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.
Recent New England transplant Marina Moscovici writes a "Letter to the Editor" asking for the community's support for the MIHS Fine Arts Showcase and for support for this April's Special Election School Bond issue.
The Islanders hope to improve on last season's 7-7 record in 2A/3A KingCo play with a confidence-boosting win on Saturday at reigning 4A state champ Bothell. They lost a tight 4-3 game to Newport earlier on Thursday.
Vote in our poll and let us know which burrito joint is your favorite in the comments.
The following homes are holding open houses this Sunday, March 25.
Mercer Island Patch is hosting a table in the Mercer Island Community and Event Center for the Mercer Island Half Marathon Pre-Race Expo.
Please visit the Mercer Island Patch table at the Pre-Race Expo on Saturday and Race Village in the MICEC on Sunday!
Mercer Island 23-year-old Timothy Richard Wettack was killed when his motorcycle went over a barrier on an I-5 off-ramp headed towards I-90 and Mercer Island.
Check out our picks for the top activities and hot spots to hit this weekend, March 23-25.
Mercer Island Community Center had the most votes in our third Readers' Choice poll, and the Roanoke Inn came in second.
Sports Brief: Girls Varsity Tennis at Mt. Si High School, March 22
Mercer Island Martial Arts had the most votes in our Readers' Choice poll, but runner-up Karate West also had fans and dozens of supportive comments and reviews.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service and UW weather guru Cliff Mass are predicting a mostly dry spring weekend.
The former Woodinville High School Principal will reportedly take over from MIHS Interim Principal Pat Blix after a transition period this spring and summer.
Vicki Puckettt, former WHS principal, will reportedly take over from MIHS Interim Principal Pat Blix after a transition period this spring and summer.
Youth athletes from Mercer Island Girls Select Basketball teams excel in season-ending tournaments.
Given possible upcoming winter driving conditions, Washingtonians have two extra weeks to get the studs off this year.
Local resident Carole Clarke writes in a letter to the editor that the school bond is not the best for local children, community or property values.
New Mercer Island parent (and proud dog owner) David Hetzel writes in a letter to the editor that MISD school facilities are failing students, teachers and the school district and it's time the community finally did something about it.
Mercer Island City Council approved posting signs to restrict tobacco use in public parks at a March 19 meeting.
Officials say that any "garden-variety" plants can become noxious weeds in King County when not disposed of properly.
