Mayor Newhard: 2020: “The impossible will take a little while.”

     A new year resolution always seems like a good idea – a clean slate, a bit of hope, some promise. New Year’s is a moment many of us evaluate our lot in life. There is something a bit daunting about resolutions. It presumes that we’ve been on the wrong course and that by some miracle of will and determination and with a resolution our world will change.

     I’m an eternal optimist and the year ahead seems filled with possibilities. Possibilities are surely different than resolutions – they seem more positive, exploratory and much more fun. When you wake up each day with the thought of new possibilities there is a power of personal discovery. As I think of our beautiful and remarkable Village and the year ahead, it is the word possibilities that seems to strike a chord. For all we’ve accomplished there is so much more to do and so many possibilities. Those possibilities of course lie within the human spirit and the creativity and passion of individuals that strive to make a difference. In my mind that’s exactly what we have and it’s the perfect springboard for the unexpected and the great.

     So, let us learn from each other, let’s listen, let’s share and have fun, let’s sing, dance and create, let’s be silly, serious and strong, let’s not forget to laugh, especially at ourselves, but most of all, let’s be open to the possibilities that are before us in 2020.

     On behalf of the Village Board of Trustees, the Village Administration, Staff and Department of Public Works, I wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.

     We’ll be celebrating the New Year locally with Apple Eve and the Midnight Apple Drop on Railroad Green. Festivities have been streamlined this year so it’s all about the Apple Drop! Folks are asked to come out to the Green at 11:30 p.m. to prepare for the countdown ushering in the New Year. So, bring your noisemakers, pots, pans, musical instruments or whatever will shake, rattle and roll to say hello to 2020.

     The next Village Board meeting will be held on Mon., Jan. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Village Hall, located at 77 Main St. in Warwick.

The above column, written by Village of Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard, has been published in the Jan. 1 issue of the Warwick Valley Dispatch.