As I write this editorial, we are a mere hours from the end of another year, which seems to have gone by a little quicker than the ones before it.
The interesting part of having a paper set up as a year in review is that I, along with the readers, get the chance to look back and see what happened in the area from a different perspective.
2012 was a year in Golden that saw people start off with a great celebration, then lead into a summer of battles, and ended with many questions heading into 2013.
Of course, like any type of history, everyone has the chance to look back on the year and see what we can learn from it. The biggest story of 2012 came up out of the blue and involved a debate over what to do between two bridges. To be honest, it seemed at times that the town was ready to implode. The nice side of living in a small town went right out the window as people started to take the difference of opinion and turn it into personal wars. The debate was furious and jumped into an even higher gear when an election had to be called. As much as Golden had many issues which needed to be discussed during the election, this one topic stood out and altered the face of politics locally. All of us will have to wait and see if it was for the better or not?
The game of chicken over road rescue on the highways finally ended after months of debates, discussions and general political red tape had been worked through. There never seemed to be a doubt on how this issue would finally be resolved, but yet gain, the song and dance that all groups involved went through should be a reminder to us what happens when logic and working together is not permitted in a political room.
Of course there were also many other stories which were good for the area.
Businesses were opened and reopened, in one case, after a fire destroyed a building.
As seen in the early pages of this paper, many groups in Golden have stepped up to help others in the area and beyond. Even a story of hope about a little bear can bring people together for a cause.
But now 2013 is upon us and here is hoping that 13 will be a lucky number.
One thing we know for sure is that there will be another election this year. Only this time it will be a showdown for the power of the province. This spring as the snow starts to melt away, the people will once again have to make the decision on who will lead B.C. into the future.
As for Golden it will be interesting to see where the stories will lead.
What projects will be completed? Will the Trans Canada upgrades continues to make it easier and safer to drive outside of town? Who will step up to fight the next battle, because there is always one more battle to fight?
Only time will tell but we all have the chance to look back and see how things could have gone. Take that information and realize it is up to all of us to do things the right way, to make the world a better place.
Happy New Year
