Optimism springs eternal when a new year comes around. Resolutions, challenges and goals are established, people might start new routines, and our town continues to bustle the next few months as last-minute winter visitors descend on our burg to escape the freezing weather plaguing much of our country.

With the bulk of the Great Recession behind us, we continue to look for little signs of optimism with regard to our local economy, our schools, our municipal services. We’re hoping that retailers and restaurant operators will remain busy as our pleasant winter weather gradually gives way to summer heat in a few months.

With a successful election in November 2013 for both the Town of Fountain Hills and Fountain Hills Unified School District, much of 2014 will be spent on moving forward with plans already outlined by those entities.

Hopefully by the end of this calendar year the massive reconstruction project on Saguaro Blvd. will have commended, and school officials no doubt will be busy plotting out various projects utilizing the $8 million in capital bonds approved by voters (the budget override extensions won’t kick in until next year).

Town government also could be looking at improvements on the median strip for Avenue of the Fountains as well as Fountain Park. Proposed zoning changes to the undeveloped Adero Canyon also could produce some headlines this year.

Future economic development will continue to be a hot topic in 2014, as business retention along with recruitment are key to ongoing success for this community.

So as the new year has already dawned, we urge citizens to stay engaged and stay active in Fountain Hills throughout the year – our schools, our clubs, our politics, our businesses, our faith community.