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BILL BARNETT

It has become a ritual for me at this time of each year when I blood pressure down. After many months of being without a full
write my Life in Naples article which covers the next three months time City Manager they recently hired one. I was pleased with the
because to me it means the end of another Winter Season in Naples. choice they made, and I only hope that he will be able to stand
When I look back on this prior season it has been a whirlwind of firm and do his job as our City Manager without interference and
positive energy. After being pinned down by COVID-19 for the last micromanagement that has occurred and keeps occurring from the
two years it’s like setting us free and letting us return to normalcy, if Mayor and City Council (my opinion). His job responsibilities are
there is such a thing, I will say I have never seen a busier season and very clear and concise and there is a definite line in the sand drawn.
that’s 49 years of living in the City of Naples. One could certainly Although I know for a fact there will be some ruffled feathers the
argue that because of the tremendous amount of building that’s Mayor and Council just need to do their jobs and let him do his and
happening in the County we will continue to be busier every season a lot of issues will be resolved, period!
because I don’t know of anyone that Although I am officially retired
doesn’t enjoy the amenities that are from politics, I’m not retired
offered in the City of Naples, and the from leading a busy life. It will be
County as well. interesting this summer to see if
The County certainly takes their Safe travels there will be a noticeable difference
share of hits from traffic, building, in traffic when we drive to New York
overcrowding, and a myriad of other for all of you because of gas prices which I hope
issues to complain about and if they’re will have come down by then. Our
that bad why do people keep moving who head in drive will certainly be a little lonelier
here? I will share with you that if you without two of our pets that passed
asked me my number one pet peeve away this last year. We still have our
driving in the County it would be the every direction. rescue Maine Coon cat Ava, so we
lack of traffic light synchronization. won’t be totally without a pet. We are
Although I sound like a tourist when constantly asked will you get another
I say this, the truth is they are doing dog? I have to answer no. Although
the best they can, and there are going there haven’t been any days so far that
to be some spots you will come to and pray that you can make I don’t think about it and actually I have a hard time remembering
the green light or you’re going to be waiting what seems to be an a time in my life that I didn’t have a dog, so this is tough. However,
interminable amount of time. In reality maybe five minutes but and I say this with tongue in cheek if it were to ever happen again,
definitely more when traffic is backed up. All of my secret routes I think a Frenchie would be our next choice but who knows, with
and shortcuts are gone, they have been discovered and it’s learning me being an avid Bulldog lover. Right now, it’s just not in the cards!
how to adjust my schedule so I can be on time. Of course, it never Safe travels for all of you who head in every direction. It’s always
fails that I leave to go somewhere out in the County and my GPS fun for us to head to Buffalo where there are lots of family, picnics,
system tells me it will take 20 minutes to get there. I allow a few pizza and Buffalo Wings, fresh grown sweet corn, great restaurants
extra minutes just in case it’s longer, and lo and behold every traffic in downtown Buffalo and being in walking distance of Lake Erie.
light I approach is green and I’m there way too early. We all know I will tell you that upon our return to Naples I will not eat another
when you’re in a hurry to get to an appointment you will absolutely chicken wing or an ear of corn until summer of 2023!
miss every light and hit traffic and just the opposite occurs when See you soon!
you’re in no rush it’s all green!
I can’t help it, but local politics are a part of my life and always Former Mayor,
will be. Even though my opinions don’t count anymore it doesn’t Bill Barnett
mean that when I watch the decisions being made by the Mayor
and current Council, I have to remind myself to relax and keep my I do respond to e-mails at: mayornaples@gmail.com

8 Life in Naples | May, June, July 2022