Email:  Stefanie.Briggs@patch.com

Phone:  763-607-1246
Hometown: Plymouth, MN
Birthday:  January 1
Bio: I’ve been a community journalist my entire adult life. I have worked for daily and weekly newspapers in two states and for a magazine overseas. I’ve covered community news in the metro since 2008 as a community editor for Sun Newspapers. I covered Burnsville, Brooklyn Park, Champlin and various school districts in the metro for the Burnsville Sun Current, Brooklyn Park Sun Post and Champlin-Dayton Press.

I graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. with a Bachelor’s of Art degree in Communications Studies and minor in English.

I grew up in Crystal and attended schools in the Robbinsdale School District including Forest Elementary, Hosterman Middle School and Robbinsdale Cooper High School.

My travels have taken me across the country and the world. I have been all around Europe and to Tokyo, Japan as well as other countries.

I am currently living in Plymouth. I joined Patch in July 2011.

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 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.

Politics
I usually vote liberal, but I am not registered with any particular party. My political beliefs are usually based upon the issue and circumstance at hand. I prefer to hear both points of view before articulating my opinion on the matter.

Religion
I am an atheist. I respect others’ religious beliefs and keep an open mind about all opinions expressed about religion and hope others are respectful of my belief as well.

Local Hot-Button Issues
Plymouth has a wide variety of business and industry, but there are still patches of property that remain undeveloped. Development along Vicksburg Lane and Highway 494 could be seen as development opportunities or not. Also, redevelopment of the Four Seasons Mall is being looked at and discussed. It has great potential for redevelopment and possible interest in a recovering economy. Changes in the Wayzata School District, Robbinsdale School District and other private schools and public school districts in the community are also part of issues that concern many in Plymouth.