2024 New Year’s resolutions from community leaders

WILKES-BARRE — Another holiday season is winding down and 2023 is just about in the rear-view mirror.

As we dismantle our Christmas trees and put away the decorations, we vow to get in good enough shape to fit into all those nice clothes in our closets that we used to fit into not that long ago.

As we digest our pork and sauerkraut, we now look ahead to a bright 2024. Spring will soon arrive, flowers will bloom and voters will prepare for the 2024 Presidential election.

The days and months will again fly by, the snow will have melted, the heat and humidity will return, the leaves will change in the fall and my rescued Santa Claus toilet seat cover will again grace my front door in December.

Happy New Year to all and read on to see what our leaders resolve to do in 2024. Answers are as submitted to the Times Leader.

Gov. Josh Shapiro: “GSD” (Get Stuff Done) for the good people of Pennsylvania — again!

Pa. Treasurer Stacy Garrity: To continue fighting for every Pennsylvanian. In Wilkes-Barre, I’ll keep fighting for the veterans at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, where the administration seems incapable of treating our heroes with the dignity and respect they deserve. Across the state, my focus will remain squarely on our hardworking taxpayers. I think focusing on taxpayers is a good New Year’s resolution for every elected official.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey: In 2023, I shed light on greedflation, the phenomenon of corporations raising the prices of everyday household items to rake in record profits at the expense of families in Pennsylvania and across the country. In the new year, I am not only going to keep calling them out for squeezing Pennsylvanians, but will work to combat greedflation by fighting for policies to put more money in the pockets of working families, make corporations pay their fair share, fight unfair price gouging, and take on corporate monopolies to raise competition and lower prices.

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright: My hope is that the successful momentum of our passenger rail project continues to move forward at a steady pace because the people of NEPA deserve to have this amenity return to our area. I resolve to spend the next year making sure that our region continues to receive its fair share of federal tax dollars to be invested into our communities, infrastructure and local businesses.

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser: To be the best person I can be for my family and best representative for my constituents. To do all possible to earn the support of Pennsylvanians in the 2024 elections so as we elect the best people to correct the course of our country. A strong United States is essential to the well being of the world. It’s up to us to keep our Constitutional Republic.

Sen. Lisa Baker: I resolve to further emphasize positive, constructive, and cooperative action to solve real problems affecting local families and communities.

Sen. Rosemary Brown: To spend more time with my family and eat for better nutrition. Professionally, I want to utilize my position as a Senator to engage even more people in politics by offering stronger and more interesting education on issues, rather than fostering a society reading headlines. I want to build a district of great knowledge on all the issues by getting into the weeds and to be valued and known for offering this information.

Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski: To maintain my Open Door Policy to serve all my constituents regardless of Race, Color, Creed or Political Party and to address their concerns with every legal and appropriate means required to reconcile their issue or concern. It is an honor to serve, and I am humbled to do so.

Rep. Jim Haddock: 2023 was a very tough year in the family for tragic news. While enjoying quality time with loved ones is always a main focus, this year I especially want to concentrate on quality time with family and close friends.

Rep. Mike Cabell: To do my best to eat less processed foods whenever possible. On a professional level, I resolve to do everything I can to protect the personal liberties of the good people of the 117th district and the Commonwealth in general.

Judge Correale Stevens: To pitch my novel “Willowist” to Netflix.

Pittston Mayor Mike Lombardo: To continue the revitalization of the City of Pittston.

Luzerne County D.A. Sam Sanguedolce: To reserve more time for my wife and family and at work to resolve all the paperwork causing clutter in my office.

Mike Belusko, WB City Council: To keep a balanced budget for the citizens that I love and serve.

Tony Brooks, WB Council: To preserve and restore Irem Temple, see the new Hotel Sterling being built, fill all potholes, plant more trees and host more concerts on the River Common and Public Square.

Paul Keating, Kingston Administrator: To lead by example for my family and community through kindness, patience, and strength.

Alexis Eroh, Plymouth Council: To be more present and focus on and enjoy the moment.

Tom Leary, President LCCC: I hope to find more ways to help our students have more opportunities for success.

Rev. Thomas Looney, President King’s College: To write several thank you notes every day to alumni, benefactors, and friends whose support makes the great mission of King’s possible. To engage in, at least one, personal wellness activity each day.

Greg Cant, President Wilkes University: 2023 marked the creation of Wilkes University’s new strategic plan, which will guide our progress over the next 5 years. My resolution for 2024 will be to apply the three directives in the title of the plan — innovate, engage and thrive — to all that I do.

John Yudichak, incoming LCCC President: My 2024 resolution is to complain less, expect less, give more, trust more, and be more grateful for the blessings in life.

Lindsay Griffin-Boylan, President/CEO Greater WV Chamber: To be present and grateful for all of the amazing things I have in my life. To enjoy the time and moments with my husband, family, friends, team and all those around me.To continue to learn, travel somewhere I haven’t been and use my passions to create change for the better in any way I can.

John Augustine, CEO Penn’s Northeast: To continue to grow our regional economy with good paying jobs and finish the Humphrey Grimes project. Run a marathon.…or at least sign up for one. Stop making lists that include making more lists. And pray for a happy, wealthy and most important healthy 2024 to all of my family and friends.

