The New Year brings with it hope for the future and sparks an interest in changing our past ways.

For millions of Americans, the New Year signals a time to get out the thinking caps and make some resolutions for the year ahead.

We’d like to make a few for the local government leaders, too, to let them know what’s on our minds as issues ahead.

Government resolutions should be the same as everyday people resolutions.

4 Lose weight. That’s a common one for most of us, but it should be true for government, too. Can we shed a few pounds of expense and still fulfill vital services? Answering that question should be the No. 1 job of our elected officials.

4 Quit smoking. Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you, so why don’t we enact area-wide bans on smoking in bars and restaurants? Let’s follow the good lead set by Natchez Regional Medical Center, which recently banned smoking entirely from their premises. It’s the right thing to do.

4 Get fit and exercise. Recreation needs to become a priority for our area, not just an election year talking point. Sentimentalities aside, our area’s recreational facilities largely are outdated and inadequate. We must stop buying paint to cover up the decay and take action on replacing the facilities our grandfathers originally bought.

Think of how much better our community’s quality of life would be with just those three resolutions met during 2008.

The year ahead can truly be a year of change and improvement; it only requires a little imagination and some determination to make a difference.