Nathan Duke, Patch Staff

Email: Nathan.Duke@patch.com

Phone: 718-207-1460

Hometown: Huntington, West Virginia

Birthday: August 31, 1977

Welcome Video: http://patch.com/A-YGX

Bio

I've been covering Queens as a reporter for five years and have written stories on everything from politics and local government to the arts, crime, local community boards and the daily goings-on of neighborhoods across the borough, including Douglaston, Bayside, Little Neck, Astoria, Long Island City, Maspeth, Ridgewood, Glendale and Middle Village.

After graduating with a bachelor's degree in film from Boston's Emerson College and a master's degree in journalism from New York University, I wrote for Your Neighborhood News in Manchester, New Hampshire. In 2005, I joined the staff of the TimesLedger Newspapers, where I began my training on how to cover the streets of Queens.

Queens is my home and I love all that it has to offer. The borough is considered one of the most diverse places on the planet. It is an exciting place to work and live because this diversity is reflected not only in the people I meet, but also in its arts and cultural centers, political views, religious beliefs, shops and restaurants.

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? 

As a journalist, I believe it is fundamental that both sides of the political spectrum are fairly represented. I've covered numerous debates, elections and contentious political issues and have always given equal weight to varying opinions.

Are you registered with a certain party? 

I am registered as a Democrat.

Religion How religious would you consider yourself? 

I'm not a very religious person. I would describe my religious beliefs as casual. My feelings are mixed on organized religion, but I have my own beliefs and respect those of others.

Local Hot-Button Issues What do you think are the most important issues facing the community? 

 The neighborhood is among the borough's wealthiest, but its residents often complain that its status as an affluent community prevent it from getting its fair share from the city and state. A large percent of the community's shops and restaurants are independently operated with owners who are concerned that the neighborhood's high taxes could force them out of business.

 Douglaston residents have also long fought to prevent over-development from ruining its historic character. Other important issues in the community include a renovation of its sewer system to prevent flooding after rainstorms and an ongoing effort to revitalize the Douglaston Village shopping strip.