Chris Helms, Patch Staff

Email chrish@patch.com

Phone 617-680-5155

Hometown Wingate, North Carolina

Birthday Dec. 16, 1969

Bio: I have 17 years of experience at newspapers as an editor and reporter. Most recently, I was the founding editor for Jamaica Plain Patch. My wife and I live in Salem now in my role as an associate regional manager for Patch sites on the North Shore.

I'm a proud expatriate North Carolinian who grew up in a small college town east of Charlotte. I live on Buffum Street Street with my wife, Jane, and two cats: Josie and Carlos.

If I don't already know you, I look forward to meeting you around the neighborhood!

My 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.

Politics

As far as ideals, I'm a democratic socialist. In practice, I'm an unenrolled voter who mostly votes for Democrats. However, I did once vote for a Republican, so I like to think I keep an open mind.

Religion

I'm an atheist. I prefer the term "naturalist," since I see my lack of belief in the supernatural as a positive. I respect people who believe otherwise, however, and think religious institutions do a great deal of good.