Editor:

It's hard to believe we are at the end of another year. And what a year it has been! The economy is the worst it has been in decades and unemployment is still at a staggering high. Still, the New Year always rejuvenates the soul as we look forward to a better year.

Personally, I enjoyed meeting hundreds of Bellevue residents this year. I enjoyed the discussions about Bellevue's past, present and future. I am honored to be chosen as a member of council and I am excited about the upcoming year.

Though optimistic, I am also a realist. I recognize that serious changes need to be made to revitalize the commercial and residential appeal of Bellevue. The hill we have to climb is long and high. Bellevue government can't climb this hill alone. We need the involvement of the citizens. We need to hear [their] ideas and we need [their] participation. We need open minds as much as we need scrutiny.

Species, cultures, communities and businesses at some point come upon a crossroad. They must choose between renewal and extinction. They can change for the better and be reborn or they can continue their same path to an uncertain future. Is Bellevue at this crossroad?

If so, we need to tackle our problems as a community. We need the 8,000+ residents of Bellevue to take action. No action is too small, whether it's attending council meetings, keeping a tidy yard, shopping on Lincoln Avenue or even walking [their] dog (neighborhoods with high traffic in dog walking tend to have less property crime), Bellevue will benefit from [their] efforts.

I met some fantastic neighbors this year, both new and old to the community, all of which had a certain pride in Bellevue. Let's not lose that pride in 2010. Let's do our part and make Bellevue a premier place to live, worship and shop.

Mark Panichella
Bellevue Council