David Pedri, CEO Luzerne Foundation: To remember where I put my keys at least once a week!

Diane Dutko, CEO Think BIG: Shop less and give more, laugh and read more, build new relationships.

Larry Newman, Executive Director Diamond City Partnership: To make 2024 the year when the Downtown Wilkes-Barre narrative shifts from “recovery” to “resurgence” — and to find the time to attend more downtown concerts and shows!

Tracey Selingo, Fork Over Love: My intention for 2024 is to simply LOVE MORE knowing that we can do great things when we work together for the good of all.

Teri Ooms, President/CEO The Institute: My New Year’s Resolution is more than a personal one. It is something I am hopeful we can all practice this year as we seem to have lost our way. RESPECT. We need to respect each other, we need to listen thoughtfully and we need to collaborate and compromise so that everyone benefits.

Bill Jones, President/CEO United Way of Wyoming Valley: Professionally, to continue to do all we can to expand the reach and impact of the United Way’s efforts to address childhood poverty throughout the community. Given the lasting effects of the pandemic on education and the current economic climate, the needs of at-risk kids and families continue to grow. Secondly, having just reached a milestone birthday and realizing that time goes by so very quickly, my wife and I plan on spending less time on the “small stuff” and more time visiting our daughters and enjoying more time with close friends this year.

Jennifer Warabak, Executive Director/Commission on Economic Opportunity: To get more people involved in “People Helping People.” CEO isn’t always understood — who we are, where our funding comes from and how everyone can get involved and help their neighbor in need. In 2024, we resolve to tell the stories of our helpers, so that everyone can see where they fit into our mission and our community.

Pete Danchak, PNC: To remember every day is a gift from God, so don’t waste it. Treasure the time you have with your family & friends. And always be nice to people.

Jim Cummings, Mericle Development: I plan to work with my teammates at Mericle to recruit manufacturers to our newly constructed buildings.

Robert Tamburro, Developer: To go to bed earlier.

Attorney Bill Anzalone: To have another successful UNICO football game in 2024 to showcase our players and raise money for local charity.

Bob Borwick, Dinners For Kids: To find more funds to help feed as many more children as possible in Luzerne County thru the Dinner for Kids program.

Will Beekman, ASM Global VP: This year, I resolve to spend more time with the people who provide me with peace, love, and understanding. And I think you should too.

Joell Yarmel, Executive Director F.M. Kirby Center: To continue growing with my team while offering cultural arts and mainstream programming, and creating fun customer experiences. And most importantly, staying dry!

Steve Poremba, Arena/ASM Global GM: To fully embrace my new leadership role at Mohegan Sun Arena and become a more active member of our community while trying to find a healthier balance in my professional and personal life. And to stop letting every Washington Commanders loss ruin my weekend!

Clancy Harrison, Food Dignity: An unwavering commitment to an economic nutrition security strategy for Northeastern Pennsylvania. Our promise is to continue to invest in and support our regional farmers. Together, we provide better access to nourishing food for everyone and create a resilient local food supply chain. My personal resolution as the founder of the Food Dignity Movement is to create congruence between my personal life, professional relationships, the people we serve, regional farmers, and our community partners.

Joe Nardone Sr.: To continue bringing back the memories in live concerts for the best generations of all time — Doo Wop & Oldies.

Gina Malsky, Downtown Dance Theater: More creating — less duplicating.

Erika Funke, WVIA: To give gifts in 2024 made by regional artists, musicians and writers, instead of things that aren’t handmade and which come from online vendors without ties to NEPA. It will make me a better arts advocate and will help support all those doing great creative work right here where we live.

Chelsea Strub, WNEP: Every New Year’s I choose a word or phrase to serve as a theme for my actions for the year. This year I’ve picked “Elevate.” I want to elevate the way I represent NEPA, elevate how I give back to the community and elevate my commitment to my own health and wellness!

Tom Williams, WBRE: Travel more and spend more time with family and friends.

Eileen Miller, Road Safety Advocate: To make sure my legislation gets passed SB37 Paul Millers Law also known as the hands-free legislation in Pa. My top priority! To make sure we see more safety on our roads. Keep spreading the message a much as I can about ‘no Phone, Nothing Addicting, no Speeding and always wear your Seatbelt’ — my acronym PASS. My husband Paul has ALS, keep spreading the message as much as possible about the devastating disease and keep advocating in Harrisburg and Washington for funding and keep praying for a cure!

Mary Kay Pivovarnik, CASA: To train for and complete my 5th and final marathon. I feel like this is my year.

Alan K. Stout, Visit Luzerne County: Professionally, to try to bring even more visitors to Luzerne County, to keep those big crowds comin’ to Rockin’ The River, and to continue to make the old train station a must-visit place in the community. Also, to make the 30th anniversary year of “Music On The Menu” a special one. Personally , more time and more laughs with family and friends, and though it may be wishful thinking, an October toast to the Yankees 28th World Championship.

Renita Zezza, Martz Group: To get more people on our bus tours.

