Page 54 - December_2015_Life_in_Naples_Magazine

POLITICS and

POTPOURRI

by Councilman Bill Barnett
O “ctober 31st, another birthday has passed,
and I always get asked if having a birthday The bottom line is that
on Halloween is fun and the answer is those of us who live
yes, it’s definitely a great day to celebrate! Since my
grandchildren are now too old to even consider letting here, or get to spend

me trick or treat with them I am resigned to the fact time here, raise their
that I will do the next best thing, which is to get a

scary costume and sit in our driveway handing out families here, or work
candy and sometimes scaring a few trick or treaters. here fully understand

I think I overdid it with my costume this year

which was a very scary werewolf mask with a jaw that and appreciate the
moved when I talked. Every time a trick or treater
would walk up our driveway he or she would see me, ”opportunities that
stop, and turn around and go the other way. Oh well,
I did get to wear it for about ten minutes and had a Naples offers them.
good time anyway!

I have been and am enamored with LED light

bulbs for the home. A few months ago I needed a 60 to look around our City and know that my efforts

watt bulb that had blown out and was at the hardware over the years with the help of many fine Councils

store ready to buy one when I noticed a replacement and some wonderful mentors have helped shape our

LED bulb. What really intrigued me was the amount City of Naples. Now, to be quite candid there have

of hours that the bulb would last. The label said it been many times over the years where citizens were

would last for over 19,000 hours which was amazing extremely upset at every change that occurred and

and I immediately figured out I might never have to they made every effort to let us know how displeased

change another light bulb once all the ones in my they were with the direction we were going. The

home were replaced with these. I might add that if bottom line is that those of us who live here, or get to

you decide to try one make sure you don’t get the spend time here,raise their families here,or work here

same wattage that the old bulb was. If you need a 60 fully understand and appreciate the opportunities

watt bulb get a 40 watt one, it will definitely give you that Naples offers them.

the same amount of light. Now that the Holiday Season is upon us I’ll just

Next month starts my 43rd year of living in the take this brief moment as I always do at this time of

City of Naples and although I have seen Naples the year to thank our City Staff and all of our City

change drastically it still has retained an ambiance employees for the wonderful job they do all year

that just can’t be matched wherever I travel. As I start long for all of our citizens. Their positive attitudes

my 24th non consecutive year in City politics which help make Naples what it is today and you are all

began in 1984 it’s extremely rewarding for me greatly appreciated!

54 Life in Naples | December 2015