Page 8 - LIN April 2023 Web File. reduce

BILL BARNETT

haven’t the slightest clue where this Season went! I think I have A friend of mine, Joe Trachtenberg, who was Chairman of the
I
the Season down to a science after living all these years in the Collier County Affordable Housing Committee in Naples, wrote a
City of Naples and I can remember when there was no Season great article that I happened to see, and it really hit home for me.
at all! You might find that hard to believe and wonder if I’m still of For years I’ve been saying that one of the biggest problems we have
sound mind, but I am and I do. Although there are some that insist are places to live in Collier County for our workforce folks. This
it seems like Season all year around in Naples, but that’s not true. includes about every trade you can think of and it’s getting worse. I
Granted we do get more summer traffic each year but it’s nothing will quote a segment of his article. He said, “The workforce housing
compared to what we are experiencing now. The first sign that in Collier County is primarily caused by a significant shortage of
Season is ending is when I see that affordable rental units. Land prices
first car carrier loading up cars to head have escalated to a point where home
to various other parts of the country. ownership is simply not an option for
It’s still exciting to come home that the vast majority of our workers.”
day and say to my wife Chris “Honey, Currently we have 48,000 Collier
guess what I saw today?” She knows workers who today cannot afford to
the answer and we both smile and live in our county which means more
breathe a sigh of relief just knowing traffic on Interstate 75. Another point
that folks will be heading home to in his article was that a consultant
their other residences. Now don’t get hired by the City of Naples last year
me wrong, I am one that loves our estimated the shortage of workforce
tourists and have worked very hard units in our county was at 10,000 and
over the years as a Council Member growing. Recommendations from the
and as Mayor to make sure that they Urban Land Institute, the consultant
are treated well and they will someday hired by the county six years ago, remain
buy a home here and either raise a family, retire, or do something in unadopted and gathering dust.
between, but it will be in Naples. I’m not the only one that knows and has known for years what
Back to my science for a minute. So, after that first car carrier the answer is. The county has the land that’s needed to resolve the
there are many more that follow in large numbers and as for the majority of these issues far into the future but for some inexplicable
winter population decreasing, April 1st is the first real sign of a reason the County Commissioners refuse to for once and for all
decrease because many of our winter visitors/residents have leases designate the property affordable and follow through and make it
that expire March 31st. April is a steady trickle out of town as spring happen.
is starting to bloom in the northern climes and folks want to be I agree with what Joe said at the end of his article: “As we continue
home for that. The next landmark date is Mother’s Day, and from to lose essential workers who cannot tolerate the cost and commute,
then on, you can call your favorite restaurant that you wouldn’t dare the quality of all our lives will deteriorate.” It’s sad but true!
do during the middle of winter here because reservations are at a As we conclude our Season, kudos to all employees both city
premium and tough to get right away. I would always rather give my and county who have done such a great job cleaning up Naples
seat up to a visitor knowing that seats will be plentiful starting in and Collier County from Ian. Make no bones about it, there is still
May and lasting through at least November and into December and a phenomenal amount of work that remains to be done, but I am
that our restaurant and business owners are glad to see us come out confident we will see it completed!
of our winter hideouts and become patrons again during the quieter
Thanks,
months. Another bonus is the 2-for-1 specials once again appear.
Bill Barnett, Former Mayor
I do respond to e-mails at: mayornaples@gmail.com

8 Life in Naples | April 2023