As we enter a new year, our hearts are filled with hope, and our minds are adorned with aspirations for a brighter and more promising future. Our wish list for 2024 reflects the collective dreams of a community eager for positive change, unity and progress.

1. One of the foremost wishes on our list is the realization of affordable housing for all. In the coming year, let us strive to create communities where every individual can find a place to call home, without the burden of exorbitant costs. By addressing housing affordability, we not only secure the well-being of families but also cultivate the roots of a thriving society.

2. In the pursuit of progress, let us not forget the importance of responsible growth. As we usher in the new year, may our communities prioritize sustainable development that preserves our environment, promotes social equity and considers the needs of future generations. Responsible growth is not just a wish but a commitment to creating a harmonious balance between human advancement and environmental preservation.

3. A wish for affordable energy resonates with the understanding that access to power is pivotal for human progress. The price of gasoline has finally showed signs of decline in recent weeks, while many of us continue to battle with our local utility company over the rising cost of home heating fuel. In 2024, let us embark on a journey towards affordable, clean energy solutions that empower individuals and communities, while simultaneously contributing to the global effort to combat climate change.

4. Our hearts yearn for a year free from the ravages of fires, floods and extreme weather events. There were several noteworthy flooding events this past year. In the face of a changing climate, may 2024 be a year where we can address the root causes of these disasters and work collaboratively towards building resilience and adaptation strategies.

5. November is a long way off, but the presidential primary season is already at hand and the drama that engulfed the 2020 race for the White House never left us. As political seasons unfold, may the wish for a Presidential campaign marked by serious discussion and a reduction of rancor and name-calling come to fruition. Let’s focus on the pressing issues that demand our attention and foster a culture of respectful debate.

6. Our hearts ache for regions marred by conflict, and our fervent wish is for peace, especially in the world’s most troubled spots: Ukraine and Gaza and Sudan, torn by civil war. In the new year, may we find resolutions that bring lasting peace to those affected by longstanding conflicts.

As we embark on the journey that is 2024, let these wishes be the guiding lights that illuminate our path. Together, as a global community, let us work towards a future where prosperity, sustainability and peace prevail. May this new year be a canvas on which we paint a portrait of hope, resilience and positive change for generations to come.

May the journey ahead be one of good health, tranquility and prosperity.