Heidi Dietrich, Patch Staff

<b>Email: </b>Heidi.Dietrich&#64;patch.com<b><br>Phone: </b>425-503-0074<b><br>Hometown: </b>Shoreline, WA<b><br>Birthday</b>: July 19, 1979<br><b>Bio: </b>

I&#39;ve been covering news in the Puget Sound area for the past decade. I spent seven years as a business reporter for the Puget Sound Business Journal, where I earned a Society of American Business Editors and Writers award for a series on Seattle&#39;s Mexican restaurant industry.

Before joining Patch, I spent a year writing freelance magazine pieces, contributing to such publications as the Seattle Times&#39; Pacific Northwest Magazine, Seattle Bride, and Executive Travel Magazine.

I obtained a master&#39;s in journalism from Stanford University and an English degree from Willamette University. My roots in the Seattle area run deep, as I grew up in Shoreline and attended Shorewood High School.

When not writing, reading, reporting, and editing, I row for Green Lake Crew and run marathons.

<br><b>Note</b> <strong>From Patch:</strong><br>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.

<br><b>Politics </b><br>I believe everyone should participate in the political process. Read or watch the news, become informed, and vote! My feisty grandma campaigned for many initiatives, and I believe her passion for politics shaped me. I feel very strongly about equal rights for all, and it bothers me when I see discrimination against any group or individual. By covering politics as a journalist, I&#39;ve become more engaged and interested in the political process. One day, when I&#39;m not working as a reporter, I could see running for an office.

I&#39;m not a member of any political party.<br><br><b>Religion</b><br>I&#39;m not religious and did not grow up attending church. However, I find learning about different forms of faith extremely interesting, and I&#39;m always curious to find out more. <br><b><br>Local Hot-Button Issues</b><br>I see development as an ongoing hot topic in Edmonds, as new projects battle against the desire to preserve the community as it is. Because Edmonds is blessed with a scenic waterfront, questions of height restrictions always bring controversy. The redevelopment of the Antique Mall, Harbor Square&#39;s proposed makeover, and plans for a new development at nearby Point Wells are among the most talked about properties.

I feel that when developments are constructed in a thoughtful manner, they bring new assets to a community. I hope all of the above projects strike a satisfactory balance between preserving the old and encouraging new vitality.