Page 8 - LIN_April_2024_web_file

BILL BARNETT

ell, it’s finally over. At the time of this writing, the city Of course, they were the only two fine dining restaurants in Naples
election results aren’t quite in yet, but when you receive when I moved here in 1973! Back then, every time a new dining
W this edition they will be. For me, the last three months establishment came to Naples word spread like wildfire. I can
have been as stressful as if I were running for Mayor or City Council. remember when the first authentic Italian restaurant opened its
It was, by far, the ugliest city election I have ever witnessed. To sum doors here- it was called Peter Vivonetto and they were from Long
it up and move on, it was filled with bad behavior unbecoming of our Island, New York. To move the calendar to today, I’ve lost count of
citizens of the City of Naples. The lies, untruths, and mailers made how many really good places to dine there are in Naples. We have
it impossible to figure out who to vote for unless you followed my so many choices from great steakhouses to awesome pizza and
prudent advice in the last three issues of Life in Naples and really did pasta places, that there is no way I can name an absolute favorite.
your homework. I can only hope for the longevity of our city that However, with that being said, if asked, I can make some very good
the right choices were made. You can wager that my May article will recommendations regardless of what ethnicity you choose.
have my conclusions on this past city election. The weather for February has been spectacular. I can't remember
Now, for some of my favorite subjects at this time of the year! having these warm days and cool nights for such a long stretch. I
Traffic, restaurants, weather, tourists, growth in the county, and the think our tourists and winter residents are loving it, and I know the
end of another busy season! The conversation about traffic comes up hotel industry is having a banner season.
on a daily basis- how horrible it is and can’t someone do anything I am also asked what I think the biggest challenge that we face
about it. The simple answer is no, and I often say it’s not the Long for the future of Naples is going to be. My opinion is: finding an
Island Expressway, or I-95 in the Washington-Baltimore corridor electrician or a plumber or, for that matter, any tradesperson to make
and a bevy of other examples but none of my answers make it any a house call and fix a problem. I’m not saying it will be impossible, but
easier for folks to deal with. The City can’t build any more roads and it will be expensive. As the housing market skyrockets, tradespeople
with the way the growth in the county is exploding the county can’t are moving further east and north to more affordable housing. A
keep up either. The bottom line is deal with it. We all know it’s going good example today is, if you drop someone off at RSW for an early
to be bad from Christmas to New Year’s week and January through flight, the traffic heading south is almost bumper to bumper every
the end of March. The first sign of a break will come after Easter and day! I know the county is building affordable housing, but can they
by Mother’s Day for the most part it is gone. I know for a fact that build enough to quell this issue?
the City has tried everything possible to alleviate the traffic yet there I hope all our Winter residents had a great season and have safe
is no solution. travels to wherever you’re heading!
I am always asked for my favorite restaurants and it used to be
a very simple answer. Now, however, I have to ask- what ethnicity? Bill Barnett, Former Mayor
There aren’t a lot of you here today that can remember my two favorite I do respond to e-mails at: mayornaples@gmail.com
Naples restaurants, St. George and the Dragon and Piccadilly Pub.

8 Life in Naples | April 2024