It’s time for those New Year’s resolutions. Today, we’ll vow to lose weight, stop smoking or be more grateful for what we have. For most, these resolutions will be forgotten by the middle of the month.

But some resolutions are kept, and that makes them worth the effort of deciding just what we need to do to make our lives better. In the spirit of the holiday, we offer a list of what we, as the group of people that make up Chilton County, can do make our lives and the lives of our neighbors more fulfilling:

Spend more money in the county. We realize much larger selections can be found with just a short drive to Alabaster or Prattville, but there are many items we use on a daily basis that can be bought in Chilton County, and we should all make an effort to do so. Keeping tax dollars at home is an investment in our county’s future.

Take on a more active role in our governance. Plenty of residents show up at commission meetings to complain about the condition of roads, and we understand the frustration. But we could all display a willingness to be a part of the solution instead of simply demanding a solution. Government runs best when those it’s responsible for have a voice in all decisions.

Conserve energy and fuel. Sure, gas prices are way down, but don’t count on it staying that way. If we can develop and practice sound conservation techniques now, we’ll be much better off when prices go back up. And we might just have an extra dollar or two to spend at that local store.

Get to know each other. Out of all the homes you can see from the front of your home, how many house people you are friendly with? If the answer is all or most, that’s great. Strong community ties give people within that community a sense of purpose that has slowly eroded in our society. So, introduce yourself to that new neighbor and get to know him or her. That kind of attitude could help us all have a happier New Year.