Email: sharon.swanepoel@patch.com
Phone: 770-289-7877
Hometown: Monroe, GA
Birthday: July 18
Bio: Sharon was born and raised in Durban, South Africa, before immigrating to the U.S. in the summer of 1989. She became an American citizen in 1996 and has always lived in either Gwinnett or Walton County. In 1997, she gave up a career in economics and finance to pursue her passion for journalism. After being given a start as a correspondent with The Walton Tribune and The Gwinnett Daily Post, she began working in the GDP newsroom as editorial assistant/staff writer in 2001. After a brief stint as a small business owner with her husband from 2003 to 2005, she joined The Loganville Tribune in 2005, moving to The Walton Tribune in 2010. Between them, Sharon and her husband, Gordon Winterburn, have four grown children - three sons and a daughter and their families - as well as one granddaughter and two grandsons. They live in Monroe with their three rescue cats. When not working, Sharon and Gordon can be found headed for Flagler or Cocoa Beach for Gordon to feed his addiction to waveski surfing and Sharon to spend the time taking photographs or shooting video.
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. We hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will cause us to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
How would you describe your political beliefs? My views were pretty liberal in my youth, then swung more conservative, and are now settled in a more middle-of-the-road position, though I do still consider myself a fiscal conservative. Once a member of the Republican Party, I’m probably more of a Libertarian now. However, I have always believed in voting the person not the party.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself? I consider my views on religion deeply personal to me. I was raised in the Presbyterian Church and since living in the U.S. have attended Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist churches. I don’t attend church regularly, but when I do I find myself most comfortable in a local Methodist Church.
Local Hot-Button Issues
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community? Where do you stand on these issues? Georgia is still battling the liquor and Sunday sales issues and since the General Assembly has passed it back to the local municipalities, it is likely to be a big issue for the remainder of the year. I personally believe this is not an issue the government should be involved in, but I also strongly believe in everybody’s right to have his or her own opinion and to have that opinion respected.
Loganville and Grayson, as well as Walton and Gwinnett counties, are likely to face an ongoing budget battle in figuring out how to do as much if not more with less in the foreseeable future. If gas prices continue their current trend, almost every aspect of the economy will be impacted, including schools and municipalities as they try to provide services. With nobody having much heart for higher taxes at the moment, balancing budgets is likely to continue to be a major issue at all levels of government.
With an advance of $15,000 to furnish a building for the project, the City of Grayson set the wheels in motion to begin an innovative business incubation program in the city.
Don't miss the Saturday morning Farmers Market in downtown Monroe.
With China reported to be increasing its interest in space exploration, is it the right time for the United States to be cutting back?
The number of unemployed workers hasn't wavered much since 2009.
Do you agree with the USADA's decision to strip seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong of his titles and institute a lifetime ban on future competitions?
The Besse Brown Cooper Bridge was dedicated on New Hope Church Road, in the community of Between in Monroe, Ga. on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012.
Two Loganville suspects in a Stewart Road burglary are now behind bars.
Now that we are in the final stretch with two fairly certain choices, what will be key in deciding how you cast your ballot in November?
Who has the best pizza in Loganville or Grayson? How about the best music Act? You voted and here are your picks for Readers' Choice.
Although the newly renovated building has been open for almost a month, .Pinnacle Bank on South Broad Street will have its grand reopening at 11 a.m. today.
A look at top Patch stories from around Georgia.
A look at top Patch stories from around Georgia.
In response to three questions, which will routinely be asked of city officials, here is what Grayson City Administrator Laura Paul-Cone had to say.
The state of Georgia is reported to be issuing licenses to immigrants qualifying for deferred status under the president's new directive. Do you believe this is the right step for the state to be taking?
Labor Day is the last big boating weekend of the year. With so many tragedies on Lake Lanier already this year, the Dept. of Natural Resources is urging caution as the season comes to an end.
Officials with the Georgia State Patrol have confirmed that no charges will be filed against a 20-year-old woman from Oxford who was involved in a collision with a bicycle in Monroe on Wednesday afternoon.
Labor Day is the last big boating weekend of the year. With so many tragedies on Lake Lanier already this year, the Dept. of Natural Resources is urging caution as the season comes to an end.
Today, Aug. 23, 2012, is the inaugural edition of Monroe-GA Patch.
Dawn Clark, pastor of Rivers of Mercy Church on Davis Street in Monroe, has implemented a cultural exchange program designed to help the community explore its full potential.
The city of Winder is hiring for two positions.
