New Year’s Eve is the traditional time to make resolutions for the next year. Whether it is to give up smoking, diet, save money, spend more time with the family or get fit, the resolutions usually last no more than a few days before they get thrown out along with the Christmas tree and the wrapping paper.

But there is no harm in making resolutions, and it wouldn’t hurt for Bermuda as a whole to make some as well which — if kept would make this a better community in 2006.

Community is a key word. For all of its success, the Island is often more notable for its divisions than for what binds it together. From politicians to the man in the street, 2006 could be a truly great year if people spent less time scoring points and more time coming together with constructive solutions.

Housing would be a good place to start. As long as the Island has an affordable housing shortage, it will have other social problems.

Government must take the lead on this, and proceed with its plans, which have been on the drawing board for far too long. The private sector has a role to play here as well. If developers looked for a little less profit and a little more social good, the Island would be a better place. Customs duty breaks and payroll tax breaks for developers who can build affordable homes for rent or sale would help.

As stated here yesterday, education remains an absolutely key issue for the community. Educating the whole community to work smarter and to take advantage of the opportunities that are available is vital.

A commitment to raising educational standards and to supporting for the beleaguered public education are two of the building blocks that are needed. Forty years after desegregation ended, race remains, in the words of Premier Alex Scott, a quagmire. Less race-baiting — from Government Ministers and others — and more constructive approaches to building racial understanding and tolerance would go a long way to easing community tensions.

Bermuda’s environment shapes the community. Striking a balance between housing needs and the importance of preserving open space, clean water and the like is hard.

But the balance, if it is not too late, must be struck. Even small things — not littering, reducing the amount of garbage we generate, planting a tree — count. Everyone can and should do their part to maintain the beauty of the Island which we too often take for granted.

The media, including this newspaper, are in the privileged position of being the country’s watchdog. With that privilege comes responsibility. Fairness and accuracy, balance, providing context and reporting news that reflects the whole community without pandering to any one segment are essential elements in building and keeping trust, and none of us in the media would claim to be perfect at meeting those goals.

But we must continue to strive for them, and to be fearless and independent in reporting the news as it affects the people of this Island. This newspaper tries to provide the facts that the people of Bermuda need to make informed decisions about their lives.

We are grateful to our readers for continuing to support us, for your letters and comments (both of praise and of criticism) and look forward to continuing to serve you.

We wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2006.