BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — New Year’s resolutions are a longtime tradition, said to have started around 4,000 years ago when ancient Babylonians held celebrations in honor of the new year and commitments to the gods to repay debts and return borrowed objects. For early Christians, resolutions became a tradition on the first day of the new year to think about past mistakes and resolve to do and be better in the coming year.
Inez resident Dennis Hall, a former city commissioner, is looking forward to 2023 and the changes he hopes it brings. He says there is much to accomplish in Martin County and Inez.
“Most important on my list is striving to be a better person each day and strengthening my connection with our local communities. I want to remain willing to lend a hand to anyone in need and to support projects and ideas that will move our city and our county into the future. We will only succeed if we’re all on the same page and work together, not against one another.”
Lovely resident Gladys Smith, a retired school teacher, wants to make healthier lifestyle choices and show more of God’s love to everyone.
Hode resident Denise Chaffins, the Warfield Park Community Center board chairperson, is committed to being kinder to herself, addressing her health issues and not putting her needs on the back burner.
“I hope to continue to devote my time and energy to Warfield Park and see improvements continue there because it’s an important asset to the community,” Chaffins said. “More than anything, I want to pray more, walk closer to God, and welcome his will to be done in my life.”
Inez resident Karen Harvey, a retired educator, resolves to host more family gatherings to promote closeness and unity.
Inez resident Jarrod Slone resolves to be more active in the coming year and to enjoy the beautiful outdoors of Eastern Kentucky. As vice chairperson of the Martin County Tourism Commission, he plans to continue working toward projects to move the county into the future and promote tourism.
Inez resident Claudean Williamson, a retired teacher, said her desire remains the same as it has been for years – to love God more and serve him better, to have more of his goodness and less of the world.
Huntleyville resident Jessica Taylor resolves to take life one day at a time and have more patience. She plans to set aside time for walks or a quiet place to meditate and pray and be thankful every day.
“There’s good all around us,” Taylor said. “We just refuse to see it at times, and we often take it for granted. We spend so much time complaining and concentrating on the bad that we forget to thank God for each day he allows us to wake up. I want to be grateful and never take life for granted. Our community has experienced a lot of deaths in the last year and sickness. Life is but a vapor, and we need to live each day to the fullest.”