Laila Kearney, Patch Staff

I have lived and reported in the Bay Area for the past four years. My work has appeared in the Oakland Tribune, KQED Radio's The California Report, San Francisco Business Times, San Francisco Chronicle and others.

I received a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from San Francisco State University. I also studied in Mainland China at Lu He High School and at the University of Sydney, Australia.

On my days off, I like searching for good eateries, being in nature or reading something by Russell Banks.

<br> <b>My Beliefs</b>

I believe in freedom of the press. Professionally and personally, I also believe in honesty and forthrightness with others and with myself, and that those virtues make life easier and more meaningful in the long run. I try to remind myself of this often.

<b>Politics</b>

I&#39;m a registered Democrat, and that&#39;s how I tend to vote.

<b>Religion</b>

My mother was raised Greek Orthodox Christian and my father was brought up Irish Catholic. They decided not to raise their children with religion, but I can&#39;t help but think that some of it rubbed off on me.<br> <b><br> Local Hot-Button Issues</b>

City Hall: With three city managers coming and going in two months, a city council recall in motion, the state controller&#39;s RDA review and a recently revealed budget meaning cuts to city projects and staff, the goings on in Hercules City Hall has and will likely continue to be the city&#39;s top hot-button issue for some time.

Education: There are four (five if you separate Hercules Middle/High into two schools) public schools in Hercules, and they are top performers in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. Anything affecting these school&#39;s budgets is a big deal.

New developments—especially along the waterfront: I think Herculeans want to see their city relatively lively and with more independently owned restaurants and shops, and enough foot traffic to support those businesses. I love the idea of having more places to eat and walk to in Hercules, as well as more ways to travel to and from the city (like a on a ferry boat).