Page 56 - Life_In_Naples_Magazine_January_2015
P. 56
politics and
potpourri
by Councilman Bill Barnett
2 015 is here and quite candidly I haven’t the slightest
clue of where 2014 went. It seems as if Naples’ lifestyle
has had that effect on me for as long as I can remember,
and 2015 also means that I’ll have lived in Naples for 42 years. “ Try and keep your blood
As I approach my last full year of being an elected official pressure from rising
for the City of Naples, I have many questions that I don’t have when all three lanes of
any answers for. The predominant question is what am I going
to do when I retire in early 2016. Although I have friends that trafic have cars going 20
would never miss an episode of
their daily favorite soaps that gives mph in a 45 mph zone.
them something to look forward ”
to every day; I know I’m not going
to become a soap opera fan. My
brother-in-law watches all the
Judges shows everyday from Judge a Naples Community effort and one that I would hope we would
Joe Brown to Judge Judy including all participate in to bring this great project to completion. When
the reruns, but he lives in Buffalo finished, it will make us all proud to have been a part of it. The
and it’s a long winter up there. I date will be Friday, February 20th, 2015 and will be held at the
would probably do the same if I Freedom Park. It will start with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. and
lived there. I can’t go to the beach dinner will be at 6:45 p.m. Our max limit will be 400 people, and
anymore because I did too much of I am anticipating that we will sell out. For more information,
that in my earlier years and my dermatologist has proven to me go to FreedomMemorialFoundationOfNaples.org. Even if you
time and time again by freezing off pre-cancer spots on my face can’t attend your donations will go a long way towards helping
and body that any extended time in the sun will be detrimental us reach our goal.
to my health. I would love to become a professional poker My New Year’s advice for the upcoming season, which
player and play tournaments all over the world but first of all remains the same every year: Allow an extra 15 minutes to get
I’m not good enough and more importantly I couldn’t afford where you’re going. Practice deep breathing when you see cars
it unless I hit the lottery which is doubtful and my wife Chris cutting across three lanes of traffic to make a turn without using
certainly wouldn’t sign on to that program. any directional signals. Try and keep your blood pressure from
I certainly know a lot of people in Naples and have frequented rising when all three lanes of traffic have cars going 20 mph in
the vast majority of restaurants in our area so maybe I could a 45 mph zone. If you care about your car try your best to park
become a maitre d’ in one of them. And for years I have talked it as far away from the store that you are going to and walk
with the powers that be at the Ritz Carlton of becoming a
the few extra steps thus avoiding door dings and cart scratches.
concierge there. I know I would be good at that job; it would When in your favorite grocery store, be mindful that you have
cart drivers from all states participating on who can get to the
be fun and fulfilling helping clients to enjoy Naples and all
we have to offer. Each day I come up with more brilliant ideas checkout counter first regardless of who might be in their way.
but realistically I know for sure that my last year of serving my This is a good time to think about your upcoming yoga class and
constituents will be a good one. I will work as hard as ever to be calm! Make your restaurant reservations as far out in advance
finish my 24 year political career that started in 1984 and has as you possibly can or you will be disappointed when you are
been running non-non-consecutively for 23 years. I also know told, “I am sorry we are booked solid for that evening.”
that something will come along most likely in the volunteer Even if the maitre d’ is your best friend they can’t manufacture
department that I will enjoy doing as I always have, so I’m not tables that they don’t have. And on a final note, have a great New
losing any sleep about what the future will hold for me after my Year and remember that your Mayor and City Council along
Council days have ended. with all of our great employees in the City of Naples will do
Last month I briefly wrote about the Fred W. Coyle Freedom everything in our power to make sure your time in Naples is
Memorial Park that so desperately needs to be finished. It will be enjoyable whether it’s for a day, a month or 42 years like me!
56 Life in Naples | January 2015
potpourri
by Councilman Bill Barnett
2 015 is here and quite candidly I haven’t the slightest
clue of where 2014 went. It seems as if Naples’ lifestyle
has had that effect on me for as long as I can remember,
and 2015 also means that I’ll have lived in Naples for 42 years. “ Try and keep your blood
As I approach my last full year of being an elected official pressure from rising
for the City of Naples, I have many questions that I don’t have when all three lanes of
any answers for. The predominant question is what am I going
to do when I retire in early 2016. Although I have friends that trafic have cars going 20
would never miss an episode of
their daily favorite soaps that gives mph in a 45 mph zone.
them something to look forward ”
to every day; I know I’m not going
to become a soap opera fan. My
brother-in-law watches all the
Judges shows everyday from Judge a Naples Community effort and one that I would hope we would
Joe Brown to Judge Judy including all participate in to bring this great project to completion. When
the reruns, but he lives in Buffalo finished, it will make us all proud to have been a part of it. The
and it’s a long winter up there. I date will be Friday, February 20th, 2015 and will be held at the
would probably do the same if I Freedom Park. It will start with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. and
lived there. I can’t go to the beach dinner will be at 6:45 p.m. Our max limit will be 400 people, and
anymore because I did too much of I am anticipating that we will sell out. For more information,
that in my earlier years and my dermatologist has proven to me go to FreedomMemorialFoundationOfNaples.org. Even if you
time and time again by freezing off pre-cancer spots on my face can’t attend your donations will go a long way towards helping
and body that any extended time in the sun will be detrimental us reach our goal.
to my health. I would love to become a professional poker My New Year’s advice for the upcoming season, which
player and play tournaments all over the world but first of all remains the same every year: Allow an extra 15 minutes to get
I’m not good enough and more importantly I couldn’t afford where you’re going. Practice deep breathing when you see cars
it unless I hit the lottery which is doubtful and my wife Chris cutting across three lanes of traffic to make a turn without using
certainly wouldn’t sign on to that program. any directional signals. Try and keep your blood pressure from
I certainly know a lot of people in Naples and have frequented rising when all three lanes of traffic have cars going 20 mph in
the vast majority of restaurants in our area so maybe I could a 45 mph zone. If you care about your car try your best to park
become a maitre d’ in one of them. And for years I have talked it as far away from the store that you are going to and walk
with the powers that be at the Ritz Carlton of becoming a
the few extra steps thus avoiding door dings and cart scratches.
concierge there. I know I would be good at that job; it would When in your favorite grocery store, be mindful that you have
cart drivers from all states participating on who can get to the
be fun and fulfilling helping clients to enjoy Naples and all
we have to offer. Each day I come up with more brilliant ideas checkout counter first regardless of who might be in their way.
but realistically I know for sure that my last year of serving my This is a good time to think about your upcoming yoga class and
constituents will be a good one. I will work as hard as ever to be calm! Make your restaurant reservations as far out in advance
finish my 24 year political career that started in 1984 and has as you possibly can or you will be disappointed when you are
been running non-non-consecutively for 23 years. I also know told, “I am sorry we are booked solid for that evening.”
that something will come along most likely in the volunteer Even if the maitre d’ is your best friend they can’t manufacture
department that I will enjoy doing as I always have, so I’m not tables that they don’t have. And on a final note, have a great New
losing any sleep about what the future will hold for me after my Year and remember that your Mayor and City Council along
Council days have ended. with all of our great employees in the City of Naples will do
Last month I briefly wrote about the Fred W. Coyle Freedom everything in our power to make sure your time in Naples is
Memorial Park that so desperately needs to be finished. It will be enjoyable whether it’s for a day, a month or 42 years like me!
56 Life in Naples | January 2015
