in the coming year.
Bobbie, who turns 70 this year, will remain active as an ardent ambassador of The Light. A former managing editor of The Hartford Courant and executive editor of Hearst Connecticut Media, she will also continue on the board of the New England First Amendment Coalition, advocating for open government and press freedom.
Steve Taylor
Founding Publisher
Thank you to our sponsors
Founding benefactors: Joan and Irwin Jacobs fund of the Jewish Community Foundation, Mary and Jim Ottaway
Learn more about our community of individual donors
For questions about donations, contact Chrystal Walsh, director of advancement, at cwalsh@newbedfordlight.org.
For questions about sponsoring The Light, contact Peter Andrews, director of business development and community engagement, at pandrews@newbedfordlight.org.