Dear Mayor Renzi,
Each July for the past 12 years, I have been teaching students from the California State University campuses in Florence. Since you became mayor, my wife and I marvel at the great improvements you have made. It is more of a walking city than it ever has been. It is cleaner. The many pots with trees and flowers make the city even more attractive. And you are to be applauded for ridding some parts of the city from the cobblestones and paving streets with tar. The cobblestones are nice, but too many people have broken their legs when their heels get caught in the cracks. Businesses along the Arno are painted and clean.
We do have one idea for you. Why not put ticket machines downtown? So one can purchase train tickets in the city without having to go to the train station.
Simply, the policies of your administration have improved the City of Florence. I sometimes wonder what you could do for the entire country of Italy. My friends throughout Italy say you will be prime minister one day. I also hope my students enrolled in the Florence International Media Workshops could interview you next year for the television show, World Press, we produce each year in Italy.
As one who is also in politics in the United States, I know what you have to go through to make the needed changes. Keep pushing forward. You have made a tremendous difference in Florence. Congratulations!
Sincerely, Anthony R. Fellow, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Radio-TV-Film. California State University, Fullerton
Dear Anthony,
Thank you very much for your kind words. We certainly are working hard to improve the liveability of the city.
While your suggestion regarding ticket machines is a good one, this is another example of an area over which I, as mayor, have no control. The placing of these machines is up to the railroad, Trenitalia. I can direct you, however, to their website where it is possible to buy tickets online. The link to the English page is: www.trenitalia.com.
Best wishes, Matteo
Those interested in writing to the mayor can send messages and comments via email to redazione@theflorentine.net, stating ‘Write to the Mayor’ in the subject line of the email. Emails must clearly state the author’s first name, surname, city and country of birth, and the city and country of residence.
