Page 8 - LIN-Jan-ForWeb

MAYOR’S

CORNER

MAYOR BILL BARNETT

Today is December 6th, and this is the time of year that I would like to ride in the Christmas parade with Mayor Bill
enjoy the most. Hanukkah, Christmas, some cool weather, Barnett” be the winners. It was for 4th and 5th graders. He
family time with the grandkids, and more Holiday events than said yes and of course the staff and their creative minds made
I could possibly attend, but I will try my best! it special with the claim being: “The Grinch is kind”. I don’t
think I could write a paper making the Grinch kind, but the
As Mayor riding in parades has always been a favorite of mine. two 5th grade winners that were announced today sure did!
My two all-time favorite parades are the St. Patrick’s Day At the risk from my editor firing me because I’m going to
parade and our upcoming City of Naples Christmas parade overshoot my word limit but what the heck, it’s the Holidays!!!
which will take place next Tuesday evening December 11th. I am going to share one of the winning papers and next month
Many years ago, when my grandchildren were parade riding the other. Amazing work! And, I don’t get paid so I probably
age I had no problem finding willing riders. After all there won’t get fired.
aren’t a lot of kids out there and
a few adults as well that wouldn’t “The Grinch is Kind”
jump at the chance to be a parade Most people think the Grinch
rider. Well after they became too is unkind, but I got a different
old to ride I figured out a way that Today is December 6th, and thought on my mind. He started of
would make money for a local this is the time of year that I malicious and rotten, but I think
charity and make riding in the there is a spark of love in him that
parades a memorable event. So, I enjoy the most. Hanukkah, has not been forgotten. You may
picked one of the many charities Christmas, some cool think that the Grinch is very ugly
we have in Naples that was having and mean, But I think there is more
an event with a silent auction weather, family time with the to him that you have not seen. He’s
and donated riding in any of the big and ugly and really smells bad,
parades with me. It was for two grandkids, and more Holiday But he saved Christmas so all of
children preferably 3rd, 4th, or events than I could possibly Who-Ville is not sad. He realized
5th graders, and I provided all Christmas does not come from a
the candy for throwing, beads, attend, but I will try my best! shop, that is the day his heart was
hats, and all other goodies that feeling on top. The Grinch returned
go with parades. I’ll never forget all the gifts and all the food, To a
the first time I did that because pleasant surprise he was in a good
it sold for $1500.00. The charity mood. He put time and effort to
was thrilled, the parents that bought it were thrilled for their make things right, So all of Who-ville would have a jolly
kids, their kids were overjoyed, and I was happy and we all Christmas night. That day he was honored with love and joy,
had fun. As time went by I expanded my horizons and found from every girl and every boy. On Christmas day when it was
ways to make those parades beneficial for charities or kids time for the feast, the Grinch was the one that cut the roast
in our local schools. Last month I had the honor of being beast. His heart isn’t as deep as a black hole, So maybe this
Principal for a day at Lake Park Elementary School. It was an year Santa won’t bring him coal. The Grinch is a very kind
amazing experience and I had a new sense of appreciation for person inside, he may not be the best hero but the Grinch
our teachers and the school staff. I shadowed the Principal really tried. Next time when your heart isn’t feeling true,
that day, sat in on a staff meeting, visited classes and was think, if the Grinch can do it so can you!
exhausted when the school dismissal bell rang. I didn’t have
any riders for the upcoming Christmas parade and asked Happy New Year! I look forward to a great 2019 in our
Principal Marker if he would help me find two riders by City of Naples and I do respond to emails at
having a writing contest with the best two entries of “Why I mayorbill@naplesgov.com

8 Life in Naples | January 2019