Tara Siegel, Lewith & Freeman: My New Year’s resolution is to be in the moment I’m in, not too focused on the future of the past.

Mike Hopkins, CEO Children’s Service Center: To make 2024 a year I try my best to support the efforts of the amazing professionals at Children’s Service Center, Robinson Counseling Center and Conyngham Primary Healthcare Center, while also spending quality time with our 9 grandchildren. I hope to spend time with friends and family and as time permits, I’d like to stay acquainted with my golf clubs.

Fran (Zbieg) Moriarty, Quilts of Valor: I hope to learn the Polish language. Wesolych Swiat!

JK Karavis, Plymouth Rotary: To teach my son to hit a baseball off a tee this year.

Shelly Karavis, Plymouth Rotary: To be more organized.

Eric Joseph Esoda, CEO NEPIRC: In 2024, my resolution is to continue building upon the excellent work NEPIRC is already doing throughout northeastern, northern and north central Pennsylvania to help and support our manufacturers, their employees and their families, which in turn will result in meaningful impact throughout the communities we serve.

Chelsey Coslett, NEPIRC: 2004 is a big year for me both personally and professionally, as I’m getting married in June and will graduate from Leadership Northeast’s Core Program also in June. 2024 will be a year of growth, positive challenges and joy, and my resolution is to simply enjoy each moment, give myself grace when I need to and trust the process!

Jessica Cronauer, Executive Director/Leadership Northeast: To expand our team and enhance LNE programs even further in 2024!

Alana Roberts, PPL: Drink more water, cook more at home and climb mountains in places I’ve never been.

Linda Loop, Dress for Success: In 2024, I’m looking forward to some travel, being the best friend, mother, grandmother and wife I can be and growing as a compassionate human.

Holly Pilcavage, Coal Creative: Prioritizing rest so I can continue showing up fully for my family, friends, businesses and community.

Ellen Ferretti, Executive Director/North Branch Land Trust: For North Branch Land Trust is to be so good at what we do in 2024 that at least 10 people in the counties we serve who never thought about or appreciated the natural beauty of Northeastern PA take notice through our work, our messaging, our events, our lands, our very presence in service to the community and are grateful.

Elly Miller, Community Advocate: At age 82, my 2024 resolution is to be the best wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher, and friend that I can be. Relationships are everything!

Jim Brogna, Allied Services: Greater patience and wish for continued support from the community for the critical mission programs Allied Services has been providing for 65 years. To pray for peace around the world and for mutual respect especially in an anticipated polarized political year.

Carl Witkowski, CEO Berkshire Hathaway GUARD: To be even more focused on pooling local resources to create greater regional economic impact.”

Joe Barna, Korea War veteran: To live each day to it’s fullest, to appreciate your family and friends. To replace hate with love.

J Naparlo, developer: To relax more.

Suzanne Kapral, The Lands at Hillside Farms: Feel the fear and do it anyway. Worked great in 2023!

Jim Della Croce, Pathfinder Management: To do no harm, remind my family, friends and colleagues how much I appreciate them while I strive to support children less fortunate than me.

Bill Lewis, Commissioner/Vice Chair PHMC: Resolution to help share and teach more Pennsylvania history in 2024.

Scott Cannon, Video Innovations: To lose 20 pounds, advocate and work towards a better Luzerne County, and to bring some country music acts to the Plymouth Kielbasa Festival this year.

Jody Busch, musician: Hoping to bring joy and good cheer to my wife Mary McAndrew, continue enjoying meeting and assisting our hearing aid patients at our WB office. Continue to be a part of the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame, bringing recognition to those who deserve it. Have lots of fun on my YouTube channel Jody Busch’s Community and hope for a better future for those suffering all over the planet.

Joe Pacuska, musician: To be the man of the house! In the New Year I’m going to be the one who wears the pants, and do things that I want to do. But first I need to get permission from my wife.

David Yonki, Wilkes-Barre City: To continue spreading the word of healthy outcomes to citizens of the city of Wilkes Barre with renewed purpose in ’24.

Gerry O’Donnell: “Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope the best for tomorrow. May 2024 be a year filled with health for all!”

Times Leader staff resolutions

Joe Soprano, Times Leader Executive Editor: To appear in Bill O’Boyle’s Christmas column in 2024 and remind a certain columnist who he works for.

Andrew Mok, Avant Publications co-owner: To figure out better ways to reduce stress in my life, stick with a solid workout routine in 2024 and just try and enjoy my family and everything else that God has blessed me with.

Mark Couchot, Times Leader Director of Operations: Go to church every Sunday.

Diane McGee, Times Leader Advertising Director: “A new year filled with peace, love, happiness, adventure and growth.”

Roger DuPuis, Times Leader News Editor: Слава Україні! (“Glory to Ukraine!”)

Kerry Miscavage, Times Leader Publisher: My New Year’s wish for all our team members, readers, online visitors, advertisers, and friends is said best in this old Irish Blessing:

“May love and laughter light your days,

and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours,

wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world,

with joy that long endures.

May all life’s passing seasons

bring the best to you and yours.”

Here’s to a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!