If wishes were horses...

Area residents share dreams and hopes, plans and desires for 2010 The new year came in with a blast of frigid air that many hoped would blow away the difficulties of 2009. In the spirit of looking ahead, The Advertiser-News asked area residents about their aspirations both personal and professional for 2010. Not surprisingly, some also offered hopes and dreams for the world beyond their doorstep. Sean Talt, a detective in the Vernon Township Police Department, said he’d like to see continued improvement in the U.S. economy and additional jobs growth. Matty Reinhardt, a Highland Lakes resident, is hoping to see U.S. healthcare reform materialize. On a local level, Tom McClachrie is well known in Vernon as a spokesman for the Vernon Taxpayers Association. “I look forward to the New Year with optimism for a new town council that may ask questions,” McClachrie said, in an e-mail response to a query about his desires for 2010. “Yes, ask for explanations from the town professionals and question the hired experts. We need a council that will question the status quo, and do the greatest good for the greatest amount of people. Value for the property tax dollar should be their mantra and yes, perhaps, frugality with that dollar.” Newly elected Vernon deputy mayor Harry Shortway offers this wish for the new year: “To help build a municipal government that people trust and believe in.” On a personal level, he adds: “My children reside in Vernon, Colorado, Tennessee and North Carolina, I hope that once again we can all be together. I am thankful that my oldest son will not be redeployed until 2011. He will now be home to see the birth of his firstborn, which will be our first grandchild. I pray that God’s grace falls upon our troops and comforts their loved ones. Will America forget their sacrifice?” Edith Lynch is the Welcome Center Supervisor at the Sussex County YMCA in Hardyston Township. She wishes “good health” for all people. To the wish for good health, Clara Nuss, a member of the Wantage township Committee, adds a wish that all who serve, whether overseas or at home, be protected. “A safe year for all our armed forces and all volunteers who risk their lives to serve, including our fire departments and first aid squads.” She hopes, too, for a “better economy: locally, nationally, worldly, to get the people working again.” In addition, she calls on everyone to look to the past but keep an eye on the future. “Remember those who are not here with us to celebrate the New Year. Smile and appreciate the little things in life and like they say: Don’t sweat the small stuff!” Eric Wefer, a 20-year-old from Vernon Township, said he hopes to graduate from Montclair State University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics within the next two years. Meanwhile, Wefer’s co-worker at Mountain Creek, Cinthia Esbericueta, a recent arrival to Vernon from Lima, Peru, said she’s hoping to see more of the world in the coming year. Michael Iacovino, a Vernon resident and a gas station attendant at GRM Automotive in McAfee, said he would like to see his mother stop smoking in the coming year.