Patch User Profile for Derrick Williams

Derrick Williams, Patch Staff
Lakeville, MN

Hi, I'm Derrick Williams, the editor of Lakeville Patch, the Internet-based, one-stop-shop for all things Lakeville. By day, I write and photograph much of the scintillating news and feature pieces you see here every day. By night, I'm a city council and school board meeting junkie who is devoted to keeping you up to speed on the inner workings of Lakeville's local government and schools.

You probably already know me from my nearly five year experience as the editor of Lakeville's hometown newspaper, the Life & Times. While there, I became fond of Lakeville, a community with a contemporary suburban feel and yet a distinct small-town charm. Whether I was covering Pan-O-Prog big wheel races or Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign stop in 2008, I tried to dive into the community to write the stories people were hungry for.

Professionally, I'm an award-winning writer. I've authored stories that have appeared at TeamUSA.org, home of the United States Olympic Team, as well as local newspapers and websites around the Midwest.

I grew up in Stillwater, MN, and in 2005 graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a degree in journalism. I began my career as a newspaper editor mere months later. But it didn't take long after commencement for me to learn that things were changing quickly.

While I understand that media has changed, I also believe journalism has not. People may no longer need newsprint to dirty their fingers to consume news, but folks will still turn to their computer, smartphone, or other techie gizmo to find the news and information they're looking for.

Coincidentally, in the years while I was working for a newspaper, I also embraced the Internet as a medium for news. I became a social media explorer and new-media pioneer. When presented with the opportunity to bring my passion for journalism to what I feel is the future of news media—the Internet—I jumped at the chance to join Patch.

I live in the community (at the corner of Country Road 46 and Cedar Avenue). My collection of Harry Potter books are among my most prized possessions. I'm an only child; pretty tall (6-9, which is apparently really up there); have four gold fish; a girlfriend; and I wish I still had a Sega Genesis

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 us to inject our beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will cause us 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:

I was a political science minor in college. I loves to talk about all things politics and I invite anyone to call, email or stop me at the coffee shop to delve into any subject you see fit to ask about.

Religion:

I was raised in a Lutheran home. Though, as a child, church wasn't high on my parents' to-do list. That said, I consider myself a spiritual and religious person.

Local hot button issues:

Residents of Lakeville are acutely tuned in to local goings on. At present, property taxes are a huge talking point for residents. So is the Lakeville school district's looming $15.8 million budget deficit for the next biennium. But things aren't always doom and gloom. Lakeville is proud of its arts center and as well as the city being named a Yellow Ribbon community for its support of veterans returning from overseas.