After reading Naples City Council member Joe Herms' guest commentary of April 23, I decided it was time for me to set the record straight and inform the readers and the citizens of Naples of the following facts. For more than a year, the readers of the Naples Daily News and the citizens of our community have listened to accusations regarding Royal Poinciana Golf Club and have heard from the opponents of this annexation half-truths and fabrications. After reading Naples City Council member Joe Herms' guest commentary of April 23, I decided it was time for me to set the record straight and inform the readers and the citizens of Naples of the following facts. This is one of two aquifers which the city uses to supply potable water to the nearly 85,000 customers of the city system.
Collier County does have a wellfield protection ordinance which covers the Coastal Ridge Aquifer.
However, the City Council felt that the best way to protect this aquifer was to have it within the corporate limits. Council then began to discuss annexation with Bear's Paw Country Club, and Bear's Paw was successfully annexed into the city, thus giving the city land-use control over this important basin, as well as assisting the city to build its image and tax base. I was elected mayor in 1996 and shortly thereafter talks of annexation began with Wilderness Country Club. The annexation was successful, but unfortunately there was a major problem with some outparcels and what they could or couldn't be developed into, and Wilderness was de-annexed out of the city. As mayor, I was kept fully informed about these meetings.