Basics:

• E-mail: rich.jacques@patch.com
• Phone: (631) 317-0052
• Twitter:@HuntingtonPatch
• Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/HuntingtonPatch
• Hometown: Severna Park, Maryland
• Birthday: February 24

Bio:

Rich Jacques is an award-winning journalist and a 2001 graduate of Texas Tech University.

His background includes stints as a multi-media reporter and editor at newspapers and magazines in New Mexico, Texas and New York. 

He has been honored by the New Mexico Press Association and the West Texas Press Association for categories including journalist of the year, feature writing, news writing, column writing, special sections and special coverage. 

A six-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Rich is originally from Maryland and is now excited to be living in Huntington and working as the local editor for Patch.

In his free time, Rich is a singer and songwriter who enjoys sports, cruising in his Jeep, performing and traveling. He maintains a residence on China's exotic Hainan Island in the South Pacific — where he has spent several years living, working and exploring. Rich sings regularly in Manhattan.

His diverse range of experience includes time as a singing waiter at Ellen's Stardust Diner on Broadway in New York City; as a former ballroom dance instructor in Tampa, Florida; and as a pageant judge and emcee for the Miss America organization in 2010.

In 2009, he appeared as an extra in the George Clooney movie "The Men Who Stare at Goats" and performed on the Las Vegas Strip.

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.

Politics:

How would you describe your political beliefs?

I strongly support the idea of limited federal governance with most authority centralized at the state and local levels. I believe in maximum personal responsibilities and freedoms for all — with as little government intervention as possible. All I basically expect my government to provide me with is liberty and an unfettered, safe and peaceful environment so that I  may pursue my happiness, whatever it might be. It is my responsibility as a U.S. citizen to do my part to ensure that the nation remains strong by doing my individual best to take care of myself in an effort to never become a burden to my country or community. 

I come from a family which believes that service goes hand-in-hand with citizenship. My great-grandfather was a Democratic Congressman from Mississippi; my grandfather and great-uncle each served proudly during WWII in the U.S. Army; my cousin, an Air Force pilot and graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, was a 7-year POW at the "Hanoi Hilton" during the Vietnam War; and my dad served on the Presidential Honor Guard at the White House and as the rifle inspector on the prestigious U.S. Marine Corps' Silent Drill Platoon in Washington, D.C.

Religion:

How religious would you say you are? Casual, observant, devout, non-religious?

I've been Baptized and choose the Bible as my guide to the life principles I believe in most. I'd categorize my faith as casual.