Nicole Charky, Patch Staff

I&#39;m the local editor for Montrose Patch. I grew up in the area, making my way through the crowded halls of Rosemont Middle School in La Crescenta and writing for the newspaper at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in La Canada Flintridge. I earned my Bachelor&#39;s of Arts in Journalism at Loyola University Chicago where I worked as news editor for the award-winning Loyola Phoenix. I most recently reported crime in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. at LAPD Headquarters for City News Service, the newswire for Southern California. You can usually find me sweating at the Crescenta-Canada YMCA or having dinner with friends or family along Honolulu Avenue.  <br><br><b>Your Beliefs</b><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. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.<br><br><b>Politics </b>

How would you describe your political beliefs?

I consider my political beliefs socially liberal.

Are you registered with a certain party?

I am a registered Democrat.

<br><b>Religion</b>

How religious would you consider yourself?

I am an observant Roman Catholic who grew up attending mass with my family.

<b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b>

<br>What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?

Important issues include the ongoing embezzlement investigation of former City Council member John Drayman conducted by Glendale Police Department, school enrollment for local public schools and how to support local business. Also, traffic and pedestrian safety, especially for parents and students before and after school.

If you know of other important issues, I would be more than happy to hear from you.

Where do you stand on each of these issues?

As a journalist, my job is to remain objective, investigate these issues and bring all the perspectives to you, the reader. I am sincerely concerned for students and parents who navigate through traffic on early mornings and after school lets out.