Moving Into 2026

As we prepare to enter another year while closing the book on 2025, it is important to reflect on both the past twelve months and look ahead to the next year and beyond. 

It would be naïve of me not to recognize that the world, our nation, and our community face major challenges as we enter 2026. Some of the issues we are facing today have been caused by poor decisions from the past by those who continue to sit there today, and we must admit to those errors rather than repeat them once again and learn from those mistakes. 

Evil still exists within the world we live in. We must see that threat, and all free nations must come together to prevent a continuation of its growth and threats to sovereign nations. 

Those who claim a “religious” foundation for their hate filled rhetoric and barbaric actions are the greatest threat to civilization since the demonic march of tyranny across the world leading up to and including World War II. 

Nationally, the people of this great nation are seeing a leadership void in the actions of those we elect to do the people’s business in Congress. It is time that we have an adult conversation about term limits.Blame belongs on both sides of the aisle, and no one is without culpability in the recent government shutdown debacle. 

At the birth of this nation, men put their names on a piece of parchment which essentially put a bounty on their heads as they signed the Declaration of Independence.  They did so with great hope and anticipation of a better life for the people who sought their independence. 

It may well be time that the President, Vice President, and each member of Congress be seated in one room and have that document read to them, for it is obvious that they haven’t read it and need to have someone explain it to them. They also need to have the names of each of the men and women who have given their lives in defense of our liberties read to them to remind them of the cost of our liberties. 

At the same time, they need to be reminded that they are there to do the people’s business. They are not there as members of any political party or special interest group; they are simply Americans, sent there to do the will of the people and do the best they can for all the citizens of this nation. Gridlock, filibusters, blame games, and pandering will no longer be tolerated.   

We cannot expect American society to right a ship that has been listing for a number of years if those who govern us are not willing to abide by the same rules that apply to us.  The days of a wink and a nod being given to those in power are done. We must all play under the same rules and maintain our high standards of values and morality. 

If we don’t, we may suffer the fate President Abraham Lincoln once spoke about: “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we will have destroyed ourselves.”   

At home, we have our own set of challenges as we move into the next year. It was Thomas “Tip” O’Neil, a former Speaker of the House and flamboyant national political figure from Massachusetts, who phrased it perfectly when he spoke about how best to keep a person’s perspective about their position: “Always take your job seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously.” 

Over the last several years,we’vewatched as those who set policy from the dais in council chambers have struggled with the fact that they are no longer running for office but instead are in charge of it.  

The recent interim appointmentof Casey Lucius to run the affairs of the city was a positive move forward, and they should be applauded for that choice. The setting of realistic goals and objectives to move the affairs of the city forward on a firm footing for the future is of paramount importance. 

Unfortunately, some are still struggling with understanding that their role lies in setting the course through strong policies, while others have the responsibility of running the ship and implementing those policy decisions. 

The challenges that face us, both on and off the island, are substantial as we move forward. They will take some very serious study and discourse amongst council, and in that lies the next challenge - changing the tone of that discourse.   

Meetings are not meant to be love fests, but neither should they consist of angry bantering between councilors who attempt to one-up each other. Each and every one of the seven individuals are intelligent and well-studied individuals who bring their own unique perspective to each issue and deserve to be heard in a respectful manner. All of this will minimize the rhetoric while shortening the meetings and moving forward on each issue in a deliberate and effective manner. 

The decisions reached in 2026 will affect us ten years into the future, while a studied and professional approach to them has never been as important as it will be in these next twelve months.   

Having said that, we wish you all a happy, safe, and prosperous 2026.