It's that time of the year again–time to take stock, count our blessings and make New Year's resolutions. 

So, I decided to look back at last year's resolutions, which I wrote about for Patch. 

Upon reflection, I realize that we accomplished a little more than I had thought.  I would like to thank all those who climbed these mountains alongside me.  We, as a community, should be very proud.  Together we moved mountains. 

Last year, I resolved to :

"do everything possible to right the wrong that allows the Town of Hempstead to provide some of its residents with public water and not others.  I am hopeful that the community will join me in this fight to urge the towns of Hempstead and Oyster Bay to re-establish the Southeastern Water Authority of Nassau County to investigate, analyze and evaluate various options for the distribution of water to the district."

I promised to:

"prevent the inundation of wireless telecommunications equipment on utility poles in the Town of Hempstead.  To achieve this objective, I, with fellow civic leaders and concerned residents, hope to work with the Town of Hempstead to develop a policy that would require the town to permit, license, inspect, manage and notify residents of the installation of wireless telecommunications equipment."

And to:

"boost my efforts to protect and preserve the safety and well-being of Merrick families and their properties by aggressively urging the Town of Hempstead to install stop, one-way and no-thru traffic signage where my neighbors believe their safety and the safety of their children is in jeopardy."

In 2010, we saw the establishment of a water authority, wrote wireless telecommunication code and installed some stop signs at vital intersections such as Camp and Chapin Avenues.  

Other mountains that seemed insurmountable in 2009 were the ever-looming LNG Island that was proposed to be built off the shores of Long Beach and the incinerator proposed to be built in Freeport.  We not only scaled those mountains in 2010, but now look out onto horizons and feel confident that we are leaving our children with a more pristine homeland. 

The challenges we face in 2011 seem even more difficult.  Every dollar we earn is being stretched in so many different directions.  Our basic infrastructure that makes our suburban life possible is in great disrepair and the cost of basic services is ever-increasing.

So, my goals for 2011 are still great.  We must look for smart, innovative solutions to these problems.  I am forever climbing mountains and hope you join me in the climb to make our world a little better.

In 2011, I promise to do everything I can to:

• Clean up the Sludge in Reynolds Channel–The Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant must be updated with equipment to prevent sewage from being released into Reynolds Channel. A public notification policy must be implemented so that our health is not put at risk. We must seek federal and state funds to build an outflow pipe to the ocean.
• Improve parking at the Merrick train station – The Town of Hempstead must provide permits for local residents to park at the Merrick's Long Island Rail Road station.
• Relocate contested cell antennas.
• Make our neighborhood safe –Through growth of our Neighborhood Watch Program and effective notification of criminal activity, I hope to see reduction of crime in our community.

Again, I would like to thank the community for helping me in these endeavors.  My New Year's resolution to you is that I will not give up and I will continue to advocate for a better tomorrow.