Meet the author: Long-time News-Journal staffer Eileen Zaffiro-Kean knows Daytona Beach

Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, author of today's cover story on the Midtown area of Daytona Beach, covers the city for the News-Journal and has been with us for more than two decades. She's well known for her detailed and carefully reported stories on city government, the local homeless shelter and the city's work on upgrading blighted areas.

Here are five questions for Eileen:

How long have you been with the Daytona Beach News-Journal?

"I have been with the Daytona Beach News-Journal for 22 years."

What do you like the most about covering your beat or your job in general?

"My favorite part of covering the city of Daytona Beach, which I've done for about 16 years, has been learning about the town's history. Over the past 150 years, Daytona has had many interesting chapters and evolved in some unexpected ways."

What is one of your favorite stories you have written while with the News-Journal?

"It's very difficult to pick one favorite story over more than two decades of reporting. But one of my favorites was an in-depth story I wrote in 2017 about Daytona's beachside that explored its chronic struggle to revitalize over the past 50 years despite hundreds of millions of dollars of private and government investment."

What do you like to do in your spare time, assuming you have any?

"In my spare time, I love getting outside to enjoy Florida's natural beauty and fantastic weather. I go for walks daily and hike in Volusia County's great parks whenever I get the chance."

What’s your least favorite part of the job?

My least favorite part of the job is when people treat you like you're not to be trusted when you've given them absolutely no reason to think that and you're just doing your job 100% ethically, legally, professionally and politely.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Beach beat writer for News-Journal keeps close eye on community