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BILL BARNETT

hat better way to start an article than wishing all of fabulous restaurants, performing arts, great golf clubs, superb
W beaches, and wonderful lodging facilities. There is so much more
you a happy, healthy New Year!
I could take another page just to name them. The future looks
By the time you read this article, we will know if my
Buffalo Bills are still on their way to the Super Bowl and, if so, great for Naples, but we are not without our issues either. We
can we finally win one? Time will tell but hope springs eternal! will continue to work on solutions for workforce housing but
What would you have done? Last week I was in the Publix at that doesn’t just pop up out of nowhere. There is property that
Naples Plaza picking up some groceries. When I came out and has been set aside and development is underway, but time is a
went to my car, I noticed the car parked next to me had a dog problem. Our tradespeople end up moving further and further
inside. All of the windows were up and, although the car was away, and if you have ever seen traffic on I-75 South from Cape
running and I’m sure the air conditioning was on, he or she was Coral and points north at 6:30 a.m., you will see what I’m talking
quite active. I’m sure the driver had intentions of just picking up a about and it’s not just during season anymore.
few things and coming right back, but I know for a fact that there 2025 will mark 52 years for me living in the City of Naples.
are car models that will shut down automatically after a period This year in each of my Life in Naples articles, I will finish with
of time left running. I started to get in my car to head home and one of my favorite memories about my experiences during those
then a thought crossed my mind: What if something mentioned years. My first memory was in March of 1972. I received a call
above did happen? I have read too many horror stories of pets from a friend who had moved from New York to Marco Island.
suffocating in cars. We all know it’s not just pets but much worse! He told me it was the most beautiful place he had ever seen, and
I sat there for a minute and then called the non-emergency I should come visit and see what Marco and Naples looked like.
number at the Naples Police Department and gave them the I had no intention of moving, but my former wife and I decided
information, the row number, make of the car and plate number. on a whim to go for the fun of it. We flew to Fort Lauderdale,
They said an officer was close and would check it out. I waited for landed in the late afternoon and drove across the then two-lane
another five minutes and just as the officer pulled up, the owner Alligator Alley (I-75 today). We checked into a motel on the
of the car came back, got in and left. The officer and I chatted for corner of Mooring Line Drive and US 41. The next morning was
a few minutes, and I know she would have at least in a nice way a beautiful sunny day. We spent the day walking and looking at
told the driver that leaving their dog in the car wasn’t a good idea. the uncluttered beauty of Naples and made up our minds that
Bottom line, I felt good and no harm done. night that, even though we didn’t know what we were going to
Just a few weeks ago Naples was named by a top publication do in Naples, Florida, we were going back to N.Y, sell our home
as the number one place in the country to retire! Now, we all have and grab our three young children and move to Naples. We did!
our own opinions when we read an article like that. My personal Have a great January, don’t forget to make reservations if
thoughts are that, although that might be true and it certainly you’re dining out!
sounds good, the realism is how many people can afford to live All the Best,
and work here? Yes, we have everything one could possibly want Bill Barnett, Former Mayor
(with the exceptions of hurricanes) from a great school system, I do respond to e-mails at: mayornaples@gmail.com

8 www.LifeInNaples.net