New Year’s resolutions?
None here.
I’m not much for them.
Not anymore than I am for bucket lists.
However, I’m always hopeful for better days for our city, county and community.
First and foremost, I’m hoping for those I happen to know who are struggling with health issues. Those I don’t know, too. Life is precious — every second and minute and hour of every day. And I’m hoping, too, for every grieving heart of someone who lost a loved one in 2022.
I’m hoping for an indivisible community, unlike in recent years, where all of us take the time to listen to one another with open minds. Where with a receptive ear, we can learn from each other, and that everything can’t just be from our own point of view or the gospel of just what we believe.
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I’m hopeful for less violent crimes in this city. No dispute or disagreement ever has nor ever will be resolved at the point of a gun or with a violent act. There were 44 homicides in 2022, and that is 44 homicides too many. I am hopeful that City Manager Doug Hewett will reiterate the words of former Manager Ted Voorhees, who once said that if you commit a violent crime in this city, it will not be tolerated.
I am hopeful this City Council represents all of this municipality, and not just a selected side of town for a district vote come election season. And I hope that personal agendas will be put aside. That all, and not some, council members will realize that he or she has a responsibility to respond to media inquiries, and the same can be said for members of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and the Spring Lake Board of Aldermen, too.
Hopeful that more business minds will seek seats on the City Council, and that more young people will become engaged in city and county government.
Hopeful the City Council will be prudent in its selection of a candidate with utilities experience to replace outgoing Fayetteville Public Works Commission board member Wade Fowler.
Hoping Cumberland County commissioners work with construction engineers and design architects so that parking does not become an issue for the new $85 million multipurpose center planned for the Cumberland County Courthouse front parking lot along Russell Street, Gillespie Street and Otis Jones Way.
Hopeful the Spring Lake Board of Aldermen find a town manager and finance director with impeccable honesty and skills to benefit every town resident.
Hopeful that the city does its due diligence and vets potential members of city boards and tells us why the potential board members are qualified rather than just appointing someone who wants to be on a board for the sake of being on a board.
Hopeful that the city, like it says, will build an elevator in the Hay Street parking garage in the ensuing 12 months.
Hoping someone or some group will pick up the late Moses Mathis’ holiday Bicycle Give-a-Way because every less fortunate kid should have a bike for Christmas along life’s way.
Hopeful that the new Center for Medical Education & Neuroscience Institute at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center brings more physicians and nurses and skilled health specialists to provide the best of health care to those in this and surrounding communities.
Praying that the silver bell rings often at the Cancer Center of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center because the sound of the bell is a reason for hope.
And other things, too
Hopeful that this city decorates the Market House next Christmas with holiday wreaths and red ribbons, and we get past political correctness for the sake of all.
Hopeful that “O, Holy Night” never is left out of a Christmas Eve candlelight service ever again.
Hopeful that everyone of us takes in a play at Cape Fear Regional Theatre because “great stories” are told there.
Hopeful that more of us take time for a springtime walk through Cape Fear Botanical Garden, when the azaleas, tulips and sunflowers are in bloom.
Hopeful that homeless animals at Fayetteville Animal Protection Society and Cumberland County Animal Shelter can be adopted into a loving home because an animal can bring you love and joy.
Hopeful that more of us talk to one another rather than to our cellphones.
Hoping that motorists slow down on our highways and show more respect for fellow motorists.
Prayerful that no alcohol-drinking motorist ever gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and drives on a roadway.
Hopeful that for our every success in life, we remember that we stood on someone’s shoulders who took the time for us to become what we have become.
Hoping every father takes his kid to Segra Stadium for a doubleheader, peanuts and Cracker Jacks because a kid will remember the baseball game with his dad for the rest of his life.
Hopeful that educators understand that cursive writing matters.
Hopeful that we witness fewer people with a handicap parking permit because it is frustrating to see them sprint into the Walgreens far better than Olympics track-and-field star Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
Praying that every homeless man, woman and child has shelter and a warm bed and food on nights when temperatures dip below 32 degrees.
Prayerful and hopeful that more of us will consider a Sunday morning in church as important as a Saturday afternoon cookout or a Saturday night cocktail party with friends because some of us believe life is a gift from God, and God deserves at least one hour of our time to remind us of his love and grace.
And most hopeful that every pastor includes “A Little Parable for Mothers” by the late Temple Bailey as a part of every Mother’s Day, because the parable of a mother’s and her children’s life journey together says all we need to know about a mother’s love and sacrifice for a son or daughter.
Epilogue
So, there you have it.
No New Year’s resolutions here.
But hopeful and prayerful for the best of 2023 for all.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
