Page 8 - LIN_December 2022

•
DESIGNED

BILL BARNETT

NAPLESPotpourri

n my last article in Life in Naples it was a matter of suspense for We started on the North End of the city on Crayton Road, then cut
me as to whether Ian was going to affect us. I also gave a brief over to Gulfshore Blvd. and then to Port Royal and back through Old
Idescription of the hurricanes, that since living in Naples I had Naples. There wasn’t much conversation, but I watched her face, which
experienced, which was four. registered more emotions than I could count. I am by nature an emo-
Well, by the time you read this there won’t be much that I can add. tional person, and I literally had to take a few deep breaths watching
I have never seen anything like Hurricane Ian, and that’s after living her reactions. I’m sure there are many of us that felt the same way,
in Naples for almost 50 years. Many of my friends lost everything, including myself when the enormity of the damage registered.
and I have no doubt that everybody knows someone who was affected. As a former Mayor of the City of Naples I am asked on a daily basis
My grandson lost his car, and my other grandson lost his home. where do we go from here. I wish I could put it in a brief paragraph
I might surprise you if you were to ask me about what my concerns and sum it up, but I can’t. The trickle-down effect is going to take
will be moving forward. 2023 is the City of Naples 100th Birthday and years to see the end result. Things that we don’t normally think about
there was much talk about celebrations and parties and lots of fun hap- will surface — one example is prior to the hurricane ever being an
penings throughout the year. I am going to be as candid as I can be — item, the employment situation was a major problem. Everywhere you
those of you who know me understand that I tell it the way I see it. looked there was a help wanted sign in almost every store window.

I know we will make it back better than ever but it’s going
to take some time. I wish you all a Happy Holiday Season,
although in reality my words feel somewhat hollow
I know you will do your utmost, as I will, to help someone
who is in need this Holiday Season. It will be the best
gift we can give, and every little act of kindness will count.

I respectfully suggest to the powers that be that the birthday celebration So the question is, where are we going to get the people to help us
be put off for at least a year. Let the City use that money they were going rebuild? Finally, I will tell you the scammers will be out in full force!
to spend on celebrating to help as many folks as they can in this time of Beware of people knocking on your door and saying they are a roofer
need. Yes, I was told that maybe we do need something to celebrate and or a builder and can fix any damage you might have. If you don’t see
that might well be the case, which normally I would agree with, but not a permit from either the City of Naples or Collier County don’t fall
with this devastating hurricane. One needs to understand the psycho- for it — it will be expensive!
logical, emotional and physical stress that a disaster of this magnitude I’m still an optimistic guy. I know we will make it back better than
brings. This also brings a certain amount of survivor guilt, if we were to ever but it’s going to take some time. I wish you all a Happy Holiday
be celebrating while there are so many people that have been drastically Season, although in reality my words feel somewhat hollow. I know
affected. This is only my opinion, but I feel strongly about it. you will do your utmost, as I will, to help someone who is in need this
I have a friend who is a Kindergarten teacher with the Collier Holiday Season. It will be the best gift we can give, and every little act
County School System — her husband is also a teacher with the of kindness will count.
system. It was shortly after the streets had opened that I asked her if
she had seen any of the damage in the city. Her answer was no, and I do respond at mayornaples@gmail.com
I asked her would she like to and she said yes so we arranged to meet. BILL BARNETT, Former Mayor

8 Life in Naples December 2022