Email: ken.stone@patch.com

Phone: 619-990-9894

Hometowns: Born in Detroit; moved to Buena Park, Calif., at age 8; spent three years of high school in Yorba Linda, Calif.; moved with family to Omaha in 1971; later lived in Lawrence, Kan.; Lamar, Mo.; Vista, San Marcos and Fremont, Calif.; San Diego; and finally La Mesa for life!

Birthday: June 18

Ken has been a working journalist since 1976, when he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Kansas. From roots in community journalism (sports editor at the Lamar Democrat in Missouri and editor of two weeklies in San Marcos, Calif.), Ken grew into a seasoned copy editor at several dailies, culminating in a 24-year career at The San Diego Union-Tribune. The last seven years were spent moving the print edition online at SignOnSanDiego.com,  the U-T’s website. He joined Patch in July 2010 and launched La Mesa Patch on Sept. 29, 2010.  He became associate regional editor for south San Diego County in March 2012, and oversees six Patch sites, including the combined La Mesa-Mount Helix Patch edited by Eric Yates.

Pre-Patch resume: kenresume.html

In his hobby life, Ken is a daily blogger at masterstrack.com, a site devoted to adult age-group track and field. Its predecessor site was founded in February 1996. In 2009,  he was named the inaugural winner of the Adam Jacobs Memorial Award for Excellence in Blogging by TAFWA — the Track and Field Writers of America.

Ken also competes in track in his late 50s, and ran in three world and 13 national masters championships. He’s lived in La Mesa with his ESL teacher wife, Chris, since early 1999. Their son, Robert, attended Murray Manor Elementary, Parkway Middle School and Grossmont High School, where he was a four-year member of the  Royal Blue Regiment Marching Band.

Beliefs:
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 and human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal certain key beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. 

This disclosure is not a license for our editors to inject these 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 force us to be ever mindful to write, report, and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you, the user, ever think you see evidence that we failed in this mission, we wholeheartedly invite you to let us know.

• How would you describe your political beliefs?

I am a liberal. Period. I want to see good government deliver high-quality services. I support candidates who defend citizens against corporate interests. I prefer high taxes to high social misery. Progressives are wimps.

• Are you registered with a certain party?

My debut vote was cast for George McGovern in 1972, when I was part of the first wave of 18-year-olds allowed to take part in  federal elections under the 26th amendment. I've since voted for a few Republicans and Independents but generally support Democrats, my party of record.

RELIGION

• How religious would you consider yourself? (Ie, casual, observant, devout, non-religious).

I'm spiritual but non-religious. God gave me a wonderful wife, amazing son and pretty good health (if not footspeed).

• Do you identify with a certain religion? If so, which one?

I'm a proud but non-observant Jew — married to a thoughtful and practicing Catholic. I was confirmed in the Reform movement of Judaism  as a high school sophomore in 1970.

LOCAL HOT-BUTTON ISSUES

• What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?

I'm still learning about La Mesa (after 11 years here), but  folks are looking for safer streets and preservation of the good life — great schools, parks, community services and special events. The recession  hit many people hard. Anything that helps people maintain 
their standard of living — or fends off disaster — is important to La  Mesans.

• Where do you stand on each of these issues?

I'm on the side of all people and institutions trying their  hardest to provide for their families and the common good.