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.
A "Grand Opening Week" starting on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. will feature a variety of Menchie's-themed give-aways, discounts and more.
Former Mercer Island Mayor Jim Pearman writes in a letter to the editor that a 2011 near-fatal heart attack made him acutely aware of the need to improve Emergency Response services on Mercer Island.
Seattle Police say a Mercer Island man is still under investigation after he was arrested Aug. 15 on suspicion of attempted rape, according to the SeattlePI.com
The following information from Oct. 9-13 was supplied by the Mercer Island Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
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!
Administrative Law Judge Michelle C. Mentzer ruled on Oct. 15 in Seattle that the Mercer Island School District failed to resolve complaints of racial discrimination concerning a seventh-grader at Islander Middle School.
Popular teen-lifestyles and family advice author, speaker Vanessa Van Petten will offer parents tips on understanding the world of teenagers, "Teen Secret Communication 101" on Oct. 22 at Mercer Island High School.
Mercer Island Police say two African American men driving a stolen SUV on Mercer Island yesterday evening tried to hijack a car at gunpoint at around 7:30 pm on the 5000 block of 84th AVE SE.
Get the Latest updates from Mercer Island City Council, including business concerning the city budget, shoreline Improvements, CTC & Emergency Preparedness Reports and more...
Mercer Island City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2013-2014 biennial budget, consider funding for shoreline and stormwater improvements at Calkins Landing and and receive reports from local volunteers.
Resident Joy Matsuura asks in a letter to the editor if funds raised by a proposed new utility tax, utility rate hikes and a property tax increase are truly necessary.
This Sunday is the last regularly scheduled farmers market — the last market of the season will be a special "Harvest Market" on Sunday Nov. 18, right before Thanksgiving.
A 4th quarter touchdown leads the Islanders to a 4-1 mark in the 2A/3A KingCo conference standings.
The following homes are holding open houses this Sunday, Oct. 14.
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!
The following information from Oct. 3-7 was supplied by the Mercer Island Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
Patch asks City Finance Director Chip Corder to answer nine questions concerning Prop. 1, a tax-levy increase for tearing down and rebuilding a larger, modernized Station 92 and a new fire rescue truck.
Sales closed on 31 single-family homes last month— the highest number sold in September since 2005
The “typical” Mercer Island household could see an average annual increase of $96.24 in taxes and fees — not including a possible voter approved tax increase of $60.20 for the Fire Station/Truck levy.
Maintenance work on trees near utility power lines along Island Crest Way has crews busy preparing for coming winter storms.
