NDN: Fiala announces plans to run for 3rd term

Today, Fiala, became the first incumbent elected official in Collier to file for re-election. Her term in office expires at the end of 2008.

"I just feel like my work isn't done yet," Fiala said minutes after dropping her paperwork off at the Collier Supervisor of Elections Office. "I thought long and hard about it, and decided there was more I wanted to accomplish."

Fiala becomes the first incumbent county official whose term expires in 2008 to announce she will run for election.

Her goals if elected to another four-year term include continuing efforts to redevelop East Naples. Fiala has long pushed to redevelop the area to bring in more high-end homes and businesses.

"We're finally getting some good restaurants into East Naples," she said.

Her accomplishments while in office include working to fix the problems with the Naples landfill, improvements to water and wastewater plants and pushing for the construction of more roads and the widening of existing roads.

Fiala said she also is looking out for Marco Island. Many island residents weren't thrilled when she first ran for commissioner because she lives in East Naples and the last few commissioners in her district were Marco residents.

"I think we've grown a beautiful relationship with Marco over the years," Fiala said. "It wasn't like that at first, but they know I'm looking out for them."

She has tried to have a good relationship with the entire county, Fiala said.

"It doesn't matter whether you live in my district or not," she said. "My door is open to everybody."