James Baer, Patch Staff

Jim has been a journalist almost as long as he has been alive. He reported sports in high school and college and launched a serious career while serving as a journalist in the United States Navy. He was a broadcaster, writer and editor while serving for nearly four years during the Vietnam era.  He was sports editor of the St. Louis Suburban Journals for 16 years and at the same time, served as an on the air personality, reporting prep and amateur sports for KMOX -- CBS Radio in St.Louis, Jim has held several public relations and marketing positions in and out of sports, service organizations and education.

<strong>Jim&#39;s Video</strong> http://patch.com/A-czll

<br><b>Your Beliefs <br></b>

<b><br> </b>Above all, I believe in honesty and integrity in news reporting. I feel it is very important to get the whole story, making sure everyone has a chance to tell his or her story. No one source has the final word on any news report. I feel it is important that readers check out multiple sources for their news information, rather than relying on one single source.

<br>At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. We will count on our many sources to be honest and honorable so that our reporting will reflect that accuracy.

<b>Politics </b><br>I&#39;m a registered Democrat and I feel very strongly about liberal issues.<br><br><b>Religion</b>

I grew up in the Jewish faith and my family and I practice our religion when at all possible. We do observe the major holidays of the faith.<br><br><b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b>

There are no major hot button issues for Ladue or Frontenac. Both are very established and stable communities and my goal is reporting on the who, what, when and where of these outstanding communities in Central West St. Louis County.