Jim's first experience out of high school was two-fold – playing guitar in John Lee Hooker's band, and leading his own five-piece band, Colefeat. His first "day job" was as a copy boy at the Oakland Tribune in the mid and late 1970s, the last days of the old-school newspaper men and women. Cigarettes, coffee and alcohol were the fuels that drove those newsrooms, along with an unmitigated love of the business, and the integrity of the people's right to know.
In the 1980s, Jim was a reporter for the Martinez News Gazette, the Oakland Tribune, and other publications. After a brief stint at the Antioch Daily Ledger, Jim returned to the city of Martinez as public information officer, deputy city clerk, and assistant city manager. He went on to work in corporate communications for the Bayer Corp. and Kaiser Permanente before launching Martinez Patch.
My Beliefs: I believe that government needs everyone's participation to work correctly. I believe it is the media's job to inspire and inform that participation. I believe everyone has a fascinating story to tell. I believe that shouting your opinions makes you less likely to be understood. I believe that music is essential to happiness, and that auto-tune is detrimental to music. I believe that my responsibility as a journalist in your community is a sacred trust, one that I will do everything in my power to live up to and fulfill.
Politics: I am a social liberal, and a fiscal moderate. I believe the worst thing to happen in politics lately is the entrenched, dogmatic "us vs. them" attitude inspired by and fed by cable TV talking heads. The key to political success: listening.
Religion: I am a practicing Buddhist.
Local Hot-Button Issues: Should downtown strive for constant growth and renewal, or should it maintain a small-town feel? This seems to be the overriding question in terms of development. The balance between spending on cultural enhancement vs. police and public safety services also seems constantly at odds.
Despite news reports that Garrett Hand and Jamie Neal have been found on a Peruvian river, Hand's mother says more information is needed before the celebrating begins.
Despite news reports that Garrett Hand and Jamie Neal have been found on a Peruvian river, Hand's mother says more information is needed before the celebrating begins.
The money will come from the district's insurance pool, not its general fund, officials say.
Nermin Kamel says that despite some initial growing pains as a new principal, her decision to leave is for purely personal reasons.
30-year-old Bethel Island man was last seen at the county hospital on Feb. 5.
The Montana native was a teacher at Alhambra High School from 1958 to 1995. Was she your teacher?
Residents in the Brown St. area around Alhambra Ave. and Berrellesa St. were without water service much of Sunday as crews repaired a broken line.
A plea for understanding that some of what is wrong in the world might just be found in the mirror.
Here are some stories you may have missed in Martinez Patch this week.
Here are some stories you may have missed this week on Pleasant Hill Patch.
Here's a look at some of the stories you may have missed from last week's Lamorinda Patch.
The Ohio native grew up in Concord.
Here are some stories you may have missed in last week's Walnut Creek Patch.
Here are some stories you may have missed last week on Concord Patch.
Who would you choose for this annual honor?
A long-time Martinez favorite is gone, and a new eatery takes its place at the Muir Station Shopping Center.
The renowned musician has been praised by musicians and audiences alike for her virtuosity.
Mayor Michael Harris' state of the city address is being televised this month. Here's the schedule.
The City Council tonight will consider spending $40,000 on a study for a long-sought waterfront restaurant. Some thoughts. . .
Here are some stories you may have missed last week.