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.
An unnamed FBI agent who initiated the investigation ultimately leading to CIA Director David Petraeus's resignation on Friday contacted Reichert this summer out of concern "officials were going to sweep the matter under the rug."
Mercer Island Mayor Bruce Bassett writes in a letter to the editor that health risks have increased for local youth after the approval of Initiative 502, which partially legalizes marijuana.
The artisan take-and-bake pizza shop on SE 27th Street is celebrating one year in business with a half-off special on Pizzas Tuesday and Wednesday (Nov. 13 & 14).
The following homes are holding open houses this Sunday, Nov. 11.
Mercer Island Resident Ralph Jorgenson Encourages Islanders in a letter to the editor to Participate in the Mercer Island School District MindMixer™ Public Process website.
The Mercer Island High School Drama Department presents a theatrical production based on Moliere's "A Doctor In Spite of Himself", Nov. 8-10 and Nov. 15-17.
Charles Chesterfield, a registered securities broker dealer, kept loan payoffs and provided false statements to investors
King County Sheriff Steve Strachan conceded the race for King County Sheriff on Thursday.
Every Thursday we'll feature a photograph of something delicious from a Mercer Island restaurant. Be the first to guess the restaurant—and the dish—correctly on Mercer Island Patch, and win a prize!
In exchange for participating in the state Urban Forestry Restoration Project, Mercer Island will receive an in-kind grant of manpower to remove invasives and restore native plant life in Pioneer Park this November.
The No. 1-seed Islanders have their eyes on the championship title after failing to reach this phase of the tournament last year, while No. 8-seed Puyallup seeks respect.
Former Mercer Island Mayor Jim Pearman writes in a letter to the editor to extend his gratitude to volunteers, city officials and the community as a whole for supporting the Fire Station/Truck levy.
A wave of late ballots delays King County Elections results on Wednesday, but voters can check the status of their ballots online.
Prop. 1 is currently passing with 56.48 percent of the vote. Approval of 50 percent is required for passage of the new property tax, estimated at $60.20 annually for the average MI home.
Former King County spokesman John Urquhart leads King County Sheriff Steve Strachan with over 15 percent of the vote.
So far, only about 45 percent of registered voters' ballots have been counted in the 41st Legislative District, but both Steve Litzow and Marcie Maxwell have pulled out commanding leads in early tallies.
Local resident Ken Glass writes in a letter to the editor his shock and dismay upon being informed by State Farm Insurance that it wouldn't honor a claim, following the sudden death of a family member.
Keep up with the latest City Council developments on Mercer Island Patch.
Tonight's meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with a study session on I-90 tolling, followed by its regular meeting at 7 p.m. when the public will have the opportunity to comment on Mercer Island's proposed 2013-14 budget.
The following homes are holding open houses this Sunday, Nov. 4.
