From The Editor
Happy Holidays!
I am stunned at the speed at which this year has flown by. For me, it feels like only yesterday when it was the 1970s and I was waiting in block-long lines to buy gas for about 50 cents per gallon.
Today, I paid an outlandish $1.99 per gallon - outlandish not because this seems like a lot to pay for a gallon of gasoline, but because these days it actually seems like a pretty good price.
This has been a crazy, yet historic year. Many first-time voters have never known a time when there wasn't either a Bush or a Clinton in the White House. In January, when Barack Obama takes the oath of office, it will be upon the steps built by slaves. We've come a long way as a nation, but we still have a long way to go.
During this historic election, I became disillusioned by the mudslinging. But what bothered me most was the negativity of my fellow Americans toward one another. Whatever happened to "United We Stand, Divided We Fall?"
I am saddened that the negativity from the campaign has bled into the lives of so many people, people who enthusiastically spread untruths as gospel without doing a lick of research.
It is time - past time - to set aside our differences and come together to work for the greater good. If our elected officials spent less time fighting with each other, they might actually get things done.
I am hopeful for the days ahead. I try to remain optimistic. As the philosopher William James said, "Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power."
This optimism was seen here in Alachua County when, despite tough times, citizens were generous enough to pass the "Wild Spaces - Public Places" referendum. Now the Alachua County Senior Recreation Center will become a reality.
There is reason to be optimistic.
In closing, I want to remind you to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. I know firsthand the importance of this small act. Carbon monoxide, colorless, odorless and tasteless, is an insidious killer.
One chilly evening, during the Christmas holidays, our gas furnace kicked on. As bedtime approached and we went about our business, the carbon monoxide detector sounded its shrill alarm. I hustled the kids out of the house, turned off the furnace and opened all the windows. In the furnace closet, the exhaust flue had come off. Instead of venting through the stack on the rooftop, the deadly gas was being circulated throughout our home. There is little doubt in my mind that if not for our CO detector, we would have gone to bed that night - and died in our sleep.
That year, we gave smoke and CO detectors to our family members for Christmas.
On behalf of Tower Publications, I wish you and yours a very safe and happy holiday season!