Jon Collins, Patch Staff

<b>Bio</b>

The former editor of Southwest Minneapolis Patch, Jon is a graduate of the University of Minnesota journalism and history programs. While going to school he interned at Minneapolis&#39; own KFAI and worked as a projects reporter for the Minnesota Daily. For the past few years, he has reported on politics and the State Capitol for a number of online and print publications, including an extended stint covering Minnesota&#39;s Iron Range<b>.</b>

He&#39;s a native of Minneapolis who grew up all over the country, picking up odd accents from South Carolina to Indiana. A dedicated bicylist and resident of South Minneapolis, he frequently rides his yellow-and-black-striped bike to local music and art events.

<b>My Beliefs</b><br><i>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. </i><br><br><b>Politics </b><br>I&#39;m not, and have never been, a registered member of any party (although I&#39;m more than happy to talk politics with you). I&#39;m all for journalism that&#39;s critical and independent of partisan politics. In my mind, the journalist&#39;s job is to explain the complexities and behind-the-scenes manuevering of our political system so that readers can hold those in power accountable. I&#39;m not interested in ginning up votes for anyone.<br><br><b>Religion</b>

I&#39;m not religious. I do like hearing and talking about religions. Even on Prairie Home Companion.<br><br><b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b><br>From covering small-town Minnesota, and now this urban neighborhood, I&#39;m concerned about the toll on our communities from years of state budget cuts. Education, where the state once led, is probably the area of most concern, with our schools consistently being broken open like a piggy-bank to pay back deficits.