Kirkland|News|
Small Dog Meet-Up Saturday at Jasper's Dog Park

A refugee from the newspaper industry, Greg Johnston has been a journalist for more than 30 years, most of them with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, which vanished into the pages of history in March of 2009. He also served for four years as wire editor/reporter at The Daily World in Aberdeen on the Washington Coast, and worked as a news writer and wirephoto operator at the Associated Press Seattle bureau while attending the University of Washington. Greg graduated from the UW's School of Communications in the Rose Bowl victory year of 1978 – Go Dawgs!
He sees in Patch the opportunity to continue doing what he does: real, honest journalism, now on line, at a hyper-local level, in his hometown. Adventure-oriented since a child, Greg loves to hike, backpack, fish, ride his mountain bike, run, kayak, snowboard and take nature photographs.
He lives on Finn Hill with his wife and has three grown children, one a U.S. Army infantryman and Afghanistan War veteran, and two beautiful grandchildren.
<b>Your Beliefs</b>
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.
<b>Politics</b>
How would you describe your political beliefs? Are you registered with a certain party?
I am fiscally conservative and socially liberal. I support a strong military, but believe the answer to conflict is tolerance, understanding, diplomacy and dialogue. I dream of the day Americans can withdraw from foreign conflict and look inward to address issues such as unemployment, homelessness, poverty and environmental protection. I am not a member of any party.
<b>Religion</b>
How religious would you consider yourself?
I was baptized a Christian and would call myself spiritual, but not devout. I find peace in nature, in the Pacific Northwest's mountains, forests, rivers and seas and along its magnificent ocean shoreline.
<b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b>
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
Where do you stand on each of these issues?
Kirkland is a relatively affluent, largely suburban bedroom community where quality of life issues are important. The challenge will be maintaining a vibrant downtown and neighborhoods while preserving their small-town charm. I think quality of life should not be sacrificed for economic development; rather, I think maintaining a high quality of life is essential to a strong economy.

Prosecutors say four soldiers in Georgia killed Kirkland native Michael Roark and his girlfriend to keep them silent about their plans.
Kirkland firefighters responded to the single-car crash at about 3 p.m.
Kelly Ann Hudson of Finn Hill was arraigned Thursday on charges of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault in the crash that injured an elderly Bellevue man and killed his sister, who were in another car.
Mayor Joan McBride and local legislators are expected to participate in the public event sponsored by supporters of Referendum 74, which will be on the Nov. 6 ballot and would provide marriage equality for same-sex couples.
Kelly Ann Hudson of Finn Hill was arraigned Thursday on charges of vehicular homicide and driving while impaired in the crash that killed an elderly neighbor.
Denny's Pet World posts surveillance video on its Facebook page after a $600 green cheek conure parrot was stolen from the shop late last week. Kirkland Police confirm they are investigating.
Kelly Ann Hudson of Finn Hill was arraigned Thursday on charges of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault in the crash that killed an elderly neighbor.
In other cases, a 15-year-old youth was arrested for allegedly exposing himself to a 49-year-old woman, and a woman scorned allegedly key-scratched the sports car of her ex-boyfriend's current girlfriend.
Denny's Pet World posts surveillance video on its Facebook page after a $600 green cheek conure parrot was stolen from the shop late last week. Kirkland Police confirm they are investigating.
Three men forced their way into the room of a 26-year-old woman early Wednesday morning, ransacked the place and stole her computer, wallet and cell phone.
Three men forced their way into the room of a 26-year-old woman early Wednesday morning, ransacked the place and stole her computer, wallet and cell phone.
Three men forced their way into the room of a 26-year-old woman early Wednesday morning, ransacked the place and stole her computer, wallet and cell phone.
The free eight-week program teaches residents what police do in a hands-on way and how they can help prevent and solve local crime.
Kirkland Police say two men entered the home and pistol-whipped the 26-year-old man and then shot him in the arm and torso. He is in stable condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Highly regarded Chef Don Curtiss hopes to open his new Kirkland restaurant in the first week of September.
Kirkland Police say three unknown male suspects came in through an unlocked front door Friday afternoon, forced the residents to get on the floor and stole a safe.
Kirkland Police say three unknown male suspects came in through an unlocked front door Friday afternoon, forced residents to get on the floor and stole a safe.
A Kirkland Police officer driving by reportedly was first on the scene and evacuated residents from the three-story apartment building. There were no injuries.