My name is Marques Hunter and I'm the Lakewood Patch editor. I'm nearing my 30s, going bald and loving every minute of it. I grew up in Tacoma and graduated from Mount Tahoma High School.
Lacking direction after graduating from high school, I enrolled in Pierce College in Lakewood. There, I found my passion for news writing. I joined the student newspaper, The Pioneer, and my journalism career took off. I liked the atmosphere and my colleagues.
My interest in writing continued. I graduated from Pierce and transferred to the University of Washington, Tacoma. I served as the managing editor for the school's student newspaper The Ledger.
After graduating, I worked as a youth counselor for troubled teens and as a Microsoft sales and marketing agent. Then I landed my first professional journalism job. It was with The Peninsula Gateway, Gig Harbor's outstanding weekly newspaper. I reported on city news and sports for nearly four years, winning multiple national awards.
After watching trends in journalism, I moved my work online with Patch.com. This is a terrific opportunity to take my passion for journalism and use it in a way that brings me closer to readers -- and readers to each other.
As the Lakewood Patch editor, I'll provide quality community news for the Lakewood Patch web site.
<strong>My beliefs</strong>
In order to form a strong community, there needs to be a place where people can socialize and exchange ideas.
As the Lakewood Patch editor, my goal is to cover the stories that the community cares about. Whether it's a city council meeting, a high school baseball game or a family-friendly festival, Patch's local coverage will tell you what's going on -- and what it means to Lakewood.
And, in turn, I want to hear from you. Tell me what's not getting enough coverage. Explain what you want to see more of (or less) on the website.
<strong>Politics</strong>
I consider myself an independent. I agree, in part, with some Democratic positions and some Republican views. I tend to be more liberal than conservative but I also think there needs to be a sharp eye on how the U. S. government spends our money.
<strong>Religion</strong>
I believe in Christianity. I respect every religion and would never judge anybody based upon their spiritual beliefs. Everybody has the right to believe -- or not. At its best, our country is a place where people of many religions can practice their beliefs without fear.
<b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b>
Economic development for one. City officials want to see improvement everywhere but most importantly in the Tillicum and Woodbrook communities. Locals created a Tillicum neighborhood plan to help address economic issues but there's still a long way to go.
In Lakewood, the city council has struggled to create a central district. They believe the Colonial Center has potential but what's missing is an official Lakewood park or public hub where the community gathers for festivals and concerts.
Also, there's local interest in connecting with the international business district, including the Korean-American business owners. City officials have said there is a need to bridge this cultural gap. They are right.
On a smaller note, Clover Park High School students and administrators believe the school doesn't get as much sports coverage as Lakes High School. I plan to cover both schools equally.
Center for Independence is a nation-wide non profit organization and has been a resource for disabled people since 1981. The Lakewood building moved in March to a more visible location.
Lakewood residents picking up downed trees or limbs from the winter storm will not be assessed an additional fee by allowing refuse services to pick it up, city says. That is, of course, you don't use if for firewood.
The 2-year-old terrier/pug mix is an entertaining and affectionate pet.
This post from the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition is a good guide for how to handle the food in your refrigerator and freezer if you lost power this week. When in doubt, throw it out!
The 2012 winter storm knocked out power, closed roads and created battlefields in our yards. Some of us were able to have fun as well by sledding, making snowmen and other fun activities outside. Share with us your experiences.
Scattered areas of Lakewood remain without power. Meanwhile, the city's public works department is dealing with downed trees and utility lines.
If you're still without power and need a place to escape the cold and find a place to charge your electronics, the city of Lakewood is offering shelter for area residents along with the Lakewood Community Center.
With ice, snow and freezing rain impacting roads in Lakewood and the rest of the region, the Clover Park School District cancels school yet again.
Lakewood Police release major road details including a semi-truck blocking a road in the Woodbrook neighborhood. Also, urban flooding is caused by this key factor.
By now, Lakewood residents should have made a traditional snowman or, if you're creative, a snow cobra like the one featured. Take a minute and show the neighborhood your awesome talent!
With the added control, though, comes the additional cost to operate the park.
Tell us about your driving experience by commenting what roads are safe or dangerous.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for all of Western Washington. Pierce County can expect to receive 6 to 14 inches of snow on Wednesday sometime after midnight. The city of Lakewood has been busy preparing for the snow storm.
Megan Bostic is hosting a book release party for her "Never Eighteen" debut novel at 5 p.m. today at the Proctor Street library in Tacoma.
All programs scheduled up to noon. are canceled. Classes after 12 p.m. are taking place on schedule
Icy road conditions mean another day off for students.
Are you enjoying the sight of snow? Join Patch and upload a photo.
Cham Garden Korean BBQ is a mom-and-pop restaurant featuring 12 kinds of meat and a variety of other foods.
Here are a couple photos I snapped while driving along the Bridgeport Way in Lakewood Thursday morning.
West Pierce Fire & Rescue crews extinguished the blaze at 9:55 a.m. Thursday morning. Pierce Transit brought a bus to keep the displaced families out of the cold. There were no injuries.
