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MAYOR’S

CORNER

MAYOR BILL BARNETT

oday is November 24, 2019 and Thanksgiving is right Baker Park has been a huge success and I haven’t had one
around the corner but I’m writing January’s article. negative comment. I am so proud of that park and if you haven’t
TOf our eight grandchildren we have six in Naples and been it is an absolute must to see.
two in Scottsdale, Arizona and we never know which of them Politics for the New Year are alive and well. I found out
are going to be here for the Holidays. We all take turns hosting Friday that I have an opponent running against me for Mayor.
and my daughter Kim is doing Thanksgiving. And so far she has Our election is March 17th, and the campaigning will start for
24 people attending, all family. My Buffalo Bills are on national real immediately after the Holiday season is over which means
TV against Dallas, so I’m not overly optimistic about the Bills now as you read this January edition. I am curious to see how
winning that game but stranger things have happened. Turkey is those that are planning campaign forums are going to pull that
not my favorite food, but there will be so much to eat that I don’t off. As of this writing there are eight City Council candidates
think I’ll starve, and the rumor is that my grandson Jacob who is and two of us for Mayor. Of the City Council candidates four of
an amazing cook is going to make a beef dish as a side but I can’t us are incumbents. It is going to be a political nightmare to do
confirm that. Hope springs eternal. but I’m sure they will figure out a way to make it happen so the
voters can at least get to know who the new players are.
I won’t say much more about the upcoming race today, but
“ in February’s Life in Naples article I will give you my opinion on
what to look for in a candidate and some very candid remarks
As Mayor of about the upcoming election and how it affects our City, or
doesn’t. As always there are political groups lining up to do
the City of Naples battle. Some are legitimate, some aren’t, I’ll explain.
As Mayor of the City of Naples my utmost hope is that you
my utmost hope had a Healthy, Happy, Holiday Season. Our great Naples

Community is one of the most charitable communities in the
is that you had a country, and I have been so honored to have played an integral
part with the various groups since my first year in politics which
Healthy, Happy, was 1984. So, as 2020 will mark my 47th year as a resident of the
City of Naples and my 16th year as Mayor, I can say without any
Holiday Season. doubt that we are blessed to be able to live, work, visit Naples as
tourists, and raise our families or retire here.
” Happy New Year!

Mayor Bill

December is booked solid for me with Lighting the Third
Street Tree, The Fifth Avenue South Tree, The Menorah for
Hanukkah, and the Hanukkah celebration at Mercato plus a I do respond to e-mail at mayorbill@naplesgov.com
myriad of others. There is the Boat Parade, Tuba Christmas,
a Fifth Avenue South Market Place event and it seems that our
calendar has very few available dates. We love our nights at home
because they are precious and we can recharge our batteries.
Nobody visiting our City can possibly say that they can’t find
anything to do.

8 Life in Naples | January 2020