Page 8 - Life_In_Naples_December_2018

MAYOR’S

CORNER

MAYOR BILL BARNETT

’m not sure as I write this article for Life in Naples on think that some of these drivers don’t even know their vehicle
October 27th, that I’m quite ready for this December has directional signals installed), going 15 mph in a 45 mph
edition. Today is the alleged day that the depressing zone while blocking all three lanes, taking up two parking
I heat and humidity that we have endured since May is spaces, and myriads of others the list is endless. However with
really going to disappear and cool dry weather will be with us all that being said my disposition remains calm and when I
hopefully until next May. I would think that having lived in the observe these infractions I just smile and take it in stride. Yes,
City of Naples for almost 46 years I would be used to it. Well, our police do a great job in handling the violators, but it’s just a
the early days in Naples when my children were in elementary part of our winter season. I would be remiss if I didn’t comment
school the weather was somewhat novel. The weather patterns on something I do every year around this time and that’s to
were very predictable. During the summer months you could let everyone know that as we move in to December and the
count on looking east at around busy Holiday season that there are
2-3pm in the afternoon, see the a few things you shouldn’t take for
storm clouds building, and sure granted. Each year Naples restaurant
enough we would get an hour’s Thankfully our City and County population increases and our
worth of downpours with thunder restaurants are highly competitive, as
politics remain civil and I am
and lightning and by 5pm it would they need to be to stay in business.
be clear until the next day when pleased that although our City They are cutting edge and receive
the same pattern would occur. I can many awards both locally and
absolutely say that the patterns have Council doesn’t agree with every nationally. With family members and
changed over the years. I don’t claim friends along with tourists coming
exclusivity for that here in Naples, issue (as it should be) we work to Naples to visit please make sure
it seems as if the entire country well as a team. I suppose I should you make a reservation if you plan
has witnessed the same strange on dining out. I can’t begin to tell
consider myself lucky in today’s
weather patterns these days. I’m not you how many folks tell me how
complaining! Naples is a great city political environment to have disappointed they were when they
and a great place to live regardless went to dine out and couldn’t get
such a great team to work with.
of whether you are young and just a seat in the restaurant they chose.
starting out or looking for a great That’s not to say that there aren’t
place to retire we have it all and no some really good restaurants that
snow! ( Just an occasional hurricane) don’t take reservations, there are, and
It is extremely difficult for me to watch the political scene I know lots of people who are equally happy to have a seat at
on the national level these days and I hear from many of my the bar, enjoy some great conversation and have some laughs
constituents on a daily basis just how disappointed they are as along with cocktails. When their table is ready they are not the
well. Thankfully our City and County politics remain civil and least bit upset that they might have waited for over an hour to
I am pleased that although our City Council doesn’t agree with be seated. After all they are on vacation, enjoying family and
every issue (as it should be) we work well as a team. I suppose I friends, and loving Naples. I’m not one of them that would go
should consider myself lucky in today’s political environment to without a reservation.
have such a great team to work with. I wish each and every one of you a Happy, Healthy, Holiday
I am seeing on a daily basis that many of our winter Season! As Mayor of the City of Naples there isn’t a day that goes
residents are returning to Naples especially since it’s getting by that I am not thankful for what our constituents have bestowed
cold up north. I’m glad they are back but there are certain times upon me and that is the honor and privilege to be their Mayor.
each day that I wish they had left their driving habits back in I do respond to e-mail @ mayorbill@naplesgov.com.
their home state. Lane switching with no signals, (actually I Mayor Bill

8 Life in Naples | December 2018