Email: mary.stachyra@patch.com

Phone: 571-969-9840

Twitter: @CentrePatch 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CentrevillePatch

Bio: Mary Stachyra is a full-time suburban editor, but in her spare time she roams through the backwoods of Virginia on foot, in a kayak or riding a bike. She loves to travel. She studied international reporting and as a journalism student at the City University of New York reported in India and interned at MSNBC and CNN. She worked as a staff writer at a newspaper in Maryland before Patch. 

My 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 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 their 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 see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.

Politics 
How would you describe your political beliefs? 

I consider myself an independent. My political beliefs are a hodge-podge, but I favor small, limited, highly transparent government. I'm also strongly pro-life.

Religion
How religious would you consider yourself? 

I am a practicing Catholic.

Local Hot-Button Issues
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?

Education is definitely an important topic for the families in our area. I also think that development and land use will become increasingly contentious issues as Centreville continues to grow. And then there's the omnipresent issue of traffic, traffic and more traffic.