Erin Gibson, Patch Staff

Erin Gibson graduated from George Mason University in January 2008 with a bachelor's degree in communications. She began working at  WJLA TV in Arlington, Va., as a web producer following an internship with the company her senior year.  Erin has lived in Northern Virginia for most of her life and has grown to love and know the area well. As the local editor for Manassas.Patch.com, Erin will be bringing you the latest news and event information that matters most to Manassas residents. Erin is also a mother of two small children. She enjoys spending time with her husband and kids in her spare time.

<strong> BELIEFS</strong>

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.

<strong>POLITICS</strong>

<i>* How would you describe your political beliefs?</i>

I believe in the greater good for the people, so I don&#39;t understand these politicians who only have big business and the rich in their radar. Most of the people in this country are struggling to get by, and I feel like most of our representatives are out of touch with reality.

<b>Religion</b>

<i>* How religious would you say you are? Casual, observant, devout, non-religious?</i>

I was raised Southern Baptist and have attended church for most of my life. I attended  Christian school until high school and appreciated the spiritual foundation I received by attending private schools.  I consider myself to be a Christian, and believe there is only one God.

<strong>LOCAL HOT BUTTON ISSUES</strong>

<i>* </i><i>What do you think are the two or three most important issues facing the community?</i>

Traffic, traffic and more traffic. Even if you live five minutes from where you are trying to go, it will take you 30. Manassas is surrounded by sprawling Prince William County that seems to add a new city every day, but nothing is being done to facilitate the drive to and from Washington, D.C. Traffic on I-66 and Route 28 is a mess and I have always strongly felt that the Metro needs to continue on out past Vienna into Manassas. Illegal immigration is also a hot topic in Prince William County, where the police department and elected officials approved several policies in July 2008 that allow county police to investigate the citizenship of any person who is arrested for a crime.