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BILL BARNETT

ere we are in the middle of Season The first is Bill Kramer who has
in Naples and in the middle of a dedicated over 25 years serving our Naples
HCity Council Election that will Community. He and his family share deep
no doubt be contentious. I have said in my rooted connections to our City. Coach Bill
past two articles that I would keep you the Kramer is a well-respected leader in both
readers up to date and I am going to do that. education and sports and aims to bring the
The opinions that follow are strictly mine. same passion and commitment to Naples
There are six council members and one City Council. He is one of my City Council
mayor for a total of seven. The election choices.
will be on March 19, and the last day to The second council candidate is Tony
file for a Council Seat or the Mayor’s seat Perez Benitoa. He is a successful Board
was January 19. As of today, there are three Certified Marital and Family Law attorney
Council Members who will be staying on and a Supreme Court Certified Mediator.
because they still have 2 years left on their current terms. Due to a Helping others is what he does and that’s why he’s running for City
recent resignation by a council member, there are now three council Council. Tony has served on many boards and committees in Naples
seats up for election and the mayor’s seat. and he is a beloved coach of the boys’ varsity soccer team. Bringing
There are three candidates currently running for mayor. The first out the best in himself and others is one of the foundational drivers
candidate is Ted Blankenship who is just finishing his first term as in Tony’s life. He is another of my City Council choices.
a Council member and he seems to think by his campaign literature The third council candidate is Berne Barton. The Barton name
and e-mails he sends out that he can fix anything that he feels needs is well known in the City of Naples as his parents have been active
fixing. One example is he pledges to never raise your taxes. He seems in the Naples community for many years. Berne was born at Naples
to forget this takes the majority of Council to do, but it sounds good Community Hospital and raised in Downtown Naples. A graduate
to the voters but is an empty pledge. of Naples High School and Auburn University where he earned his
The second candidate is the current mayor, Teresa Heitmann. bachelor’s degree in operations management. He is a proud family
Her campaign literature speaks of issues she has dealt with and one man and his wife Audra has been a Collier County school teacher for
that jumps out is her quote “If you re-elect me I will ensure your 28 years and a Golden Apple recipient. As a lifelong resident, Berne
voice guides the future of the City”. I haven’t quite figured that one couldn’t stand idly by while the very fabric of homeowner’s rights
out as once again citizen’s voices and requests are handled by all of was under assault. He has witnessed the current administration
City Council, not just one person. undermining property rights and neglecting the voices of the
The third and final candidate (so far) for mayor is Gary Price. He majority. This was his driving reason to take a stand and fight not
is my choice for mayor and sets a fine example of what a mayor for only his rights, but the rights of every homeowner in our community.
our city should be. Gary has experience, drive, and the know how to Berne is another of my City Council choices.
improve our lives here in Naples and has proven it by his past City Linda Penniman is the fourth Council candidate to announce.
Council experience. All one has to do is google her as she has served on so many boards
He is well-known in our City and knows the real issues that and committees in Naples including serving on City Council in
need to be dealt with; for example, when the current Council tried 2014. She had to resign due to a medical problem that her husband
to restrict citizens on how they could rebuild their homes after had.
Hurricane Ian, hence the forming of House Bill (SB 250). He has a Once again, I caution the City voters to do their homework
list of items that all make sense and are doable with strong leadership when selecting candidates, and I hope I have helped some of you
which he will provide. with my selections.
There are four council candidates that have chosen to run for
Bill Barnett, Former Mayor
City Council.
I do respond to e-mails at: mayornaples@gmail.com
8 Life in Naples | February 2024