Will we see more of the same or something new?

Well folks, it’s January of 2014, the start of a new year. Or is it? We all know at least at some level that the calendar dates are really just an arbitrary way of keeping track of time and that conditions that were with us all through 2013 are pretty much still going to be the same in 2014 as well. And yet there is a kind of hopeful mindset that we’re all starting with a clean slate at the beginning of a new year, and maybe that’s not such a bad way to look at it after all.

We do know some things will remain the same—there are various road construction and drainage system projects, especially along Old Cutler Road and some parts of South Dixie Highway, running through both Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay that are still works in progress, but they are making headway and should be wrapping up soon. And most cities are still trying to get more businesses to start up there to help strengthen the tax base and revitalize the area.

And there’s still bound to be some friction between the various factions that have differences of opinion in the two “Bay” cities as well as in other towns in South Dade (remember South Miami and Doral?). That’s normal, even though it does get tiresome.

But if we all look at the new year as an opportunity to start fresh and set aside some of the clashes of the past and work together in an earnest attempt to truly make things better for the community as a whole, then maybe…maybe…even more progress can be made. This will take the involvement of residents as well as elected officials, and not just residents with an ax to grind, but everyone. You see that kind of camaraderie at the big social events that bring everyone together. It would be nice to see it the rest of the time, too.

The economy is improving, slowly but surely, and real estate values are reportedly getting back up to near what they used to be. There are lots of interesting projects in the works that should help our local communities, so there is reason for optimism.

Working together, shopping local, remembering that we’re all neighbors who can help each other, is never a bad thing. Let’s see what can be done. And send us your thoughts on positive ways to work together.
So…with that in mind…Happy New Year!

Thought for the Day:

Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘it will be happier.’

—Alfred Lord Tennyson

Gary Alan Ruse contributed to this column.

Got any tips? Contact me at 305-669- 7355, ext. 249, or send emails to Michael@communitynewspapers.com.


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