New year, new reasons for optimism

A new year is an appropriate time for fresh beginnings and positive resolutions, and for Carson City area residents and leaders there is no shortage of reasons to be optimistic for 2004.

A series of articles in the Nevada Appeal this week is outlining a wide variety of expectations - and just as many challenges - for the coming year across a wide spectrum of the community.

For state leaders, the great challenge remains building a prosperous, healthy and well-educated Nevada. There is a great deal of work to do, but the good news is that the tax-and-budget battles of the 2003 Legislature are behind them, and a foundation is in place for state government to serve residents effectively and efficiently.

A successful economy will be the key factor in determining how wisely the Legislature chose last year, and how big its problems will be when it convenes in 2005.

For the safety of residents, the Carson City Sheriff's Department is on the right track with a number of community-oriented programs targeting an underlying cause of much of the city's crime - substance abuse. We also applaud the department's focus on young people, the best place to start in preventing crime.

On the education front, Carson City will see a visible change with the construction of a building at Bordewich-Bray Elementary School. Perhaps the biggest challenge, however, will be for whoever is chosen to replace Glen Adair as principal of Carson High School. Those are big shoes to fill.

The senior population of Carson City also is getting a new building - a 14,000-square-foot addition to the Senior Center. Just as important will be the health care they are able to obtain in Carson City.

Longer range will be the effect on local health issues from construction of a new medical center, under way in North Carson City, and on local economic issues from construction of a freeway. Neither will be done this year, but both will have a dramatic impact in the future.

City officials also are well along in their attempts to rejuvenate downtown and the highway corridors leading into Carson. Along with making our streets safe and attractive for pedestrians and bicyclists, there are ample opportunities for shaping a capital city to make residents and all Nevadans proud.

We're looking forward to 2004. Here's hoping it's a great year for all of you.