The New Year is here and it is hard for many of us to take a look at last year and figure out just what happened.

This community, like so many communities throughout the United States has felt the real sting of the economic downturn..

Some of us have lost our jobs, some of us have lost our homes, but all of us have felt the downturn in one way or another.

While the housing industry here has certainly been a major factor, we have not been hit with the hundreds of spec houses sitting empty or hundreds of foreclosed homes sitting in decay like many of the larger areas in some states.

The housing market appears to be making a rebound in this area as recent weeks have shown an increase in home sales and interested buyers. While the financial market remain difficult, Russell County is fortunate to have financial institutions with local interests, concern and community dedication.

While like other communities, we have had a reduction in employment numbers, we must be optimistic the economy is beginning to make a swing to a more positive position.

We can very likely see several financial concerns this next year from the operation of our two cities and county.

Our county government will be severely tested this coming year as we feel certain all budgets will be tested and tested again. There will be a change in the county budget as the new courthouse is opened and the existing courthouse will have to undergo changes.

The financial operation of the new jail is presently an unknown  and will certainly have an impact on the total picture. Road funds are always a concern and this hard winter will not make it any easier.

The two cities will also be operating on strict budgets and again the economy can swing in either direction with major impact.

Our school system will have a rocky financial path this next year as will many, many other across the state.

But, it’s not gloom and doom, these are things that are already with us and we are dealing with. Let’s look to the new year with optimism. We believe the swing in in an upward motion and we believe this next year will bring us many improvements.

We encourage all our newly elected officials and all our re-elected officials to remember that politics is no longer, “politics as usual.” Times have changed and political reasoning must change.

Happy New Year to everyone and may you and your family have the very best in 2011.