Amazing Community Shows How Its Done

Wow, it’s been busy, but the businesses are handling it beautifully! Yes, it’s tough, but worth it. It’s also been busy in the event world. So many truly marvelous events, but especially The Wall That Heals, which was handled masterfully! The organization was impeccable, and so were the volunteers and coordinators. Many did a little and joined together to make it a huge success! But then there were so many who also did A LOT!!! I could name names, but there were so many I’d surely miss someone. You saw them though! Every day, all times of the day… and night! It almost looked like it was effortless but believe me, so much effort went into the beginning that the end went smoothly! Many hands make a big success. I heard from Lee Rubenstein, Post Commander for the American Legion, that there were over 18,000 people who came to view The Wall! That’s amazing. And the Breeze carried the most stunning picture of the parade of motorcycle escorts. That’s one paper I just had to save! It gave me goose-pimples just to see it on the front page of our paper. We need to give so many people outstanding credit, but we’ll probably never see those who did so much. They just quietly hang around among us. Thank Heavens we are giving those that gave so much a final fitting goodbye. Rest in Peace. 

Did I mention how full the golf courses are? I keep hearing that Golf is a dying sport, but to see the throngs of people who come to Florida to play golf, or while the family is there, others play golf here! As I’ve said previously, restaurants on the golf courses—like Sam Sneed’s on the Lely Golf course—parking lots are full of cars, but those cars belong to the golfers who haven’t started to eat yet. Then those people who claim that it’s a dying sport want to build smaller, shorter golf courses because “millennials don’t play golf.” Maybe they are getting their facts from other municipalities or counties or states, but not here! Then there are the major golf events and tournaments that specifically come to this area to enjoy our weather and our golf courses and the beach! Just recently, The Chubb Classic played at Lely Resort. Wow, what a crowd! The area looked like those popular places that host huge television golf tournaments, and it was right here, right around the corner from where we live! How exciting!

*Speaking of sports: Pickleball! Yes, the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships are just around the corner! About 10,000 people converge on the East Naples Community Park on Thomasson Drive for at least a week, many for longer as they practice, etc. Note: many have bought homes nearby just to have homes near the championship courts, and that number grows every year! Although the Championships are talked about a lot, there are other Tournaments played at this park in other months, with at least 800 players some of the time! Plus, they also have classes and an academy! There is a lot going on at the smallest park in the Collier County Parks System, but that is soon to change as they are building another 10 courts right now for this year, bringing the total to 64 Pickleball courts all in one park! That park is now considered the largest Pickleball Park in the World! And yes, right in our own East Naples back yard! Also, next year that park will finally be upgraded to a much better condition. This year, they are upgrading some of the essentials such as electricity and fiber optic, to name a few. By next year there will be new bathrooms, (Whew! We’ve been waiting for them for 5 years!) Meanwhile, they rent portable, very nice clean bathroom trailers with about five stalls in each, plus mirrors and sinks that look like a home in a trailer. They do the best they can with what they have. I hope you come to see the area this year! We’ve been waiting for you! Then you can compare next year with the new look! Please come by. You’ll be amazed at how they can transform this little park into a really nice Tournament Park! And what I’ve learned over the years is that people like the smallness of this park because they can see everything going on, stop at different courts without traveling a distance, and camp right there during the day, pitching tents, etc. There is food and music all day, retail sales of tennis shoes, paddles, t-shirts, etc. in huge tents. 

*Note from the FDOT! The FDOT has scheduled the first public meeting for the I-75 Managed Lanes studies. The date for Naples/Collier County meeting will be March 24th, from 5 PM to 7 PM at the North Collier Regional Park – Exhibit Hall, 15000 Livingston Rd., Naples, 34109. GEC Project Manager: Nicole B. Harris, PE – direct – 863-519-2335, mobile 407-221-2338. 

E-mail: Nicole.Harris@dot.state.fl.us. 

And now… the candidates for Commission District One, a huge subject! I have said I would endorse someone, but it wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I was sure one candidate would stick way out in front after the first forum and it would be easy, but it wasn’t. So off I went to all four Candidate forums that have been held. Then to appointments with them for lunches, phone conversations, emails, as well as attending many functions they attended and listening to what people were saying. By this time, I had narrowed it down to a few candidates, but still had some questions to be sure they were what I was looking for and would be good for our entire district. 

So, after much deliberation and talking with so many people, the final decision was made this week at one of my “Island’s Advisory” committee meetings. It came down to who would work on behalf of all the residents in the district, who had knowledge of the district’s issues, was a good listener with fairness and common sense, and had interest in serving the community more than self. The front runner and my endorsement goes to Jacob Winge. I know some of you are saying, but he’s so young. Although Jacob is young, and that seems to be his biggest hurdle, he has extensive knowledge about Collier County Government and the issues we face in our entire district. He has a strong passion for our community, he listens and will dedicate himself full-time. I feel his philosophy and commitment to us will be a strong one. Please join me in supporting Jacob Winge for District 1 County Commissioner!