Making his list and checking it twice is Quillayute Valley School District Superintendent Frank Walter.
But it’s not a list for who to buy Christmas gifts for in 2006.
Every year Walter jots down his New Year’s resolutions in the front of his daily planner.
He said it reminds him of what he’s committed himself to accomplishing.
Last year, Walter met his personal resolutions of buying a home computer and digital camera to enhance his off-time hobbies, such as hiking and listening to music.
Walter is still in the process of writing his list of resolutions for 2006, but said a professional one that will carry over from 2005 is making more time for weekly visits to classrooms and schools in the district.
Walter may be one of the more dedicated resolution-makers on the North Olympic Peninsula as 2006 makes its bow.
But the Peninsula Daily News contacted people in Clallam and Jefferson counties, asking them for their personal and/or professional goals for 2006.
Not many of them listed the two favorite resolutions made by Americans — to lose weight and pay off debt.
Below is a sampling of some of the responses we received:
* “To continue to build strong relationships between our two communities [Clallam Bay and Neah Bay].
“To improve communication to bring a better understanding for the need to support a replacement operation levy.
“To continue our high expectations that we have set for all out students academic performance.”
— Cape Flattery School District Superintendent Gene Laes
* “My New Year’s resolution for the school district is to increase the parent involvement in a student’s educational success.”
— Crescent School District Superintendent Doug Kubalek
* “To continue to support all of our wonderful staff in doing the great work they do every day in our schools, and to work even harder to keep the balance in our lives that is so important to our good health and happiness.”
— Port Angeles School District Superintendent Gary Cohn
* “My New Year’s resolution for my public life is to serve the people, to do a good job and even a better job of serving the people.
“Because that’s what it’s all about.”
— Sequim Mayor Walt Schubert
* “My New Year’s resolution as mayor would be to continue to serve my community.
“I think our community needs healing. My goal for the new year would be to facilitate community healing and to work together to make this the wonderful community that it is.
“This is a great community, and I think the healing process is something that we need to focus on in 2006.”
— Forks Mayor Nedra Reed
* “I’ve been putting it off for years and I’ve just got to [re-learn how to type]. Hunt and peck is just too slow. I resisted it until the secretaries all disappeared.
“I had even resisted owning a computer. Several years ago I had to get into it but it’s been a real struggle. I knew how to type very well at one time but I’ve lost it over the years.
— Incoming Port Angeles Business Association President Orville Campbell
* “I gave up New Year’s resolutions. At my age it’s a lost cause. I guess one would be try to live a cleaner, better life.”
— Clallam County Public Utility District Commissioner Will Purser
* “I don’t do New Year’s resolutions too much. But what I hope is that we can bring some economic activity to the West End, that’s what I’ll be focusing on in next year.”
— Port of Port Angeles Commissioner John Calhoun
* “I really haven’t made any yet but probably should have one of two. I’m just waiting for the new year to start.”
— Port Angeles City Councilman Gary Braun
* “To be more patient. It won’t happen because I just can’t wait.”
— Clallam Public Defenders Executive Director Harry Gasnick
* “I make one every year to lose weight. Year after year after year.”
— Clallam County Superior Court Judge Ken Williams
* “Continue to go to the gym once every two days.”
— Jefferson County Commissioner David Sullivan, D-Cape George
* “Spend more time with my family.”
— Jefferson County Commissioner Pat Rodgers, R-Brinnon
* “Walk to work as much as possible.”
— Jefferson County Commissioner Phil Johnson, D-Port Townsend
* “Lose 20 pounds and stay healthy.”
— Blue Heron Middle School Principal Mark Decker
* “Continue to enjoy what I’m doing with work and life in general.”
— Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Brasfield
* “I resolve to work cooperatively with my fellow councilors, to the best of my ability.”
— Port Townsend City Councilwoman Laurie Medlicott
* “I’m going to create 100 family-wage jobs. That’s ambitious, but that’s what we’re all about at the Port.”
— Herb Beck, Port of Port Townsend commissioner
* “Every year I resolve not to make any foolish resolutions . . . but I would support Commissioner Beck on his resolution.”
— Bob Sokol, Port of Port Townsend commissioner
* “To work with any group that sincerely wants to work together with the PUD or any other agency for the betterment for all of Jefferson County, without the worry about the sky is falling.”
— Wayne King, Jefferson County Public Utility District commissioner
* “My New Year’s resolution is to put all my efforts behind the public fiber network project.”
— Dave Brader, departing Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce president
“Improving the quality of life for our seniors and children in health and school.”
— Ben Johnson Jr., Makah tribal chairman
