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Jimmy Cochran Editor

Your 2009 resolutions 

  I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. Not that I don’t see areas of improvement in my life, but I have just learned after 50+ years that I am more than likely break them before lunch on New Year’s Day, so why bother…kinda like the old “teaching a pig to dance” adage. However, I am quite adept at making suggestions and resolutions for other people since they cannot see their areas that need improvement as well as I can. So, without further ado, Henry County, I give you your list of resolutions for 2009,

• Hold your elected officials and municipal employees accountable. They are paid with your taxes and should keep that in their minds, first and foremost. They should listen to what you have to say and what you want for the betterment of your county. If they are not performing to the standards of the office to which they are elected, then vote them out. Stand up for yourselves, residents, and don’t settle for the status quo and the promises of ‘great and wonderful things to come.’ In these days of budget shortfalls, those great and wonderful things just ain’t gonna happen. However, do not sit back on your thumbs and not attend commissioner meetings, city council meetings, etc. My resolution for you this coming year is to get more involved. Don’t be a sheep and just follow the crowd (or an individual) down some unknown path.

• Elected officials and municipal employees – thank you for the job you do because it is not an easy one. You deal with whining and complaining people on a daily basis, yet you often handle it with a smile and a gracious manner. The people you represent are often afraid of the condition of the cities or the county and need some reassurance that you are handling things well. So, my resolution for you this year is to remember who put you where you are. Represent fairly, honestly, and with integrity. If you do, Henry County can (and will continue to) grow to be a place you can be proud to represent.

• My third resolution for the county is simply to be nice to each other. Use turn signals, stay off the cell phones when driving, let the elderly ahead of you in the grocery line if they look tired and weary, don’t screech at the fast-food person because they left the mustard off your burger (they have a tough job and when you consider the starving children around the world, what does a dollop of mustard really matter?), don’t lay on your blooming car horn every five seconds when it is obvious there is a traffic problem somewhere. Also, it’s always good to send gripes to ‘Hey Henry’ as your first resort, but you really need to follow up with those neighbors whose dogs come into your yard, the DOT about the traffic lights, just take a campaign sign down and throw it away yourself…in other words, be a part of the solution and not the problem. Relax, calm down, take a deep breath and remember that this is a great county and we are all fortunate to be a part. We’re in it together.

•  Again, as I’ve said before, support your local businesses. These are tough economic times for everyone, but especially for our local county merchants. Give them your business every chance you can and we’ll make it through these days.

•  Be nice to those less fortunate than yourself. Volunteer your time or donate items to the many organizations in Henry County that are in the “people-loving” business.  Connecting Henry, A Friend’s House, Haven House, Hands of Hope, and Helping In His Name Food Pantry are just the beginning. Volunteer at Henry Medical Center or be involved in Rotary or Kiwanis and other service organizations. And be nice to the children.

•  Lastly, but not any less important, continue supporting the Henry County Times by your emails, telephone calls and stopping us on the street to give us your thoughts. This (in my opinion) is the best newspaper available and we thrive on your support and encouragement (plus your subscriptions and advertisements!).

  Sadly for me, this will be my last issue of the Times serving as Editor. Due to personal reasons, I will have left this position by the time you read this, but I will still be writing on occasion. From the bottom of my heart, I thank each resident of this county for your support of me and willingness to be upfront and honest when you have a concern. I hope I have done you right. It has been my pleasure to be a part of the community in this arena.