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.
The famous James Bond Aston Martin will be among many classics at the Carillon Point show. The city is advising regular motorists to expect heavy traffic on nearby streets.
Board members are inviting annexation area residents and want to hear what all neighbors think about city grant funding proposals at the Sept. 19 meeting.
Mr. Wieman was was instrumental in starting the Kiwanis' Iodine Deficiency Disorder Program.
County executive launches the awards program to recognize small businesses that best demonstrate innovation and excellence.
Are you an avid high school football fan? Patch wants to help share your opinions, observations, photos and predictions on this year's fall sports season.
Crowd packs the popular downtown diner to party and reflect on all those years in Kirkland.
Residents on the affected streets will not be allowed to drive in or out of their driveways for about eight hours on the day of the work.
A fixture atop Rose Hill for decades, the historic treasure went up in smoke sometime in the late 1960s or early '70s.
Friendly four-year-old with a curly tail much prefers the company of humans.
Authorities say that while working in the Kirkland office of the Cartus Corporation, Manyvone Phanhsiry of Lynnwood carried out a scheme to steal money from intern housing accounts.
A veritable downtown institution, the popular Kirkland Ave diner is inviting all its friends and family to gather and reflect on all those years.
Authorities say that while working in the Kirkland office of the Cartus Corporation, Manyvone Phanhsiry of Lynnwood carried out a scheme to steal money from intern housing accounts.
Indictment alleges 49-year-old Randall Morrison embezzled more than $112,000 from Ronald McDonald House.
September Puget Sound Energy bill mailings literally will stink. Customers will get scratch-and-sniff pamphlets in their energy bills to help identify natural gas leaks.
WSDOT officials delay the tolling of the 520 bridge to December, eight months after the tolls originally were scheduled to start.
The volunteer service club surveyed representatives of 19 organizations to find out the needs in the city that are not being met.
Volunteers with construction skills are needed to help fence and get open Kirkland's first off-leash dog park during several work parties in September and October.
In other reports, a counterfeit $20 was passed at a downtown burger joint, two men were arrested in a big fight outside a Kingsgate bar and a theft victim pays a price for leaving a bag unattended.
Roadwork on I-90 and SR 520 are responsible for lane closures and express lane swaps starting Wednesday through the end of the week.
Donations of school backpacks and supplies can be dropped off at The Game restaurant in Juanita.
