Christy Strawser, Patch Staff

I am a longtime metro Detroit journalist and editor of Royal Oak Patch who has worked at the largest media outlets in the region, won 24 state-level journalism awards for breaking news, community news, features and investigations, and written true crime cover stories for national magazines.

I live in a mid-century Royal Oak ranch with my husband and two shelter pets, Molly the terrier and Jasper the ginger cat.

I'm excited to run a website that's all about Royal Oak, which I consider to be one of the most dynamic communities in the region. It's a great mix of tradition and trend, established and new. The biggest issues in Royal Oak revolve around two things, the need for downtown visitors clashing with the need for peaceful neighborhoods, and a shrinking state budget and embattled national economy that have pushed many local communities – including Royal Oak – to the brink of financial disaster. But the city is weathering the storm.

My personal passions include education, environmental causes, animal rescue, meaningful art, music and books. You'll almost always find me with a book in hand. In fact, sometimes you'll find me with two or three because I never like to be caught without reading material.

I have a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

If you're trying to spot me around town, look in the Royal Oak Library, the YMCA, coffee shops or on the streets around downtown – where I feel lucky to live. If I'm walking, my jaunty white and black spotted dog Molly will generally be by my side. Always feel free to stop us for a chat. Molly enjoys meeting new people and so do I.

Let's get the conversation started: I think urban sprawl should be curbed, mass transit encouraged, politicians should be honest, polite discourse valued and compassion and kindness should be required, never optional.

I'm not religious and will never tell you who I voted for, but I think shopping should be local, energy footprints small and shoes, gorgeous. Wine should be rich and nuanced and food made from scratch with love.