Page 12 - LIN.JANWEB

MAYOR’S CORNER

Happy New Year!

MAYOR BILL BARNETT
A t the end of a year I like to reflect on the it’s back to City
Next month
past year and of course talk about New
Year’s resolutions. Well this year no more
New Year’s resolutions for me. I have
made a conscious decision and have decided that business with
from this point on I’m going to set attainable goals updates on Baker me her GAP card statement
that I hope I can accomplish rather than resolutions that had just arrived that
Park and other
that usually get forgotten within a week of making day. She asked me to look at
them. The only one that I have absolutely no control great events it because she had paid her
over but nonetheless falls into the long-term goal last month’s bill, which was
category is I want to become a centenarian! Now, going on in our $16.84, and the statement
that’s certainly worth a good laugh, and I smile City. reflected they had received
when I set that goal because that’s 24 years away, but it and credited it. However
with today’s health technologies and healthy options there was now a balance of
coupled with wonderful programs such as The Blue $17.84 and she hadn’t used the card since paying the bill.
Zones Concept, I have many resources to choose I looked at it, took a deep breath, and called the customer
from and so do you! So next year when I write my service number listed on the statement. After holding for
New Year’s article in Life In Naples I’ll let you know about 30 minutes and having pushed about 20 numbers to
how that’s going. (Hopefully) get there I finally had a live person to talk with on the line. I
Reflecting back on 2016, I sure can’t say, “Ho- explained our issue to her and she immediately responded in
hum it was just another boring year.” It had many a condescending tone and said that unfortunately our check
bright spots and some dark spots and certainly was one day late and a late fee was automatically assessed. I
from September 15th, 2015, when I announced agreed with her that this was definitely a serious issue, (tongue
that I was going to run for Mayor again to March in cheek) but even a 30 percent late charge fee would have
15th, 2016 when I was elected it was an emotional been $5.04 and how did they get to the $17.84 number? Well,
rollercoaster that ended up as a huge bright spot! of course she had no idea and finally after consulting with the
Of course our eight grandchildren are all certainly powers that be she came back on the line and begrudgingly
bright spots! Four of them in college, one who is waived the late fee and never offered an explanation. The moral
16-years-old is full-time with the Boston Ballet. of this story is in today’s world you just can’t be too careful. I
The youngest is a freshman in high school, one is can’t begin to imagine how often we get taken advantage of
a going to Veterinarian tech school and one is a because we don’t pay close enough attention to detail and it
licensed fishing captain and they keep us busy! unknowingly costs us plenty.
Moving forward throughout the 2016 year there was I have received quite a few positive e-mails about my
certainly the incredible sadness that is felt as some mentioning mom and pop businesses in Naples and will
dear friends and some of my long-time associates continue to do so in my articles. Kudos to all of them! Koenig
passed away. After living in the city of Naples for Art Emporium on Central Avenue gets this month’s special
44 years it seems to become more difficult daily to shout out. Not only have they endured the Central Avenue
read the obituaries in the local paper and not know construction, but weathered the economic ups and downs and
someone whose name is in there. have been a family Art and Framing owned business for over
A not so memorable experience occurred about a thirty years. The Walbert family has recently welcomed their
month ago that I would like to share with you. With daughter Kim who has become a member in the business.
all the daily media reports about credit card theft and Next month it’s back to City business with updates on
scams, my wife Chris and I are very careful to check Baker Park and other great events going on in our City.
our credit card statements both online and received I do respond to e-mails at mayorbill@naplesgov.com.
in the mail almost daily. A few weeks ago she gave I hope that 2017 turns out to be the best year ever for you!