Toni Whitt, Patch Staff

<b>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 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. <br><br>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.</i><br><br><b>Politics</b>

<i>Middle of the road. I am conservative on some issues, while liberal on others. I get frustrated when party politics trump important issues. Local representatives do a better job of reaching concensus on issues than national representatives, which is why I prefer following local politics.<br></i>

<b>Religion</b>

<i>I am casual, attending church ocassionally. </i>

<b>Local Hot Button Issues</b>

<i>The economy and jobs, the housing market, taxes and the budget.</i>

<i>I appreciate the small businesses are hiring and/or retaining workers. I think there are smart business people out there who have been able to expand, even as people cut back. <br></i>

<i>As for the housing market, I wonder what will happen to existing foreclosed homes if developers continue to build new ones. Right now it doesn&#39;t feel like we are having an influx of population or even part-time residents, so I am concerned that there will be pockets of blight if we as a community do not keep careful watch.</i>

<i>As property values continue to decline and we contninue to see double digit unemployment, our elected officials are faced with tough decisions about services and how to provide them. I think that so far, they have been able to make significant cuts in some areas. Raising taxes seems like the wrong thing to do when the unemployment rate is high and people are struggling. I am concerned about public employees who have lost their jobs, that only adds to the slow economy. <br></i>