Email: jeff.rumage@patch.com
Phone: 414.248.3117
Hometown: Beloit, WI
Birthday: March 24, 1985

Bio: Jeff Rumage has always had a passion for writing, learning about others and understanding the community around him.

Those three things drove Jeff to walk into The Daily Cardinal, one of UW-Madison's student newspapers, where he went on to cover city, state and campus news stories. He also had an internship with WisPolitics.com.

After graduating from UW-Madison, Jeff took a job with a weekly newspaper in Oconomowoc, where he immersed himself in the community over the course of more than three years - writing about everything from farmers markets to murder trials.

When Jeff learned about Patch's vision for community journalism, he felt compelled to be a part of it. Journalism should not be a one-way street. Patch doesn't just deliver the news to your inbox every morning - users are encouraged to share their stories, events, photos, videos and local commentary.

Your 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. 

Politics
Some might say that a UW-Madison graduate with degrees in Political Science and Communications is inherently liberal, but I have always thought partisanship takes the intellect out of politics. I genuinely believe there are multiple sides to most issues, and I became a journalist to give a voice to all sides of the discussion. I do, of course, vote in every election, but my choice is shaped more by each candidate's background, openness and capacity for logic than their ability to rile a crowd and make their opponent look bad.

Religion
Religion is a personal matter, but I believe everyone should have the right to exercise and express their beliefs in an open environment.

Local Hot-Button Issues
Many North Shore homeowners incurred substantial property damage due to flooding, and it will continue to be an issue in the future. 

Education is a high priority in the North Shore - and rightfully so. I will do my best to spotlight the activities and accomplishments in our local schools, as well as the local success stories made possible with a high school diploma and a strong educational background.

I do believe residents have a right to know where their tax dollars are spent. I pledge to provide accurate, comprehensive information about public affairs, and to find answers to any issues brought to my attention.