A look at some
resolutions for the new year

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Many people make resolutions at the start of a new year, and most keep them for at least a little bit of time.
Keeping a resolution to eat better, exercise more or some other personal lifestyle change for an entire year? Now, that’s a challenge.
Some local citizens are looking ahead to 2008 and are planning changes to their personal or professional lives.
Here’s a look at what some Philadelphians are saying as 2007 comes to a close:
• Mike McArdle, president of Archbishop Ryan High School, said he and all other heads of Catholic high schools face two major issues: infrastructure maintenance and keeping education affordable. Tuition is nearing $5,000 a year.
McArdle acknowledges that he is "desperate" to find money to support the 300-plus families at the school who rely on assistance to make tuition payments. He jokes that he wakes up in the middle of the night with that on his mind.
"My Ryan resolution is to provide more tuition assistance and money for capital improvements to maintain the facility."
• State Sen. Mike Stack (D-5th dist.) has been in the minority party since he first took office in 2001. He plans to seek a third four-year term in 2008.
Stack wants his fellow Democrats to deal with both Republican factions — the moderates and the conservatives — to advance the state’s agenda.
"My New Year’s resolution is to be a bridge-builder so the different sides of the aisle work together."
• Maxi Bilkins, the athletic director and baseball coach at George Washington High School, is looking forward to the spring, when the Eagles will play on a refurbished field. The senior-laden team will try to improve on last season, when it reached the Public League quarterfinals.
"Personally, it’s to always come into school with a positive attitude, and team-wise, it’s to have fun and see how things go."
• District Attorney Lynne Abraham has two years left in her term. She’ll be leaving office at the end of 2009.
Judges, lawyers and prosecutors are lining up to replace her in the ’09 election. But, what if Abraham throws a curve ball and announces in early 2008 that she’s resigning to run for state attorney general?
Common Pleas Court judges will select a replacement, who would run for a full four-year term in 2009.
So, what will it be, Lynne?
"I have made no final decisions about my future plans," she said.
• The Northwood Civic Association had a tumultuous 2007.
A majority of board members rebelled against president Joe Menkevich and board member Len Williams. The two resigned rather than fight with their detractors.
Gina Panchella became president for a few months, and then Barry Howell was elected to a full term.
Howell has two resolutions for 2008:
"Grow the membership to two-hundred and straighten things out in the community."
• Cathie Huntzberry, head librarian at Holmesburg Library, doesn’t have any specific resolutions for her branch, located at Frankford and Hartel avenues.
Huntzberry explained that any resolutions would sound too much like the library’s goals for the fiscal year.
Her personal resolution?
"I resolve not to let the little stuff get me down and to remember that, in the big picture, it is all little stuff." ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com