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BILL BARNETT
hope all of you had a good summer and are on your way to a Members of Naples City Council also attempted to revoke the
nice fall and hopefully will be ready for another great Naples permits for the new Naples Jet Center, already under construction,
I season. based on an incorrect reading of city ordinances.
I am going to do something that I rarely do in this article and To be clear, Naples City Council has been divided on these matters.
that is get involved in the controversy that seems to have grasped our Mayor Heitman, Vice-Mayor Hutchison and Councilmember
Naples Airport. In my total of sixteen years as Mayor and twelve years Petrunoff have comprised the anti-airport faction of City Council,
serving on City Council I feel very strongly that I need to perhaps attempting to override the NAA authority. Councilmembers Barton,
shed some light on this subject, especially for the newcomers to our Christman, and Kramer have consistently supported the airport’s
City who need to be brought up to date. continued operations and the integrity of an independent NAA. As
The Naples Airport is truly one of the great success stories in our for Councilmember Penniman, her opinions differ from meeting to
community. In the 1960’s the airport was managed by the City of meeting and I can’t say for sure where she stands.
Naples, losing money and performing poorly. City leaders requested the But this latest rhetoric and proposed actions by some city council
Florida legislature establish an independent Naples Airport Authority members have directly led to the latest chapter of the saga. The
(NAA) to manage and operate the airport. This was accomplished in introduction of a draft bill by Representative Adam Botana of Bonita
1969. I moved with my family to the City of Naples in 1973 so I feel Springs that would change how the Naples Airport Authority board
I am more than qualified to write this article. is selected.
Since 1969 the airport has grown and flourished under professional This legislation would replace the current process under which
leadership. Today it is recognized as one of the best general aviation Naples City Council appoints board members to one in which the
airports in the country. It is financially successful with ample reserves. members are elected in countywide elections. Three members would
The NAA board is composed of five Naples residents who are continue to be Naples residents but two would be Collier County
appointed by the Naples City Council. These individuals serve as residents.
community volunteers with NO compensation. Over the years I am never against elections of our local officials, including those
residents with strong business and aviation backgrounds have ably serving on independent boards. For example, we elect our School
served in this role. Board Members. Elections are the most direct and important tool of
Given the above it should be surprising to many that our Naples democracy.
Airport has become such a subject of contention in recent times. The I am extremely concerned about the dilution of governance
central issue has been the growth in private jet traffic in season and responsibility for the NAA from the City to the County. The airport
the noise impact that it has on certain areas of the city, particularly is on city-owned land under a long-term lease arrangement. Only
portions of Old Naples. the City provides services to the airport (police, fire, EMS, utilities).
Yes, the increase in jet traffic at the airport is real and a true The County provides none. Why should NAA members be elected
reflection of the growth of Naples as a home and destination for “Countywide” regardless of their residency?
people who own private jets or can afford to travel by private jet. There The legislation also would require all five members of the NAA
is no doubt the convenient access to our airport is an attraction which in the future to come from the “aerospace” industry, which I believe is
also strengthens property values throughout our city. way too narrow a background to impose on the entire board.
However, I find it extremely disturbing that concern over a very At the same time, I understand why this bill was introduced given
limited issue, jet noise in one specific area of our city has morphed into the incessant Heitman/Hutchison/Petrunoff attacks on the airport
broader attacks on our airport. aided by local anti-airport interest groups.
This has led to proposals to relocate the airport, force it to no longer My final thoughts are after living in the City of Naples for 52 years
accept federal grant money to support its operations, and even to wind I sincerely hope there will be ample opportunity for thoughtful local
down its operation. Fortunately, the NAA has thus far demonstrated leaders to sit down with our state legislative representatives and find
through studies and research the folly of these ideas. For example, ways to appropriately modify this bill. Our airport is far too important
moving the airport to a new site in eastern Collier County would cost for our community to become a political punching bag!
upwards of two billion dollars which would be paid for with taxpayer For you returning snowbirds have a great upcoming season!
dollars. Enjoy your winter.
The vicious attacks on the airport at Naples City Council continue All the Best,
to increase in recent months. There have been numerous calls for the Bill Barnett, Former Mayor
firing of the NAA executive director and for certain NAA board I do respond to e-mails at: mayornaples@gmail.com
members to resign, none of which Council has authority to authorize.

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