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. Or better still, make resolutions for someone else. When he/she fails to live up to the task, the disappointment, while no doubt real, will at least not be so personal.
The Mobile Bay Times asked a few media types and public officials to make resolutions for each other in the coming year. Here's what they said:
"In 2009, try not to say anything stupid until the camera is rolling!"
-- Tiffany Craig,
reporter, WKRG-TV
"I would ask them to resolve to serve as statesmen, not politicians."
-- Bob Grip,
Fox10 anchorman
"Ben Brooks -- Stand up for his constituents by getting tough on big insurance.
Judy Stout -- Resolve to work on her tin ear, or in the alternative to not speak publicly on school system issues ... ever.
County Commission -- Resolve to formalize a policy to only spend 'education program fund' dollars on education rather than Ciara concerts and the like.
Mike Dow -- Run for Congress (if Jo Bonner runs for governor)."
-- Wade Perry,
Mobile County Education Association
"Keep your eye on the prize. Not just in terms of economic development, but in terms of the area's overall success that came from team work. Elected officials, business leaders, educators. Don't let that spirit of cooperation slip away."
-- Mike Lee,
President/CEO
Page & Jones, Inc.
"I'm probably about to write my next (12/31) column on their resolutions (I have every year for this issue), and I'm kind of thinking about it right now. I have something working in my head about (City Councilman) Clinton (Johnson) resolving to put a dollar in a jar for every time he says one of his famous '-tion' words or uses the third person to insult his fellow councilors. And somehow this will finance (fellow Councilor) Fred's (Richardson) 2009 'trade missions' to Kazakhstan and Antarctica as well as his sister city journeys. But that's all the hatefulness I've come up with so far!"
-- Ashley Toland,
Lagniappe columnist
"A better economy. No proration."
-- Paul Hubbert,
Alabama Education Association
"Steve Nodine, Mayor Sam Jones, etc. – Continue to fight for the Northrop Grumman Tanker Project. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain in this situation. Even part of this contract would mean a lot to Mobile and Boeing is not exactly immune to criticism these days.
Mike Dean -- To return phone calls and even fix roads where appropriate for everyone, even those who do not contribute to his campaign.
Fred Richardson -- To spend his discretionary funds in his own district! Moon Pie Drop? This is why people have such a hard time digesting the whole concept of discretionary funds.
SOME of the City Council and the Mayor -- Consider the real economic impact BEFORE investing $275,000 (or worse, $400,000) in an event we basically already own for $40,000! -- the Gulf Coast 'Classic.'
SOME of the City Council - Do NOT threaten to stop funding events that are already BIG assets to the area as leverage for your argument on issues like the Gulf Coast 'Classic.' For your information, other towns would love to host the Senior Bowl, GMAC Bowl, etc. and empty accusations of racism set us all back immeasurably.
Mayor Jones – Treat annexation of West Mobile like a courtship. Pushing too hard on this is kind of like getting the girl drunk as hell and trying to score on the first date. Her daddy is going to be pissed when she comes home with her panties in her purse and her breath like cheap bourbon. We’ll get further with charm, patience and respect.
To All Elected Officials in Mobile (City, County, etc.) -- Say this every morning when you wake up – 'Bla-GOY-ye-vich,' 'Bla-GOY-ye-vich,' 'Bla-GOY-ye-vich.'
Think about politicians who isolate themselves from other elected officials and do not see the obligation to work together for the common good. Learn from politicians who were driven by ego or greed and lost sight of the (potentially) noble approach to public service. Be accountable and responsive to your electorate –- remember this is LOCAL government, for God’s sake."
-- LGN,
local businessman
"We should all be resolved to facing our challenges facing our economic situation in Alabama. And we shall."
-- Jim Folsom Jr.,
lieutenant governor
"(For reporters) Resolve that when writing ask yourself, 'Would I want this written about me like this?'"
-- Lisa Carroll Lambert,
City Clerk, City of Mobile
"I would have all our politicians make decisions based on a long term vision -- plans that would go BEYOND their next election. If they thought about our children and grandchildren, they wouldn't make bad choices and would include protecting what is so beautiful about our home -- our natural resources -- in every vote."
-- Casi Callaway,
executive director, Mobile Baykeeper
"I wish Gov. Riley would support the BAN on the use of Gill Nets in the coastal waters of Alabama. And fund the Buy Out of the net ban."
-- Grey Cane III,
Coastal Conservation Association
Old habits die hard for some, including City Council President Reggie Copeland who stuck with the tried and true with his New Year's Resolution for 2009.
Copeland intends to lose the 30 pounds that he's gained on the political/civic banquet/reception circuit during the past few months.
"I've got to lose 30 pounds or the doctor's going to order a tummy tuck," said Copeland. "I've been to too many parties. I've got to lose 30 pounds and I'm going to do it."
So how much weight is the 6'4", 79-year-old Copeland carrying these days?
"I'm going to lose 30 pounds," he replied.
