Kurt Orzeck, Patch Staff

I'm an editor/writer with more than 11 years of professional editorial experience. In addition to serving as an editor at MTV News Online, the managing editor of ICE magazine and Buzznet, and the assistant editor at VirginMega.com, I have more than 2,000 writing credits for outlets including MTV News, RollingStone.com, Alternative Press, Filter, Commonweal, Herald-Tribune, Thrasher, Soma, Harp, BBC.com, Royal Flush, ICE, Rockpile, The Big Takeover, Devil in the Woods, Status, Venice and Shockhound.

I've lived in Santa Monica, California, for the past eight years and worked here for the past nine (at MTV, ICE and as a freelance writer/editor). While I was raised in central Massachusetts, I bleed Santa Monica. Being a longtime resident of this city is a badge of honor, as I firmly believe that this is one of the most forward-thinking and privileged communities in the United States.

I'm grateful to have developed deep ties to this community over the years, and it is a prime objective of mine to constantly find ways to give back. I've been a parishioner at St. Monica Catholic Church for more than seven years, and during the bulk of that time, I coordinated a monthly dinner for homeless and low-income individuals at PATH. I've also volunteered at Samoshel, the Santa Monica Senior Center, Chrysalis and other critical social organizations in Santa Monica.

From taking a yoga class at Emeritis College to regularly visiting the farmers markets to getting my hair cut down the street, I very much feel a part of this great city. When not figuratively running around town, I'm often doing so literally: long-distance running is probably my favorite pastime, with the possible exception of reading. My other interests include listening to underground music, watching alternative comedy, cooking and hiking (particularly at Will Rogers State Historic Park).

But above all, I enjoy being in the city I love.

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<b>Birthday</b>: 9.23.78

<b>Marital Status</b>: not married

<b>Politics</b>: I am a registered independent voter and have not affiliated myself with any political party for at least 10 years.

<b>Religion</b>: practicing Catholic<b><br></b>

<strong>What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?</strong>:

sustainability

(over)development

city and school budgets

traffic congestion

parking

homelessness

environmentalism

education

crime and safety

care and services for senior citizens

neighborhood preservation

<strong>Where do you stand on each of the above?</strong>:

I believe all these issues are intimately connected, and that they must be tackled comprehensively in order for progress to be made on each of them individually.

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