From your editor: Fair and impartial

Full disclosure: I am a Democrat. Have been for more than 40 years.
I also am a New Yorker, but have lived in California for 20 years.
I am an Episcopalian, although I was raised a Baptist.
I am a husband, father and grandfather. I am once divorced, twice married.
I eat meat. I play golf. I love basketball.
I am Caucasian, a son of the American Revolution in fact. My ancestors owned slaves. I married an immigrant.
I have received speeding tickets. I have never been convicted of a crime.
I smoked pot in college. I don’t use tobacco in any forms. I drink alcohol only occasionally.
I love my country. I am the son of a Naval officer, and salute the flag. I was a Conscientious Objector in the Vietnam era.
I fancy myself a chef and a gardener.
I am a journalist.
There, that should give you enough ammunition to imagine all sorts of stereotypes and biases about the editor of this newspaper. Whatever new insight that you think these revelations may have suddenly given you, I hate to disappoint.
Those of you who know me, and/or have read what I have written, know that while all of the attributes listed above are true and have an undeniable impact on the way my brain processes experiences and information, none of the above shakes my commitment to be the most fair and impartial – and thorough – reporter that you can imagine.
Which brings us to this campaign season. Which is why I started this process in the first place. Voters – and candidates – jump to a lot conclusions during an election campaign, about candidates and about media.
I encourage you – no, I implore you – to avoid knee-jerk responses and opinions based on stereotypes, or labels, or appearances, or any characteristics like those listed above. Each of us, after all, is greater than the sum of our parts. Let’s evaluate candidates this electoral season – and I know this can be tough given this particularly unpredictable year – on what they have demonstrated, on the positions they articulate, on their personal qualities.
The Press Banner may have endorsed candidates in the past. This year we will not. We prefer to serve you by providing the information you need to make your own decisions – and doing it in a transparently fair and impartial manner.
In that spirit, we have joined with the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce in sponsoring a forum for City Council candidates on Oct. 6, and expect to announce plans soon for a similar event for the Scotts Valley Board of Education Trustee candidates. We encourage you to read and listen, then vote. As always, if you have ideas how your local newspaper can better serve you, let me know.