It is hard to believe that 2011 has come and gone. As I reflect on the past year and review the resolutions that I made in last year’s article, I realize that we, as a community, again met those goals. 

In looking ahead to 2012, we face new and even more difficult challenges. Our economy is spiraling downward as we start off the new year with hundreds of layoffs and a gloomy outlook for an economic recovery. I am usually optimistic and set very real and attainable goals for the new year.  However, our accomplishments in 2011 were mere baby steps toward where we need to go in 2012. 

Last year I made the following resolutions to the community:

1. Clean up the sludge in Reynolds Channel: I am proud of my fellow Sludge Stoppers (a group of concerned citizens, civics and environmental groups), for their perseverance in pressuring the county to install new equipment at the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant, effectively stopping the leakage into Reynolds Channel.

However, partisan politics is standing in the way of Legis. Denenberg’s Right to Know Spill Bill from getting passed. This legislation would require public notification of future sewage spills so that our families know that they may be swimming, fishing and recreating in sewage.

2. Improve parking at the Merrick train station: In November 2011, after refusing for years, the Town of Hempstead publicly stated that will consider parking permits for a lot at the Bellmore train station. Bellmore and Merrick are the only two train stations on the Babylon branch that do not restrict parking.

In 2012, our LIRR Parking Lot Committees expect to meet with the Town of Hempstead to discuss implementing permits to restrict parking for Town of Hempstead residents at certain lots at both the Bellmore and Merrick train stations.

3. Relocate contested cell antennas: In 2011, the Hempstead Town Attorney’s Office stated that it would attempt to negotiate the removal and/or relocation of some of the contested cell antennas.

In 2012, I resolve to pressure the Town to live up to its promises and take some of the cell antennas down.

In 2011, we survived Tropical Storm Irene and worked with Legis. Denenberg in making sure that electricity was restored to the Merricks. 

The true spirit of community resonated everywhere as  neighbors with electricity helped those without; people opened their homes to their sick or elderly neighbors; extension chords ran across streets to give electricity to those without; and those who had electricity had their refrigerators filled with their neighbors’ food.

In 2012, I resolve to continue to alert our neighbors of criminal behavior and work closely with the police to prevent crime and keep our families safe.  I also resolve to do whatever I can to help our neighbors in need.

I would like to thank the Town of Hempstead for paving half the Campgrounds in 2011. This area had been neglected for decades. We are grateful that Councilwoman Cullin addressed this seemingly forgotten section of our town and began to restore this unique, historic neighborhood. 

I resolve to make sure that the Town of Hempstead finishes the project and paves the other half of the Campgrounds and its outlying area.

Although pursuing a public takeover of Aqua was not mentioned in last year’s resolutions, it is an issue that continues to frustrate me. The fact that it’s been almost two years since the Towns of Hempstead and Oyster Bay reconstituted the Water Authority of Southeastern Nassau County troubles Aqua customers. The people of our community are becoming increasingly impatient at the painfully slow pace in which WASENC operates. 

For 2012, I resolve to do whatever I can to pressure WASENC to initiate a public takeover of Aqua Water.

And on a more personal note. When delivering food and toys to needy families this year for the Merrick Kiwanis, I listened closely to my heart.  There is a feeling that you get when you help someone in need.  It’s a feeling, deep within your soul – a feeling that makes us human.  At that moment, I made a promise to myself. 

My resolution for myself for 2012 and always is to do one good deed everyday that gives me that same feeling deep within my soul that I’ve helped my fellow man in some way.  My New Year's resolution to you is that I will not give up and I will continue to advocate for a better tomorrow. 

Claudia Borecky is the president of the North and Central Merrick Civic Association and is an unpaid, opinion columnist for Merrick Patch. If you have something to say or would like to write an opinion column, please contact Emily.Cappiello@patch.com.