Be it resolved that ...
New Year's resolutions. Like rules and football coaches' contracts, they're made to be broken. Or not. No doubt the strong-willed among us have in fact made a New Year's resolution and kept it. But for most folks it's an annual ritual that at least subconsciously the resolver suspects he or she will not be celebrating as a tremendous success 365 days later. Even so, the exercise of resolving to do better, to be better can only be a worthwhile endeavor.
The Mobile Bay Times asked a number of area residents for their resolutions for the New Year 2008. Here's what they said:
"I can think of two: One is to think more before I take action and second to think when facing an issue or decision, how will I feel about my decision or action a year from now?
Summary -- more thoughtful long-term thinking ..."
-- Rose Johnson,
Mobile County Director, Alabama Department of Human Resources
"Here are some wishes/resolutions for the environmental community in 2008.
Reduced cancer risk in Alabama – the Environmental Management Commission on Dec. 14 agreed to start the rule-making process to reduce the risk of cancer-causing chemicals in Alabama’s waters from 1 in 100,000 to 1 in 1 million people. The rule-making process will take roughly six months once begun, but we hope the Commission will ultimately adopt this protection for the people of Alabama.
Water policy – Senator Kim Benefield (D) and Representative Greg Canfield (R) have prefiled a bill to set up a joint legislative committee on water. This could finally begin the process for bringing about comprehensive water policy in Alabama, which will help the state battle the drought better as well as threats from Georgia in the water wars to take too much of our water resources.
Energy policy – During the past five months, a joint legislative committee has been meeting and studying energy policies for the state. They will reveal their legislative package Jan. 22. Among the legislative hopefuls is a bill to establish a tax holiday for Energy Star appliances.
There’s plenty more, but if these items happen in 2008, it will be a good year for the environment.
-- Adam R. Snyder,
Executive Director, Conservation Alabama/Conservation Alabama Foundation
"Pay more attention to my family. Do the things I can do to make life better for all concerned, and not worry about those things which I cannot change or affect."
-- Ed Bishop,
Baldwin County Commissioner
"My political resolution: To do all I can to right the wrongs of the last two administrations and restore the 'idea' of America as a beacon of hope to the world."
-- Rick Kuykendal,
Mobile attorney
"Can't say that I've made any specific resolutions. (I'm) Going to see if I can learn a little more Arabic than the few simple phrases that I know currently."
-- Scott Rye,
Mobile advertising executive and Naval Reserve officer serving in Iraq
"Mine are to get healthy (have had issues this year) and get (U.S. Sen) Jeff (Sessions) re-elected!"
-- Peggi Hanrahan,
secretary, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions
"I have the opportunity to resolve many things since my son died 5 years ago.
1) I want to get back on an even keel with regards to everyday life. It is difficult when one has been through this type of trauma but I must strive to keep myself on track every day of every year now.
2) I want to be a person that kids can look up as a role model, so I must resolve to do, say and be that kind of person.
3) I resolve to better at keeping my cool in times of stress or trouble.
4) I have to remove 20 pounds from my body this year!
There’s lots more; these are just the most important ones. Happy holidays."
-- Lonn Spencer,
Spencer Computer Services
"Eating more salad."
-- Al Stokes,
Mayor Sam Jones' Chief of Staff
"I resolve to inform the citizens of Mobile County that the Democratic Party is not what Karl Rove painted us to be. I will continue to work to let the citizens know that we are a Party that is concerned for the working man, including his employment, health, safety, and wages. To educate the public that there are as many Democrats in church on Sunday as Republicans. To inform the public that war should not always be the first option and that war without sacrifice state side is unsustainable and just plain bad policy. We as Democrats believe in the Bill of Rights and fight harder to enforce them even as Republicans use them to raise money.
I resolve to treat the environment better and use finite resources more wisely. We have finally learned that the consequences of dirty air and water go well beyond issues of a clean environment. It goes to the heart of financing terrorist organizations in oil rich nations as well as deleting American jobs by manufacturing moving to countries with no concern for the degradation of the planet.
Mostly I resolve to spend more time in prayer, to share more of the things with which I have been blessed, and to tell my wife and my children that I love them every day ... no matter what."
-- Brad Warren,
Chairman, Mobile County Democratic Party
"For all citizens of our city to be blessed with good health and wealth."
-- Fred Richardson,
Vice President, Mobile City Council
"Personally, my resolutions are the same as always -- to be as good a father, husband, brother, son and friend as I can.
Professionally, my resolution is to continue the growth of Lagniappe and to help be a positive force for change and growth in the Mobile area."
-- Rob Holbert,
Managing Editor, Lagniappe
"Be the best father God will allow me to be and plan ahead for my daughter's second birthday party (which comes immediately after Christmas). Enjoy our efforts towards having another baby and save more money in expectation of same."
-- Jon Gray,
Partner, Strategy PR
"You can probably guess what my first resolution for 2008 is, and that's to get the gill nets out of our coastal waters.
Besides losing weight and getting more exercise, my other resolutions fade when compared to the task of getting a bill through the Alabama legislature that bans entangling nets other than shrimp trawls, minnow seines, cast nets and landing nets."
-- Ed Williamson,
Director, Coastal Conservation Association of Alabama
