Jen Anesi, Patch Staff

Jen Anesi grew up in the small town of Hudson, WI, and pursued dual degrees in French horn performance and music education at DePaul University and at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She left school her junior year to join the Army National Guard, where she served as a combat medic for almost three years. Jen was honorably discharged following the birth of her son in 2005. She graduated magna cum laude in 2010 with a BA in Journalism from Oakland University, where she also earned the school's prestigious College of Arts and Sciences Meritorious Achievement Award.

Over the past few years, Jen has freelanced for The Oakland Press , The Oakland Post , MLive.com and, most recently, Rochester Patch , which she helped launch in October of 2010 before being hired as Local Editor of Oakland Township Patch. In December 2011, she took over as editor of Troy Patch.

Jen currently lives in Rochester Hills with her son.

<b>Your Beliefs</b><br>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 you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.<br><br><b>Politics </b><br>While I tend to lean left on some issues, I lean right on others and do not consider myself either Democrat or Republican. Regardless of my personal beliefs, I do everything I can to stay as politically neutral, fair and balanced as I can in all of my reporting.<br><br><b>Religion</b><br>I am not religious, though I respect others&#39; religious beliefs and enjoy learning about different religions. <br><b><br>Local Hot-Button Issues</b><br>There are many, many hot-button issues in Troy, including the recent transit center controversy and the ongoing effort to recall Troy Mayor Janice Daniels. The community is diverse, vibrant, and busy, busy, busy. Keeping my finger on the pulse of city government is a priority, as is covering police, school, sports and business news.