Damian Garde, Patch Staff

Damian Garde comes to Kensington via New Mexico, where he started in journalism at 15, writing for the Youth Express Page at the Albuquerque Journal. From there, Damian attended the University of New Mexico, where he helmed the New Mexico Daily Lobo and interned at the Journal and other publications. He enjoys literature and is in deep denial about the NBA lockout.<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><br><strong>How would you describe your political beliefs?</strong><br>I strongly believe in equality and thus have liberal views on social issues, but I&#39;m respectful of the opinions of others. Otherwise, I vote pragmatically and look for representatives who act in the best interests of their communities. <br><br><b>Religion</b><br>I was raised quite Catholic, and many of those lessons stick with me today, but I do not regularly attend mass.<br><b><br>Local Hot-Button Issues</b><br><strong>What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?</strong><br>The sector plan: The community of Kensington has to decide how it wants to look over the next few decades, and watching the debate between those for and against redevelopment will be fascinating.

The proposed Bethesda-Chevy Chase middle school: Kensington may be the site of a new middle school, but only at the cost of park land in Rock Creek Hills. This is a story Patch will continue to cover.