Melissa Lattman, Patch Staff

E-mail: melissa.lattman@patch.com

Phone: (727) 424-7918

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

Bio: Melissa is the editor of Largo Patch. She graduated from Northeastern University in Boston with a M.A. in Journalism in 2007. Melissa started as a reporter in New Hampshire covering for two years the community where she lived.

Then the Sunshine State and warmer weather called. Melissa freelanced for a couple of Pinellas County weekly publications before finding Patch in August 2011.  For 11 months she contributed to various Pinellas Patch sites and served as Guest Editor for Largo.

Before pursuing the dream since second-grade of being a journalist, Melissa worked for a computer services company and taught sixth-grade.

Your 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 you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you 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 was raised by a single-father who was a very, faithful Democrat. Through various life experiences my political beliefs lean toward the conservative side.

Currently, I am a registered Republican but I vote based on candidates and issues not party politics.

With my coverage, I intend to be completely fair and objective. Religion How religious would you consider yourself?

Going to church was not a regular part of my childhood. For my undergraduate degree I ended up going to a Lutheran college and a personal Christian faith walk is now part of my adult life. I have compassion and respect for all people; trying to treat others, as I wish to be treated.

Local Hot Button Issues

What will downtown Largo look like? The city continues to encourage community redevelopment and growth around town and in its downtown/West Bay Drive area.

How to improve transportation in town? Road construction is all around Largo. Public safety on the roads is a big concern. Largo is currently working on plans for efficient and safe travel routes.

How will Largo keep the level of service its residents would like while trimming the city budget? For about six years faced with less revenue, the city has made budget cuts.