Clallam County civic and community leaders made both personal and professional pledges in their New Year’s resolutions, vowing everything from spending more time with family to listening better to reading more books.
For some, the new year presents a chance to focus on the big picture.
Forks Mayor Bryon Monohon said he will remember that “each day deserves a chance, since yesterday is gone and tomorrow isn’t here yet.”
His resolutions, he said in an email, are: “To remember that opportunities often appear in difficult times and that change usually isn’t easy or comfortable.
“To slow down and spend more time with my family.
“To remember that every moment is a teaching or learning opportunity (especially for me!) and to listen, listen, listen.”
Port Angeles City Manager Kent Myers and Sequim High School football coach Erik Wiker both included getting in shape as part of their resolutions.
Myers said he hopes to lose 10 to 15 pounds through Clallam County YMCA’s Crossfit program.
Being a compassionate friend and loving family member topped Makah tribe general manager Meredith Parker’s list.
Parker also said she wants to do what she can to contribute to “the greater good of society through meaningful participation; focusing on goals that result in attaining optimum personal health, professional growth and nurturing of the spirit; living purposefully; and finding happiness each day.”
Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Chairman Ron Allen said he usually isn’t one for resolutions but plans to “find more time in my busy schedule to be with my first grandchild.”
State Rep. Kevin Van De Wege said he sees this time of year as a way to remember “how blessed I am to have a beautiful and wonderful family.”
“That’s why my resolution is to make sure I find as much quality time to spend with them as possible while fulfilling my duties in the Legislature and as a firefighter,” said the Sequim Democrat, who represents the 24th District — which covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and parts of Grays Harbor County — and also is a Clallam County Fire District No. 3 lieutenant.
Fellow District 24 Rep. Steve Tharinger — who did not run for re-election to the Clallam County commissioner’s seat he held last year — said he believes the holidays are a time to share with family and those less fortunate and plans to keep that in mind in the next legislative session.
“This feeling of community should continue into the new year,” he said. I resolve to carry it forward as I work in Olympia to find a truly balanced approach to our state’s fiscal challenges.”
Tharinger’s replacement on the county commission, Jim McEntire, a Sequim Republican who had served on the Port of Port Angeles commission, said his resolution was to balance his duties as an elected official with time with family and friends.
McEntire also said he will try to “learn as much as I can as fast as I can of the details of county government; and, while holding fast to principle, listen and learn from every citizen.”
Matthew Randazzo — author, development director at the North Olympic Land Trust, Clallam County Democratic Party chairman and volunteer spokesman for the Northwest Raptor Center — said he will make sure that his wife, Melissa, “knows how loved and appreciated she is every single day of 2012.”
“We are starting our seventh year together busier than ever,” he said, “but I am committed to finding plenty of time for us to spend together — especially outdoors. She deserves it.”
North Olympic Library System Director Paula Barnes said she has made two resolutions for the public libraries in Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks and Clallam Bay.
“In 2012, the libraries will do more to help people who are trying to cope with the poor economy,” Barnes said.
She referred to a planned January workshop in Port Angeles on computer skills for job seekers and to an upcoming introduction to WorkSource programs in Sequim but added, “We want to do even more, at every NOLS library, throughout 2012.”
Her second resolution is to expand electronic services at the libraries.
“Our resolution is for the library to be a welcoming, fun, nonthreatening place to learn how to use an e-reader, either the one you got for Christmas or one that you can borrow from the library,” she said.
Barnes; last resolution is personal: To read more books.
“Can you believe it — a librarian says she needs to do more reading?” Barnes said in an email.
“But lately my favorite hobby has been taking too much of a back seat to household chores, running errands, watching movies, walking dogs, etc.
“Next year, at least one book a week.”
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
