Williston looks to limitless possibilities of new year

As 2012 slowly fades away and 2013 begins anew, we at the Williston Herald are excited about the possibilities of the future.

In some ways, 2012 has been a great year, while in others it has been disheartening. In the new year, hope springs eternal and in that mindset, we offer these wishes for the citizens of Williston.

— Our biggest desire in the new year is to see truly affordable housing come to Williston. Like you, we have heard the promises of affordable housing, but affordable to developers and politicians and affordable to those forced to pay rent seem to be different numbers. Nothing would make us happier than to see apartments available for less than $1,000 a month and homes for not much more. We would also like to see a greater effort made to provide housing for senior citizens that can be paid on a fixed-income.

If that goal can be achieved, our second goal would have a much better chance at success.

— In 2013, we would love to see the men working in the Bakken oil field make Williston their home, not just their place of employment. We would like to see families reunited as the workers bring their wives and children to Williston and make it their home.

— If the families come, it would be wonderful to see the wives and older children relieve some of the employment pressures felt by almost every business not directly linked to oil. In 2013, we hope quality employees can relieve the strain felt by many businesses — retail, food services, education, medical, government and much more.

— We hope the success in the oil field that has made North Dakota the fastest growing state in the nation continues in the new year.

Yes, the boom has brought about many challenges, but the challenges we face are welcome as long as they are a sign the economy is thriving. While much of the nation is struggling to provide any new jobs, we are fortunate that jobs are available.

— We remain hopeful that traffic congestion will continue to ease as local and state agencies continue to build new roads and repair old ones. 2012 was a good year for roads, and we are hopeful 2013 will be as well.

— In the new year, we join Mercy Medical Center and Trinity Health Systems in hoping new doctors will choose to make Williston their home. A shortage of medical professionals has made people wait up to three months for routine doctor visits, and that is something we would like to see change in the new year.

— Most of all, as we look ahead to the limitless possibilities of a new year, we hope those who call Williston home will continue to be blessed and all their dreams will come true.

Tags: opinion, editorials, energy, oil