2012 HERE WE COME

December 31, 2011, by Larry Grantham of FROM THE PORCH

Looking back on 2011, we had some really hard times, but we had a lot of good things as well. We have a community that, at least when it was necessary, pulled together. I want to thank Mayor Reavis, Commissioner Werring and County Commissioner Schuele for taking their time to share the positives of last year.

Now the events of 2011 are behind us, 2012 here we come. This can prove to be a banner year, but there are a lot of decision to be made. On the positive side, they are working on the new bridge and it is set to be done by late summer or early fall. Road and street improvements are moving along. Recycling will continue to be an area of emphasis.

On a personal note, I went to dump my glass in the recycling bin. I had to push bottles out of the way just to dump mine in. While there, several trucks with cardboard arrived to unload. We can all do more, but it is really good to see the facility being used.

The coming year will require us to look at significant budgetary issues. How are we going to use the resources we have in the best way possible. There will be a number of disagreements on this subject. What services to be reduced or what taxes to increase. What area will the city annex and how will services be provided to the annex areas. The Public Schools will be deciding wether to ask for a bond issue to improve facilities.

Finally, 2012 is an election year. Already the mass news media is filled with wrangling over who knows best. We have 10 months to try to sort out who has the best ideas, at least in our individual opinion. We also have to try to figure out who is lying, who is telling the truth and when is each candidate is either lying or telling the truth, there is no reason to believe that any of them are always being completely truthful or always lying.

We as citizens and decision makers have a lot to consider in 2012. We can look forward to a very exciting and positive year. No guarantees that it will be any easier year than 2011, only that each of us has the opportunity to make of the new year what we want.

Happy New Year