When the good folks from Norton Patch went looking for a columnist, they had one major objective: They wanted a writer who not only knew Norton, but WAS Norton. That led them to me.

You see, I'm sickeningly Norton. I graduated from Norton High School, as did my father, my wife, and both my sons. I got married in Norton. I was elected three times to the Board of Selectmen, served 15 years on the Finance Committee, have been a member of countless other boards and committees, and
currently serve as the elected Town Moderator.

I've covered Norton for a half-dozen different newspapers over the years.

As a columnist, Norton was my topic for almost a decade. I host my own cable show on Norton Cable Access, and have moderated candidate debates in town for many years.

If you cut me, I bleed purple.

So when Norton Patch asked me to be a part of this exciting new venture, how could I say no? Norton begins its fourth century as a town next year, and Norton Patch is ready to join in the celebration. My responsibility as your local columnist will be to offer my opinion on town affairs, both political and otherwise.

You will sometimes agree with me, perhaps more often disagree, and maybe even learn some things you don't know about this great community. A columnist is only successful if he/she can maintain a conversation with the readers, so you are always welcome to add your opinions to mine.

This is our town – yours and mine. It is only as good as we make it, and the same is true for Norton Patch. So let's start a conversation Norton, and see where it takes us.

(Bill Gouveia is a local columnist and the Norton Town Moderator. He can be reached at aninsidelook@aol.com.)