A refugee from the newspaper industry, Greg Johnston has been a journalist for more than 30 years, most of them with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, which vanished into the pages of history in March of 2009. He also served for four years as wire editor/reporter at The Daily World in Aberdeen on the Washington Coast, and worked as a news writer and wirephoto operator at the Associated Press Seattle bureau while attending the University of Washington. Greg graduated from the UW's School of Communications in the Rose Bowl victory year of 1978 – Go Dawgs!
He sees in Patch the opportunity to continue doing what he does: real, honest journalism, now on line, at a hyper-local level, in his hometown. Adventure-oriented since a child, Greg loves to hike, backpack, fish, ride his mountain bike, run, kayak, snowboard and take nature photographs.
He lives on Finn Hill with his wife and has three grown children, one a U.S. Army infantryman and Afghanistan War veteran, and two beautiful grandchildren.
<b>Your Beliefs</b>
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.
<b>Politics</b>
How would you describe your political beliefs? Are you registered with a certain party?
I am fiscally conservative and socially liberal. I support a strong military, but believe the answer to conflict is tolerance, understanding, diplomacy and dialogue. I dream of the day Americans can withdraw from foreign conflict and look inward to address issues such as unemployment, homelessness, poverty and environmental protection. I am not a member of any party.
<b>Religion</b>
How religious would you consider yourself?
I was baptized a Christian and would call myself spiritual, but not devout. I find peace in nature, in the Pacific Northwest's mountains, forests, rivers and seas and along its magnificent ocean shoreline.
<b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b>
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
Where do you stand on each of these issues?
Kirkland is a relatively affluent, largely suburban bedroom community where quality of life issues are important. The challenge will be maintaining a vibrant downtown and neighborhoods while preserving their small-town charm. I think quality of life should not be sacrificed for economic development; rather, I think maintaining a high quality of life is essential to a strong economy.
Residents of the downtown retirement community perform their version of the flash mob phenom based on the famous Michael Jackson video.
New boundaries would split the recently annexed area away from the rest of Kirkland and District 6, putting it into District 1 to the north.
Letter writer says the project would put too many people in too small of a space for a residential neighborhood.
The Kirkland fire marshal is advising residents around the high school to expect some pyrotechnics and take care of their dogs.
The Seattle King County Realtors' environmental council sponsored a work party Friday to restore native habitat along Kirkland's Everest Creek.
The contractor is increasing work hours starting Monday to beat the approaching nasty fall weather, so the city is advising drivers to find alternate routes.
The all-volunteer Eastside Assistance League helps local kids in need get new duds with Operation School Bell, and Thursday evening the students shopped at the Kirkland Fred Meyer.
The public is being asked to take an on-line survey by Oct. 28 about whether tobacco use should be banned in parks, at sports fields and in other public outdoor places. You can take our Patch poll too.
Super affectionate 1.5-year-old cat is Mr. Personality and makes friends in an instant.
The Concerned Citizens of Kirkland recently began putting out signs saying, "Reject Bob Sternoff for Ethics Violations," because of a 2009 controversy over questionable emails sent by the city councilman.
Other recent cases include a beer bottle assault, cash theft from purses at a downtown restaurant and an extremely intoxicated reckless driver.
Event will include cultural displays, children's activities, traditional food and more.
Junior Jillian Roels was recognized for making a positive impact in the community.
Today most of the houses built for shipyard workers during World War II have been replaced, and the Lakeview Terrace community center is long gone, the site now a park.
IAFF Local 2950 president Greg Ahearn counters allegations from fire board commissioner Bob Miller.
Authors are coming to Kirkland, Woodinville, Lake Forest Park and Seattle to talk about their books.
U.S. News & World Report gives ICS a gold medal; Bellevue's International School and Redmond High are also recognized.
Event organizers added an extra screening on Saturday after the first show sold out.
Take a look at some of the colorful people Patch has discovered over the last several months while covering our busy little city.
Banks and federal offices are closed today and there is no mail delivery.
