Spencer Kornhaber, Patch Staff

Before becoming editor of Lake Forest Patch, Spencer Kornhaber worked as a staff writer at OC Weekly, covering everything from courtrooms to karaoke bars. His stories there earned him two first-place nods at the 2009 Orange County Press Club Awards.

A Dana Point native, Spencer studied journalism at Northwestern University and interned for two summers at the Orange County Register. One of those internships was spent in the newspaper's Lake Forest bureau, and the other was spent filing stories on the "beach beat" (a tough summer job if there ever was one). He also interned at Spin and Field & Stream magazines in New York City, and has contributed to The Onion and Rollingstone.com.

While at Northwestern, he co-founded and was managing editor for NorthByNorthwestern.com, a 'round-the-clock news and information site covering the school. Think of it as Patch for a college campus.

Outside of journalism, Spencer's passions include rock music, avocados and hanging out with his family's Lhasa Apso.

<br><b>My 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 us to inject our beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: We hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will cause us 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>I&#39;m a registered decline-to-state voter who has cast ballots for candidates from both parties. Usually, I side with Democrats, but I think that the standard more government/less government debate misses the point. We need to have a government that is equipped to efficiently and effectively do the things that it is needed to do, and nothing more.<br><br><b>Religion</b><br>I wasn&#39;t raised with religion, but I get it.<br><b><br>Local Hot-Button Issues</b><br>What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?

I&#39;m learning every day. But the addition of 20,000 new residents to town due to planned home development presents a ton of challenges for the city and its government. And people here understandably care about traffic, both now and for the future.

Where do you stand on each of these issues?

Obviously, a lot of care needs to be put into development policy and planning.

Traffic matters. My pet issue would be that whenever I&#39;m heading towards the freeway on Lake Forest Drive, I get held up by the red light at Chinook—and then again just a few feet later at Serrano. Am I right, people?<b><br></b>