Those
interested in writing the mayor can send messages and comments via email to redazione@theflorentine.net,
stating ‘Write 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.
Dear Mayor Renzi,
My wife and I and interested in
moving to your city; we have vacationed in Florence many times and love it. As
far as housing, we have no problem in finding many listings online, but we are
interested in possibly opening a small restaurant serving American-style food
for the college kids and Americans who are so far from home. We were wondering
what the rules or regulations are for food-vendor trucks in the city. To whom
can you refer me in order to find a location to rent or lease for a business in
the city? Any information you can give would be very helpful. We hope to be
living in your great city soon.
Thank you for your time,
Charles Barilla
Dear Charles,
Thank you. I’m happy that you like Florence so much that you’re thinking
of opening a restaurant here! There are detailed regulations about running a
business in the city: you can find them on our website, www.comune.fi.it (go to the
section ‘Comune,’ then to the section ‘Regolamenti’), though I must warn you
they are written in Italian. Should you need further information, please
contact the service for productive activities by writing to this email: segr.economico@comune.fi.it.
I wish you good luck in your culinary enterprise!
Best,
Matteo Renzi
Editor’s Note:
Some information in English on opening a business in Florence is
available at http://en.comune.fi.it.
Dear Mayor Renzi,
Please could you take a moment to
read this email and offer your thoughts.
Whilst on my very first visit to
your beautiful city (in fact, my first visit to Italy), I found myself in a
very upsetting situation involving your local bus company. Having being misled
by various shopkeepers as to which bus would take me to my hostel (Ostello
Villa Camerata), I boarded bus number 11 and asked for directions. The bus
driver not only ignored me several times, but he did not even make eye contact
and preceded to close the doors and drive off with me still on board. Not
knowing where I was going, I was then told by a young man standing next to me
that I must have a ticket. I told him I had a ticket and showed it to him. I
asked him for help; he also ignored my requests and turned away.
By this time, I was getting very
anxious and distressed, as it was late and dark. I then took a seat to gather
my thoughts and to try and calm myself. Another passenger came up to me and
informed me that the bus terminated directly outside the hostel and apologized
for the lack of help of his fellow countrymen. He then informed me that I needed
to validate my ticket and he took me to the machine. But I was then stopped by
the young man who had previously asked me about my ticket, and he stated I was
too late to get it validated. I asked him to explain what he meant and he told
me he was a ticket inspector and that I should have validated my ticket upon
boarding the bus. He then proceeded to issue me a 50 euro fine; other
passengers then came up to him telling him it was unfair the way I was being
treated, to which he stated it had nothing to do with them and for them to go
and sit down. He then told me I had to get off the bus and get the money to pay
him. I asked him how long I would have to pay this fine; he told me five days.
I presented my fine at the main ticket office a few days later only to be told
that the fine was for 60 euros. Extremely upset, I paid.
I believe I have been a victim of
a malicious scam operating within your city. This incident caused me a great
deal of upset emotionally and financially, as I had been traveling across Europe
on a budget. On my travels across Europe and Asia, I have never encountered
such blatant disregard towards me as a tourist.
I do hope you can spare me the
time to send me your feedback on this sad issue.
Yours sincerely,
Stewart Houghton
London, United Kingdom
Dear Stewart,
I’m very disappointed to read what happened to you, and I cannot but
apologize for such an unpleasant episode. I will personally look into your case
with the president of our transport system. Perhaps you can take some consolation
in knowing that we have just begun a new service for tourists on city buses,
called Studenti a Bordo or, in English, Students on Board. University students
will help people who don’t speak Italian to understand the rules and
itineraries as they ride, or while they wait at bus stops. Students
participating in the project will be easily recognizable and will assist
foreign visitors as they travel through Florence on public transport.
While I know this cannot make up for your most unfortunate experience, I
do hope it will help others avoid a similar experience. Thank you again for
writing to me about this. I sincerely hope this will not keep you away from our
beautiful city in the years to come.
Best,
Matteo Renzi
