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.
Group KDOG is barking for votes and hopes to win $100,000, but an off-leash park in the Totem Lake area is on schedule for a fall opening regardless.
Crews restored power within 50 minutes, but about 8,000 gallons of wastewater overflowed into the storm drain system and some reached the lake.
Waste Management will begin installing 46 compactors on July 18, and 23 of them will be coupled with recycle containers.
New location on Kirkland Avenue better suited to serve tourists, downtown businesses.
Nonprofit with offices in Kirkland and specializing in youth counseling adds parenting specialist Jennifer Watanabe to its roster.
Pacific Distillery makes absinthe from a 100-year-old recipe, and no, it won't make you hallucinate.
In another case, a 32-year-old Seattle man was arrested for burglary, theft and malicious mischief after a break-in.
Kurt Triplett tells a Chamber of Commerce luncheon that 520 tolls will have a major impact, 85th Street construction is upcoming, and the city will look at a possible vehicle tab fee.
The two-day event includes individual and team races featuring champion cyclists.
As fans get ready for the July 15 opening of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2" - the final movie in the series - remember, there are plenty of other places to get your wizard fix.
"Transit-Oriented Development" would add affordable housing, commercial space and parking stalls to the at-capacity park and ride that borders Bellevue and Kirkland.
Kirkland Mayor Joan McBride applauds the unanimous vote on "Transit-Oriented Development" that would add affordable housing, commercial space and parking stalls to the at-capacity park and ride.
Pretty 2-year-old was rescued from a hoarding situation with 10 other cats in a small apartment.
From July 11-28, helicopters will measure the normal levels of radiation in the Puget Sound region, starting with Bellevue and Seattle and moving on to Kirkland and others areas, as part of disaster preparedness, according to the Department of Health.
Urban planning think tank will brief the public on revitalization ideas during the July 20 meeting at Northwest University.
The Washington State Department of Transportation wraps up one full weekend closure, announces next full weekend closure for Aug. 26-29.
Darren Nicholas has plenty of experience in the local food and beverage industry, also having served as manager of Yarrow Bay Grill.
Things you might want to now today, Saturday, July 9, 2011.
The vintage 1929 American LaFrance pump truck is still a beauty, still runs and is brought out every year for the Fourth of July parade.
The temporary state law gives Kirkland more flexibility in the use of real estate excise taxes. Some of the money will also be used for maintenance, seasonal crews and cleaning and preservation of the city's public art.
