Claudia Cruz, Patch Staff

The former editor of El Correo de Queens and staff reporter for The Queens Courier in New York City, Claudia Cruz enthusiastically moved to the Bay Area to take up the challenge of launching, editing and writing for Mountain View Patch.

With a degree from the City University of New York's (CUNY) Graduate School of Journalism in business and economic reporting and a law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Claudia hopes to delve into the dynamic and enterprising life of Mountain View companies, whether the size and scope of Google or start-ups in mobile, bio-tech, or solar energy industries.

Claudia will utilize her almost 10 years in community reporting to find, inform and contribute news coverage that reflects the diversity of the residents of Mountain View, so that become more aware about what's going on with their government, schools, economy and arts.

Claudia is fluent in Spanish and has a strong grasp of Portuguese and German.

An avid salsa dancer and sports fan, when Claudia is not writing and reporting at the various coffee shops in Mountain View, she enjoys the local food scene and beer tasting at the many local breweries.

In her quest to meet and learn more about Mountain View as editor of Mountain View Patch, Claudia welcomes suggestions and contributions. So if you spot her, stop by and say "Hello!"

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 and human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal certain key beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.

This disclosure is not a license for our editors to inject these 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 force us to be ever mindful to write, report, and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you, the user, ever think you see evidence that we failed in this mission, we wholeheartedly invite you to let us know.

Politics:

I'm an opened minded person and have been influenced by living in New York City, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Ohio, Spain and now California.

I am a registered voter and I vote in every election.

Religion:

I am non-religious and respectful of the beliefs of others.

Local Hot-Button Issues:

The hot-button issues in Mountain View include new development like the San Antonio Shopping Center, the city budget, education and the high speed rail project.

On these issues I am an impartial observer and documentarian.