My Thoughts Exactly by Annette Kniola

I began this blog with happy holidays and cheerful, but the more I began to write, the less cheerful I have become.  Solemn now actually.  An old friend of mine, Kelly Tontodonato, who I have not talked to in many years, contacted me via Facebook on behalf of her son Louis Tontodonato. Louis Tontodonato is a 19 year old boy who lives out here in The Estates, a graduate of Palmetto Ridge High, and who has since been struck with a tragedy beyond any parents dreams.  Louis was in a bad car accident and is now a paraplegic. Kelly wrote that he was getting ready to start college at Florida Southwestern, graduated in May with a 3.9 GPA.  He played baseball with my son Daniel as well.  Louis was going to tryout for the college team and he still plans on going to college next year. He wants to major in finance.   GGALL Red Sox 2010. My son Daniel, is second one in kneeling, Louis next to him. Third one in kneeling. Below is Louis and Kelly on graduation day in M

Ya think it took me long enough to write since the election?  Ya think I went into a closet to hide? Nope!  It just took me this long to finally write to you!  And I’m glad I am.  I miss writing. This past year has really put a damper on my writing life.  I keep saying I’m back, but then where do I keep going?  Lol! Today’s blog title is called “Just 41 Votes.”  Yes, that was the number that was the fate to my becoming the next Fire Commissioner for Big Corkscrew Fire District.  Though seeing my counterpart Chris Crossan win another term was well worth it.  I’m perfectly fine that I did not win, surprised a little, but fine.  But I also need to vent to you a little  here as well.  So this is my venting blog too. Ya wanna know why?  Because sweet ole Annette played a very clean, very honorable campaign.  But now we have all come to realize that’s not how it’s supposed to work if you really want to win.  Sad but true.  And I must remember, money donations from outside

                                                  Both Endorsed! Very nice! Yes, the time has come when we have reached the final countdown to this years General Election with only 7 days to go!Thank God! I want to thank the many people for the wonderful endorsements. The Big Corkscrew Island Fire Department, North Naples Fire Department, Democratic Party of Collier County, Naples Daily News,  Southwest Florida Professional Firefighters and Paramedics-Local 1826, my favorite Air Conditioning Company-Romeo Air, Frank Messana, Heather Lukosavich, Disarro Building and Remodeling, and Peg Whitback.  All wonderful people that got me through my champagne campaign on my beer budget.  I had no idea this it would end up being quite the interesting race.  Running for Fire Commissioner has certainly brought me some good challenges and some bad.  Mostly good because I want to keep the positive energy going thru November 4th and beyond. What I have really come to appre

Spencer Scholtz (driving) and brother Sam Scholtz on their first day of school at Palmetto Ridge High School- 2014 If you have not recently heard or read, my nephew Spencer Scholtz was recently blinded in his left eye due to an injury caused from a football play at Palmetto Ridge High School. It was August 22nd, the first game of the year if I recall.  We were all pumped up about it, as we had invited all our friends and family to come and watch him play. Yeah! Go Bears! So we thought… Once the game began,  I think it was just a few plays in, I saw Spencer come up from a play, holding his hand over his eye. He had taken his helmet off by then and was walking towards the sidelines where he met up with a field medic. As I observed from the bleachers, I just figured it was a small hit and he would be fine. The medic looked up into the bleachers as I waved towards her. She immediately waved us to come down. I called over to Mary and she went right to him. Next thin

All I can say to start this blog is OMG!!  What an experience I am having here in New York.  Today I seriously needed a break from all the hoopla of the city that NEVER sleeps.  It’s in the late afternoon here at my friend Georgia’s pad in Brooklyn and I am seriously overwhelmed by the chaos of this state, so decided to chill out today and write to you.  I head home tomorrow. I flew in on Friday morning and have been on the go ever since.  I came up to just check it out.  I haven’t taken a vacation this year and New York was on my bucket list. So why not? The minute I stepped foot into the big city was the minute I felt a change immediately.  Not only was the weather cooler but so were the people.  I was even told to not look at anyone in the eye throughout my time here, they may think you want to steal something.  I say, yeah right, whatever!  It can’t be that way. My outgoing personality speaks volumes and I just love people!  How can anyone sneer at good conversat

You can certainly tell we are in full swing for this years elections. Especially for the Primary Election coming up August 26th.  I received my absentee ballot already, which I highly recommend. You can’t go wrong.  No worries of when or where to go vote, having the pleasure of your own home without the long lines, totally stress free.  The most stress you’ll get out of it is actually finding a damn stamp! Lol! And the signs. Signs, signs, everywhere are signs! Can we find one more ounce of land to stick up another sign?  And the amounts of money spent for these signs must be crazy!  Now don’t get me wrong, signs are good, but how many thousands of dollars do you have to spend to compete with all of these signs?  And since I am running for Fire Commissioner here in the Big Corkscrew Island District, I too will be setting up signs in the near future. I suppose, the more signs you have, the more visibility, which in turn gives you a higher chance of getting more votes in