Whether you brought in the New Year with champagne or the comfort of a warm fire and a good book, it’ll take some time to sink into the habit of writing 2008 in all your correspondence.

That’s probably because there isn’t anything ominous about the number. Going from 2007 to 2008 is not like going from 1999 into the new millennium. Now, that was certainly memorable as most of us were forced to contemplate whether stocking up on canned goods for fear of a technological meltdown was really all that rational.

No, leaving 2007 is a little more subtle, save for those who lost loved ones or their jobs as a result of plant closures.

But as our Year in Review special features demonstrate, there was still lots going on in this area last year. Residents in Lake of Bays who see billboard signs as a blight on the landscape may remember 2007 as the year the municipality tightened the reins on the proliferation of such signs.

It will also go down in the local history books as the year when the efforts of a small group flourished and Dwight got its own Veterans’ Wall.

We’ll also remember 2007 as the year that began in earnest the process of analyzing how Muskoka’s district chair is elected. And the year that area MPP Norm Miller, once more, won the popular vote.

The landscape of the business community also changed dramatically this past year with long-time businesses closing their doors and existing ones either relocating or new ones moving in.

The sports and tourism community took huge strides last year with the announcement of the Iron Man, another successful triathlon, and a hockey franchise taken over by two local business men.

Community members also came out in force to support the fight against cancer in another successful Terry Fox fundraiser.

Unfortunately, this past year has been a tough one for Huntsville council – or at least for those of us looking in. Their infighting has produced a request for a judicial inquiry and there’s also talk of hiring a peace-maker to help them get along. If Machiavelli were alive, he’d write a sequel to The Prince and call it Blame the Media.

On a positive note, council brought back the town’s environment committee and a group of residents formed their own. We’re told our waterfront park will be completed in the coming year and that it will enhance our community.

We are also comforted by the immense talent in our community and how proactive many of its members can be about the issues they’re passionate about. This year it will be particularly important for all of those voices to be heard as we’re told by council to dream big about the future as it embarks on a community master plan. That master plan will be an important element in determining the future direction of this town and it is important that everyone is heard.

So cheers to 2008. May it bring good tidings to all.

T.d.V.