Editorial
From 2007 to 2008

It has taken the last few weeks to compile the Year in Review piece, which fills much of this issue, and in no way does the story cover every momentous event for those that live in these communities.

There were births, marriages and deaths that were personally important. There were family vacations that will never be forgotten and there were birthdays for each of us (some more momentous than others).

We will each remember different things now, as we look back on 2007 this week as the year ends, and then later in future as time continues. As we turn the page to 2008, let us take a moment to remember some important community wide events of 2007, and remember what we can take into the next year.

World events, such as the war in the Middle East, made their presence known to us this year. In Westminster, the community mourned alongside the Jones family after First Lt. Ryan Patrick Jones was killed in action. In Ashburnham, many members of the town wished Town Administrator Kevin Paicos good luck during his tour of duty with the Army National Guard in Afghanistan.

The Jones and the Paicos families are not the only ones in the community who have had loved ones serving overseas this year. So, as we remember the year that is passing and the look towards the next, we can't forgot all who are serving or waiting for a loved one.

On a local scale, the political debate centered on overrides and budget cuts as two overrides were rejected for the school budget and cuts took effect.

The elected representatives for both the school and the towns had a hard time hearing one another this spring and summer. It seemed that each side was talking and neither side was listening. If 2008 is going to go smoothly, then all sides must listen to each other - not necessarily agree - but listen.

All was not sad or negative this year, Neighbors Helping Neighbor celebrated their 20th anniversary of helping Westminster residents, and work started on the public safety building and Town Hall in Ashburnham.

Let us see what next year brings. Happy New Year!