Email: william.mansell@patch.com	
Phone: 941-387-6494
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Birthday: 03/04/1986
Bio: William Mansell was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri where he developed his love for journalism reading the Kansas City Star. His dream job was to be cover sports for a living. After high school, William decided to pursue journalism in college. He attended and obtained and Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri.
At the Columbia Missourian, William was a sports reporter, copy editor and web editor. It was while working for the Missourian that William learned he loved all facets of journalism. From there, William moved to Sarasota in September 2009 and became a reporter with the Pelican Press. In March of 2010, William expanded his role in journalism by entering the management field. He became the editorial director of Home Renovation Magazine in Orlando while continuing to live and report in Sarasota.
In his spare time William enjoys watching the Mizzou Tigers, listening to music and playing basketball. William wishes Kansas City BBQ was available in Florida.
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 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 us 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?
My political beliefs do not fall to the left or right. If I ever strike up a conversation about politics, I usually end up playing devil's advocate. I'm a firm believer in common sense and doing what's right for the greatest amount of people.
Are you registered with a certain party?
I am not registered with any party nor will I probably ever be. Both sides are wrong more then right.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)
I'm a believer in Christ, faith and the Bible, but not in religion. I think religion tends to divide people. Looking at the world's wars, struggle and conflicts, differences in religion are almost always at the heart of the disagreement.
Local Hot-Button Issues
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
Budgets and Schools. While these issues are nationwide problems, budgets and our school systems always bring about the most debate. Property values have fallen drastically and local municipalities and governments have been left with a smaller pool of money. Government entities are faced with either raising taxes or making drastic cuts.
Where do you stand on each of these issues?
When people and the community are struggling financially, that is not the time raises taxes. Governments should try to make financial decisions with the people in mind first, not special interests or projects.
The organization said with proven success in limiting crashes and with dwindling city resources for more officers, red light camera programs are an asset for Florida cities.
Pinellas County's Clerk of the Circuit Court will be holding its annual group wedding ceremony on Valentine's Day at the Florida Botanical Gardens. If you want to participate, you're encouraged to sign up now.
Police say that no one was injured, and that the suspect is in custody.
Pasco deputies say the girl may be involved in “high-risk activity.”
According to St. Petersburg Police, the pedestrian was intentionally blocking the street and ran after a vehicle.
U.S. Reps. C.W. Bill Young and Kathy Castor, whose districts include Pinellas County, voted yes on the fiscal cliff deal. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson voted yes, while U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio voted no.
U.S. Reps. C.W. Bill Young and Kathy Castor, whose districts include Pinellas County, voted yes on the fiscal cliff deal. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson voted yes, while U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio voted no.
On Jan. 12, as students are returning from winter break, USF St. Petersburg is hosting a food truck rally.
U.S. Reps. C.W. Bill Young and Kathy Castor, whose districts include Pinellas County, voted yes on the fiscal cliff deal. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson voted yes, while U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio voted no.
This is the third multi-million dollar drug haul the Coast Guard has seized and then docked in St. Pete in the last four months.
The blues and soul diva will be at the Mahaffey Theater on Jan. 19. Tickets start at $26.58.
What are you doing this weekend, St. Pete?
Each week, St. Pete Patch features an adoptable pet of the week from Pet Pal Animal Shelter.
The driver of the Suzuki was transported to Bayfront Medical Center with serious injuries. Police believe alcohol was not a factor in the crash.
A timetable dictates that the Redistricting Commission submit its report to City Council on Feb. 15, with a final City Council deadline of May 12 to complete redistricting.
U.S. Reps. C.W. Bill Young and Kathy Castor, whose districts include Pinellas County, voted yes on the fiscal cliff deal. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson voted yes, while U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio voted no.
The comet was discovered by two amateur astronomers in September.
U.S. Reps. C.W. Bill Young and Kathy Castor, whose districts include Pinellas County, voted yes on the fiscal cliff deal. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson voted yes, while U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio voted no.
Each week, St. Pete Patch features an adorable adoptable pet of the week from SPCA Tampa Bay.
Police said the suspect fired a shot into the ground after demanding entry into his brother's home. He then threatened to shoot himself in a standoff with SWAT members.
