By Megan Alley
Sun staff

The start of the New Year is upon us, and we asked local leaders and officials from around the county to share their resolutions for 2018.

Here’s what some had to say:

Clermont County Office of Environmental Quality Director Paul Braasch said, “I resolve to get curbside recycling available to all residents in Clermont County in 2018. I also resolve to spend more time skiing.  Let it snow, let it snow.”

Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities Director of Community Relations Lisa Davis said, “Our New Year’s resolution at Clermont DD will be to continue offering the best-possible services to children and adults who have developmental disabilities in Clermont County. Davis continued, “We will be working extra hard to pass our 0.75 mil renewal levy that will be on the ballot in the May Primary Election.”

Clermont County Commissioner Ed Humphrey said, “As we go into 2018, the commissioners intend to be open and transparent to our residents. We want to continue to make Clermont County the best place to both work and raise a family. He added, “And we’ll continue to make sure that transportation improvements are a spur to greater economic development in the county. Happy New Year to all in Clermont County!”

Clermont County Sheriff Robert Leahy said, “We would like to continue to decrease our overdose deaths, and I personally resolve to get more sleep.”

Village of Williamsburg Mayor Mary Ann Lefker stated, “[The] New Year’s resolution for 2018 would be to grow our economy while promoting the established proud environment that recognizes Williamsburg as a great place to live, work and play.”

Batavia Local School District Superintendent Keith Millard said, “My personal New Year’s resolution is to carve out more time for personal reading in the new year and finish a table building project that’s been in the planning stages forever! My New Year’s resolution for our legislators is to pass all of the education bills currently under consideration that will provide more local control to Districts and Boards of Education.” He added, “Can’t hurt to have several resolutions!”

Clermont County Board of Elections Director Judy Miller, who is retiring on Dec. 31, said, “My New Year’s resolution is to try to get off the Diet Coke and exercise at least three days a week … in other words try to lose weight! Since I’m retiring, I plan to take a few courses up at Clermont College. I have always wanted to learn to speak Spanish! I also plan to volunteer to do some type of Community Service Work.”

Clermont County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Scott O’Reilly, said, “To always remember the importance of family and friends and never take them or time with them for granted.”

Clermont County Commissioner David Painter said, “I have been blessed and honored to represent the citizens of Clermont County over this past year. I love to work, but I understand that a healthy balance must be maintained to ensure that I continue to be effective while enjoying work and family. My New Year’s resolution includes taking care of my spiritual and physical heath while finding time to spend with my family and grandchildren. God has blessed me with great family. I want to make sure they know how much I love them. May God bless Clermont County and make 2018 the greatest year ever!”

Commander for Disabled American Veterans Chapter #63 Clermont County John Plahovinsak said, “Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #63 (Clermont County) will strive not only to provide services to disabled veterans in 2018 but also to fight for both federal and state legislation to protect the earned rights of veterans.

Plahovinsak continued, “For example, the Veterans Administration only provides comprehensive benefits to caregivers of veterans severely disabled on or after September 11, 2001. The caregivers of veterans severely disabled before September 11, 2001, receive no benefits. This discriminated group of caregivers for veterans of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam are not eligible to participate in VA’s programs because of an arbitrary delimiting date established by Congress. Chapter #63 (Clermont County) will ask the general public in 2018 to sign up and participate in the DAV Commander’s Action Network (C.A.N.) to correct this inequity by Congress and work with the DAV to support our disabled veterans.”

Operations Commander for the Union Township Police Department Lt. Anthony Rees resolves to, “continue to strengthen the relationship we have with the community,” and to “continue to diminish crime and the fear of crime within our community.”

Communications Coordinator for Clermont County Kathleen Williams said, “I hope I am more generous in spirit, and more gracious with others. Also, less time on social media, more time reading books.”

President of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 649 Ken Williamson said, “One of my resolutions for 2018 is to continue to serve my fellow Vietnam veterans and members of Clermont County VVA Chapter 649, and to continue providing veterans of all wars with information and assistance concerning the benefits to which they are entitled  pursuant to the motto of VVA: ‘Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.’”