About JENNA BUZZACCO-FOERSTER

Information

Biography

Phone: (239) 263-4805

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Most political junkies catch a plane to Washington, D.C. for their fix. Not me.

When picking a college, I chose to go to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, because of the Iowa Caucuses. There I learned how grassroots politics work in the heartland, saw the beginning and ending of presidential campaigns and recommended the milkshakes at the Drake Diner to Hillary Clinton.

After college, I fled Des Moines for the slightly warmer climate of Sandusky, Ohio, where I covered cops and a small lakefront community. But after 20-plus years of two seasons - winter and road construction - I decided in 2005 it was time to retire my sweaters and move south.

I started at the Daily News in December 2005 as an education reporter. After a brief stint at the Marco Island Eagle, the political junkie in me reared its ugly head, and I took over the Naples city government reporter job in 2007.

When I'm not hounding Naples Mayor Bill Barnett, I enjoy cooking, reading and hanging out at the beach. Still a political junkie at heart, and I've already asked for a fancy touch screen television that John King uses on CNN in advance of the 2012 presidential election.

Think covering City Hall sounds boring? Think again. Here's some of my favorite stories slightly off the beaten City Hall path:

■ Origins of chickens, roosters that have come home to roost in River Park murky Hear that crow? There are chickens and roosters living in River Park, and neighbors and community members aren't quite sure how the fowl got there to begin with.

■ No cross words for this veteran school crossing guard Louise Lopez spent her career as a street walker. Well, it's sort of true. Lopez has spent the past 25 years as a crossing guard for the city of Naples.

■ Holy cow! Could the Chicago Cubs ever end up in Naples? Could Naples be the new home of the Chicago Cubs spring training site? Some people hope the answer is yes.

Everyone has them - Web sites they just can't live with out - and here's some of mine:

■ The city of Naples Web site

■ Collier County Property Appraiser

■ Florida League of Cities

■ Florida City and County Management Association

All work and no play makes me a cranky reporter. Here's where I head when I need to take a virtual break from a hectic day:

■ Food Gawker Foodies beware: This site will make you drool and could lead to massive messes in the kitchen.

■Etsy Love crafty, handmade goods? You could spend hours window shopping through Etsy's virtual market.

■ Lifehacker The name says it all "tips and downloads to getting things done." And on more than one occasion Lifehacker has saved my day.

Position History

Staff Writer
12/14/2007 - current

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Program to improve homes in River Park in limbo Published 11/07/2009 at 9:11 p.m.
Naples City Council, sitting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, delayed a discussion about grant programs to improve residential properties within the city’s redevelopment district. The programs could be aimed at improving homes in River Park.
VIDEO/PHOTOS: Naples church can continue to 'park' downtown on Sunday mornings Published 11/04/2009 at 2:22 p.m.
It didn’t happen exactly as Gene Scott imagined. He had expected opposition, a discussion and maybe even a fight. But on Wednesday morning, Naples City Council members gave him exactly what he wanted – another five years in Cambier Park ...
NAPLES CITY COUNCIL BLOG: Naples City Council approves use agreement for church Updated 11/04/2009 at 2:01 p.m.
Naples City Council voted 6-1 to approve another five year use agreement with Celebration Community Beach Church.
Church to learn if it can continue services in downtown Naples park Published 11/03/2009 at 7:35 p.m.
Naples City Council this morning is set to discuss Celebration Community Beach Church’s five-year use agreement with the city. The non-exclusive use agreement allows the church to rent out the Cambier Park band shell each Sunday for its services. The ...
City Council members ‘disappointed’ with consultant’s performance Published 11/01/2009 at 6:09 p.m.
They’ve been together since 1993, but recently some Naples City Council members are questioning that relationship. Naples City Councilman Bill Willkomm in October said he was “disappointed with Tetra Tech’s performance” when it came to a recent irrigation water rate ...
PHOTOS Does Celebration church have a prayer of getting Naples approval to stay in Cambier? Published 10/31/2009 at 5:01 p.m.
Celebration Community Beach Church has been celebrating Sunday service in Cambier Park for about a decade, but in recent months the church has faced opposition from some community members who believe the church shouldn’t get to use the park. That ...
Some local leaders feel muzzled by new Florida law Published 10/31/2009 at 1:31 p.m.
The bill — signed into law June 10 — “prohibits local government, or any person on the local government’s behalf, from spending money to advocate for the passage of or defeat of any issue, referendum or amendment going to a ...
PHOTOS: Historic Naples building about to receive a makeover Published 10/22/2009 at 4:55 p.m.
A cheese shop once called the building home. So did a movie theater, a library and some even say it’s the original home of Naples City Hall. Now the historic building, 1148 Third St. S., sits empty, filled with dust, ...
Naples Music Festival ready to rock in 2010 Published 10/21/2009 at 5:53 p.m.
Third Street South, get ready to rock. The biennial Naples Music Festival will be once again be taking over the popular downtown Naples street in 2010. But the decision allow a nonprofit organization to shut down Third Street South didn’t ...
Naples City Council Blog: Council approves water taxi at City Dock Updated 10/21/2009 at 11:51 a.m.
Naples City Council this afternoon approved a request to allow the Blue Pelican, a water shuttle, to operate out of the Naples City Dock.