Some of the area’s leading business, education, civic and union leaders have declared their New Year’s resolutions.
Here is a sampling:
• Realtor Chris Artur said it was a good year for his company. On the other hand, the National Association of Realtors last week acknowledged wildly overstating home sales since 2007.
Artur, whose office is at 6201 Frankford Ave., said he expects the real estate market to turn around nationally if and when the unemployment picture improves. He said, “My wish and hope for this year coming up is that buyers and sellers out there keep things moving to help the area and houses become modernized and reinvigorated.”
• Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce president Al Taubenberger said, “My New Year’s resolution is to complete my wife Joanne’s honey-do list, which she gave me in 2010 and 2011.”
• Mike McArdle, president of Archbishop Ryan High School, said he usually resolves to exercise early in the morning and lose 20 pounds, but fails to consistently stick to that regimen. At the same time, he said, his annual wishes for Ryan do come true.
“Every year, I hope that we get a little better academically, that the kids become better Catholic Christians and we have the best extracurricular programs we can have,” he said.
• Sister Shaun Thomas Callahan, IHM, principal of St. Dominic School in Holmesburg, hopes the new year brings more respect for others in society.
“I hope that all people continue to respect each other and accept each other without prejudice and bias because we’re all equal in God’s eyes,” she said.
• Bill Dolbow, Democratic leader of the 35th Ward and president of the Lawncrest Community Association, said he believes the local Town Watch is in good hands and hopes that the existing boxing program and planned youth sports teams are successful at Lawncrest Recreation Center.
Also, Dolbow is waiting for the Jan. 6 announcement by an Archdiocese of Philadelphia blue ribbon commission on the future of Catholic education.
“I hope St. William’s stays open,” he said. “It’s the anchor of the neighborhood.”
• Joe Krause, a Ramona Avenue resident and the new president of the Northwood Civic Association, will reach out to neighbors to improve the community. He’s lived in Northwood for a little more than three years and is married with a 2-year-old daughter, Josetta.
“I want her to have a nice neighborhood to grow up in,” he said.
• Karen Lash, president of the Friends of Holmesburg Library, is issuing a call to action as her resolution for 2012.
She said, “A library fosters lifelong learning. Invest in this community treasure that provides free resources, books, CDs/DVDs, community programming for kids and adults, and computers/Internet access. Advocate for adequate and sustained funding from city and state leaders. Grow volunteer community involvement in support of our neighborhood public libraries. Visit your local free library branch and become a ‘difference-making’ friend.”
• Bill Gault, president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 22, will try to finally win a contract for his members.
The city did not like the original contract determined by arbitration and won a court victory, putting the battle back in the hands of a three-person arbitrational panel. The union is fighting back against a city demand that it be allowed to furlough firefighters.
“My resolution is simple,” Gault said. “Get our contract, take care of the members and protect the citizens, even though we don’t feel we’re being treated fairly by this administration.”
• John McNesby, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, is happy that his union has a five-year contract. He spent last Friday helping to deliver Christmas meals to the families of police officers lost in the line of duty in recent years. His resolution is that 2012 be “a safe year for all police officers.”
• State Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-170th dist.) has two resolutions: Eat less fast food and finally tackle some home improvement projects he’s been pushing off.
• Freshman state Rep. Kevin Boyle (D-172nd dist.), Brendan’s younger brother, is hoping to bring negligent property owners into blight court in 2012 and will try to push legislation through the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
“I’m going to try to get more bills to pass the legislature than my brother Brendan,” he said. ••
