The making of resolutions is a good way of taking a look at our lives and doing a bit of housecleaning.
We try to improve on the things we like about ourselves, change the things we don’t like and take the opportunity to take on new adventures.
Panning back from our personal list, we like to also take a look at our county. What is it that we like? What do we want to change? What new adventures are in store?
Knowing what we like is the easy list.
• We love our communities and the people who make those communities vibrant.
• We love the land we live on and living in the South. Barnwell County is a beautiful place with temperate weather, many wide open fields and towns that have their uniqueness. It’s a great place to live.
Knowing what we want to change is the harder of the lists but we will give it a try.
• We want governments who conduct their business - all if possible - in open session. Governments aren’t just a nebulous organization - they are a collection of citizens either elected or hired to do the public’s business.
• We want a viable hospital, preferably located in Barnwell County. All year long we have watched the political rangling regarding Barnwell County Hospital and the planned regional healthcare system. It has resulted in a lot of uncertainty regarding political and financial decisions. In 2012, we want this issue resolved - finished - and a healthcare future determined that is best for the citizens of Barnwell County.
• We want everyone to go to the polls in this election year and make their choices for leadership.
• We want to see all those new industries announced in 2011 open their doors in 2012. We want to see our folks going back to work and our economy reviving. The groundwork has been laid. We can’t wait to see the results.
• We want to see a lower - hopefully nonexistent - fatality rate on Barnwell County’s roadways. Barnwell County experienced a tragic year in 2011. We ask folks to take care on our roadways. Don’t drive while impaired - that includes drinking, texting or anything that takes your attention away from the primary duty of getting from one place to another safely.
• We want to see our courthouse completed and usable again.
Make your lists, share them with us. Make this a great New Year for Barnwell County.