By NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer
According to a multitude of online history sites, 4,000 years ago, the ancient Babylonians are believed to be the first to start the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. Theirs was primarily an agrarian society, and their New Year started March 23– on or close to the first day of spring. One of the most popular Babylonian resolutions was to return a farm implement borrowed from a friend during the previous year.
The Chinese New Year, which has been celebrated in late January and early February for a millennia, has traditionally included a resolution to undertake housecleaning projects.
The Romans, who celebrated the New Year on January 1, continued the Babylonian tradition by returning borrowed items, but they also had another popular resolution: asking forgiveness from their enemies of the past year. The early Christians, who lived in the Roman Empire, believed that the first day of the year should be spent reflecting on past mistakes and resolving to live a better life in the New Year.
People have been making and breaking New Year’s resolutions for thousands of years. According to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, in the United States the most popular New Year’s resolutions include stopping the use of tobacco and alcohol, losing weight and getting physically fit.
The Signal Tribune phoned a smattering of civic and community leaders to find out what their New Year’s resolutions were. While many of them were out of town for the holidays, the ones who were able to respond had interesting comments to make. Interestingly enough, not one of them mentioned resolving to return borrowed farm tools. Their resolutions follow:
Blair Cohn, executive director of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association: “I resolve to draw and paint more, take more pictures, go to more concerts and try to get over my shyness.”
Ken Farfsing, Signal Hill city manager: “I resolve to stay positive in these difficult economic times.”
Robin McCrary, case manager and Signal Hill field representative for State Senator Alan Lowenthal: “My resolution is to make positive changes in people’s lives through the good work of the senator.”
Tom Sonoff, Signal Hill Police Department chief: “My resolution as chief is to develop new programs in the police department so that my officers and myself can have more personal contact with the residents and businesses of Signal Hill. My personal resolution is to go fishing more often.”
Ryan Alsop, director of government and public affairs for the Long Beach Water Department: “I resolve to set a new personal record when I run in Huntington Beach’s Surf City Marathon on February 1.”
Jack Skandalakis, owner of Café Bixby: “I don’t make personal resolutions anymore because I was never able to keep them. But as a business owner my resolution is to fight like hell to keep this restaurant going in this very tough economy.”
Mike Noll, Mayor of Signal Hill: “I just want to continue doing what I did during this past year and improve upon it.”
Eighth District Long Beach City Councilwoman Rae Gabelich: “My personal resolution is to de-clutter my life and to make more efficient use of my time. As a councilwoman, I resolve to do my best to provide my constituents with what they need and to encourage them to participate in their community.”
