Another Christmas has come and gone, and our attention shifts to the promise of a new year and a new beginning. 2008 was one for the history books in a number of ways. The most notable to average folks was the price of gas. When prices climbed north of $4 per gallon, a 20-dollar bill would barely raise the gauge above the “E.” Then unexpectedly, gas prices dropped to a point lower than we’ve seen in several years. It couldn’t have come at a better time.

It was a year that saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average start above 13,000 and then dip to a low of 7,449. Fortunes were lost and made as investors do find a way to profit from a sinking market.

This is a time to pray for friends and neighbors who may have lost their retirement savings; others lost their jobs or homes. There may be others who are frightened of losing their jobs or homes in the coming weeks and months. Other’s lost loved ones due to illness, old age, accidents, and war.

But with the New Year comes a sense of renewal. It brings a chance to create a new starting point: a new hope for a new day. But hope alone won’t make a difference. Hope alone won’t improve the economy, won’t save jobs, and won’t fix many other problems.

Washington will be Washington. Oklahoma City will be Oklahoma City, and Tulsa will be Tulsa. But here in Claremore, Oologah, Verdigris, Chelsea, Foyil, Inola, Catoosa, Owasso and the unincorporated areas between, we can look to ourselves to renovate some financial woes.

When you spend your dollars in this county, you are investing in jobs in this county and helping the local economy.

When you repair your car here, seek medical attention here, shop here, volunteer here, make charitable contributions here, you are making life better here, not only for yourself, but for others who live it here too.

Economically, 2009 doesn’t have to begin the way 2008 is ending. We can make a better year from the very beginning. We don’t have to follow the national trends. It is up to us. It starts with me and it starts with you.

I expect to work harder, smarter, and probably longer hours in 2009. I also expect to be a better husband, a better father, a better boss, and a better neighbor. I know many of you will join me in trying to make 2009 a better year in Rogers County. Even if we aren’t able to improve our national economy, we can have a caring, supportive, helpful and compassionate attitude as we pass through the streets of town.

To quote Steven Curtis Chapman: “Saddle up your horses, we’ve got a trail to blaze!” It is time to move on to better days. Lets make 2009 a year for the history books, in all the right ways.

Bailey Dabney can be reached at 341-1101 or via e-mail at bdabney@claremoreprogress.com