As we prepare for the new year, our thoughts are directed   to what is the best for Russell County or what can we expect for Russell County.

This next year will, without a doubt, be a very challenging one for our community. Challenging in ways that we likely have have not witnessed for many years.

We are not covered with drapes of doom and gloom, but we have to be realistic and look at the possibilities.

The car market, the housing market, the retail market, the manufacturing arena and all aspects can expect to bring certain repercussion for our community.  

Both cities and the county face the possibility of reduction in income from various forms including payroll taxes and etc. While this is certainly an unknown it is also a possibility and could very likely necessitate some adjustments.

President-elect Barack Obama has stated he is wanting to invest millions or even trillions into the economy. Perhaps an individual stimulus and by investing in government spending such as roads, government buildings and etc. Many are comparing it to the “New Deal” with President Roosevelt.

While history has left those that believed FDR’s policies helped American out of the depression, many economists believe otherwise. Some believe  that massive government rescue efforts actually prolonged the effects of the depression — which was not the result of excessive capitalism, but rather excessive government intervention into the free market — and made life more expensive at a time when prices should have been adjusting themselves to fit the needs of the downtrodden consumer.

A good rule of thumb is this: Government is not your friend. Government is not here to rescue you — you’re here to rescue yourself. A stimulus check giving you back your own money is a good start, but stop and consider how and how much you or your community would economically benefit from a government building and a new road.

In either event and no matter how and what you personally believe, the next few months will certainly demand this community working together.

While the past months have shown some political maneuvering from some areas of our county government, the future will just not allow that.

The next few months will demand that political power be put to rest and all decisions must he based on what is best for this community.

We all must demand total cooperation from all our leaders for the betterment of this community.