Amy Wenk, Patch Staff

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<b>Email:</b> amy.wenk&#64;patch.com <br><b>Phone:</b> 404-317-9116
<br><b>Hometown:</b> Roswell, Ga.
<br><b>Birthday:</b> April 10

<b>Bio:<br></b>I am thrilled to be reporting in Midtown, where I live and play. I&#39;m a native Atlantan who has worked as a community journalist for several local newspapers. I&#39;ve covered communities from Buckhead to Cartersville. I&#39;m also an experienced graphic designer and photographer. 

I love adventures and spent a month in Gujarat, India on a Rotary scholarship in 2010. My interests include nature, travel, poetry, blues music and good times. I live near Piedmont Park with my cat, Wallace.

<b>Your Beliefs:<br></b> I believe in being truthful and sincere. I have a track record as a fair and balanced reporter. I work hard to objectively report facts and adhere to principles of good journalism.

<b>Politics:</b> <br>I&#39;ve never registered with a political party. I&#39;m pretty open-minded.

<b>Religion:
<br></b>Religion fascinates me. I&#39;m rather passionate about faith reporting. I have profiled some of the largest congregations in the country and interviewed countless pastors, ministers and rabbis. I&#39;ve been inspired by the simplicity of the Primitive Baptist service and the selfless generosity of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart. I&#39;ve attended a Jesuit retreat, watched Buddhist sand painters and worshipped at a Jain temple.

I followed Gandhi&#39;s life as I traveled through India, moving from his birthplace to his ashram, along the route of his salt march to end at his memorial. I sought wisdom from a Hindu guru, was scolded by a nun at a Catholic comedy show and once let Scientologists measure the electricity in my body. 

<b>Local Hot-Button Issues: </b>

<i>Development</i> over the next five to ten years is important to note. Midtown is poised for growth. How will the community balance new development while preserving the area&#39;s history?

<i>Transportation and parking </i>also are huge, especially with the city of Atlanta&#39;s contract the private company PARKAtlanta. Now that you have to pay to park, the desire for better transit options has heightened.

<i>Public safety </i>issues likely will continue to concern Midtown residents. Even with efforts to clean up crime, there is room to improve. 

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