Email: Crystal.Huskey@patch.com

Phone: (770) 235-6755

Hometown: Missionary Kid, but Snellville resident of seven years

Birthday: March 7

Bio: Crystal was born in Florida and moved to the Netherlands at the age of 2. She grew up as the child of missionaries who worked in refugee communities, an experience that shaped her worldview.  

She has an undergraduate degree in Religion and a graduate degree in International Relations. Her work has been featured in the Foreign Policy Association, Women's Views on News, Conflict Solutions International, Our Town Gwinnett Magazine and Atlanta area Patches. She was a piano and voice teacher in the Snellville community for five years (and continues to teach a few local families).  She has a strong passion for community journalism and giving locals a voice.  

She and her husband, Paul, have two perfect children.  

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. 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 we failed in this mission, please let us know.

Politics: I consider myself moderate, and, while I always have a strong opinion, I often can see both sides.  I believe in voting for the person, not the party, and do not vote along party lines.

Religion:  My faith is one of the most important things in my life.  I'll tell you more over coffee!

Local Hot Button Issues: What do you think are the most important issues facing the community? Quality of life seems to be on the forefront of residents' minds. We want a place where we can live, work and play, while sending our children to top quality schools.

Fortunately, we have organizations like Snellville Tourism and Trade and a strong economic development team, which includes city planner Jon Davis and Economic Development Director Eric Van Otteren. With the addition of a new city manager and a city council and mayor that care deeply for the community, I believe things are headed in a positive direction.