Page 8 - LIN November 2022 Issue

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DESIGNED

BILL BARNETT

NAPLESPotpourri

find myself in a bit of a quandary as I write this November article,
and it’s one that I have dealt with before but always on the other
I side. Today is September 24th, and I have plans to drive my car
back to Naples from Buffalo. I'll leave this Tuesday, drive to Washington
D.C. and stay overnight, then take the Auto Train which goes from
Lorton, Virginia and ends up in Sanford, Florida. This way I’m back
in Naples on Thursday. Sounds like a good plan except for the fact that
there is an impending Hurricane named Ian that is heading for Florida
and more importantly our area. I’m not so upset with Ian wreaking
havoc on my plans, although I am extremely annoyed. I hope and pray
that he decides to take a turn and go somewhere else, because I’ve had
enough hurricane experiences as the former Mayor to last three life-
times. I can vividly remember each one starting with Andrew, Charley,
Wilma, and Irma and a few no name storms to boot. Of course, when
you read this it will be in November and I can add to this story in a
future article. At this time, they still aren’t sure it’s even going to hit us,
but a State of Emergency has been issued for Florida and that’s enough
for me. So, I’m going to move my trip back one week and as they say,
bite the bullet and hope that I can still get the same arrangements.
Speaking of the Auto Train, I have talked with many people who
have tried it and don’t like it for a myriad of reasons. For some it’s too Well, latest news is the Miami Dolphin fans are one happy group
bumpy, noisy, claustrophobic, late on arrival and departure and more. after defeating my Buffalo Bills today — it was a really good game, they
I will share with you that I have used it for many years and have found earned it.
all of the above reasons valid, but I still like it as do many others. It’s I have said before I do pay attention to the City of Naples politi-
kind of a mixed bag. It does save 900 miles of driving if you’re heading cal scene, but I don’t say much because if I criticize something I see
North or South. Unfortunately, no pets for obvious reasons. Finally, and don’t like it gets perceived as my having sour grapes because I lost
they offer a limited number of sleeping rooms with a bathroom. I get the Mayor election two plus years ago. That’s so not true, but it’s okay,
on that train, go to my cabin, unload the snacks I brought on with eventually it will stop. Speaking about City Council I watched a work-
me, which include the mini liquor bottles, fill the ice bucket, hook up shop they had about a week ago and the subject matter was the Naples
my computer and iPad and I’m good to go. I always download movies Municipal Airport and it turned into something that wasn’t advertised
and TV shows and a few good books so I’m all set. They have a dining for discussion and a Council member said after about 30 minutes of
car, and you are assigned a time to dine and the food is respectable. conversation, hey, we shouldn’t be talking about this. Of course, the
Although it’s a little tough to go to sleep because you do get a bit shaken damage had been done and the general public will hear about it, no
up when the train gets rolling and makes some of those banked turns doubt. They discussed noise, moving the airport, how to stop taking
in the middle of the night, I look out of the window as the train speeds Federal Grant money, and how to switch the takeoff and landing paths.
through the night and the small towns are just a blur as you pass them. What they didn’t realize was that most of the above items they had no
Last year I took my iPhone and put the GPS on and lo and behold it jurisdiction over, but they will find out.
picked up where we were, and it was amazing to see the names of the
towns and where we were on the map. No, I am not getting paid to HAVE A HEALTHY, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
promote the Auto Train. If you want a snapshot of what it’s really like,
watch the movie Cocoon. I can get away with saying that cause I fill that BILL BARNETT, Former Mayor
age bracket! Mayornaples@gmail.com

8 Life in Naples November 2022