Email: kendall.watson@patch.com
Phone: 206-455-1331
Hometown: Salem, UT
Age: 37
Bio: From 2006 to 2010, I've worked at newspapers in California and Washington state, including the Mercer Island Reporter in 2009 covering education and sports.
Beliefs
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. This disclosure is not a license for us to inject our beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will cause editors to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
How would you describe your political beliefs?
I'm a mixed bag. I strongly believe in the power of the government to act as a force for good and to improve people's lives. It is, after all, made up of people. But I also believe that our elected representatives should be held accountable and spend money they raise for the state carefully and wisely—they should conserve our resources for when we really need them. It is, after all, our money. And finally, we should always be thinking about how our actions affect others, now and in the future—both those we don't know and our loved ones living with us now, as well as our children and grandchildren not yet born.
Are you registered with a certain party?
I am not currently registered with a political party.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself?
I consider myself a casual observer of the mystery of life, and enjoy the multitude of expressions in celebration of it. Heck, it's one of the main reasons I sought out a career in writing. I believe in this.
The following information from June 23-28 was supplied by the Mercer Island Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
Getting the kids decked out in all red, white and blue? Feasting on a delicious barbecue? No matter how you're celebrating, you can post your pics here on Mercer Island Patch.
In case you missed them, here are several of the most-popular Mercer Island news stories we reported on from the last week.
The local real estate branch of Coldwell Banker Bain carries on an Independence Day Island tradition.
Independence Day is a holiday. What's open and what's closed on Mercer Island?
ESPN Rise's "Elite 11" is a five-day quarterback competition that selects some of the nation's top-performing prep football performers.
The following homes are holding open houses this Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3.
The Mercer Island Citizen of the Year previously served as Chief Operating Officer at FOY.
Mercer Island's only fireworks stand is the local service club's largest annual fundraising event.
The school district was considering a 1.9 percent cut in education salaries next year.
Bomb technicians from various agencies set off fireworks contraband to show possibly lethal effects of consumer explosives.
After funding was cut last year from the city budget, City Hall received some last minute pledges from donors that exceeded the $22,850 needed for the show.
A Federal Court rules in favor of former Mercer Island city employee Londi Lindell's claims the city illegally withheld documents that should have been given to her more than two years ago.
Offered a leading role to replace the Mary Wayte Public Pool, the Stroum Jewish Community Center Board of Directors decided earlier this month to pursue other priorities.
In case you missed them, here are several Mercer Island news stories we reported on from the last week.
Each week, I'll pick two or three of the most interesting story or Facebook comments, questions, or Twitter tweets sent to Mercer Island Patch.
The following information from June 20-22 was supplied by the Mercer Island Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
The traditional Summer Celebration art show is now in it's 37th year.
The following homes are holding open houses this Sunday, June 24.
The Mercer Island Schools Foundation formally presented the funds raised from the "Bridge the Gap" fundraising campaign at a June 23 School Board meeting.
