Marques Hunter, Patch Staff

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&#39;s a city council meeting, a high school baseball game or a family-friendly festival, Patch&#39;s local coverage will tell you what&#39;s going on -- and what it means to Lakewood.

And, in turn, I want to hear from you. Tell me what&#39;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&#39;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&#39;s missing is an official Lakewood park or public hub where the community gathers for festivals and concerts.

Also, there&#39;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&#39;t get as much sports coverage as Lakes High School. I plan to cover both schools equally.