Editorial
New Beginnings

Champagne toasts. College football games. Resolutions to do better. These and more are the sure signs of a new year.

This week we celebrated the arrival of 2008. This new year will include a leap year day, a presidential election, and the summer Olympics; but beyond the traditions of the four-year calendar cycle no one knows what 2008 will bring. We welcome the new year with excitement for new beginnings.

Every year at this time millions of Americans resolve to improve. Some resolve to loose weight. Some strive to be more organized. Others vow to be better parents, children or community members.

Every year at this time American optimism reigns. We are optimistic about the future. We are confidant that we will meet whatever lies ahead.

The challenge for all of us is to channel that optimism, enthusiasm and energy of the new year to improve the community that we live in or work in throughout the year. To that end let us resolve …

… to continue to keep all of the members of the community informed of the activities and the opportunities in town. The opportunities to participate in town government or in activities at the schools are abound, it is the job of this paper and leaders in the community to present them.

… to respect each other as we debate during a tough budget year. The debate between funding programs at the schools, adding to the public safety departments and how much money is needed to repair and manage the roads are going to take center stage as the towns and schools propose the FY09 budgets.

… to run for public office and try to serve. Over the last couple of years some positions have been contested but other positions have gone without a candidate. It is important to get involved.

… to focus on the future. It is hard to focus on the future when we already know what the past holds and the future is unclear. But the past does not foreshadow the future so we must look at each circumstance on its own.