Make El Paso prosperous in 2011, my best wishes for all

By Joe Olvera ©, 2010

Here’s hoping that all my friends and family had a great Christmas season, surrounded by the ones they love and by those who love them. As for me and Julieta, we had a great time, as always, surrounded by our three kids, Ricky, Carlos, and Diane – and, our beautiful grandchildren, including Little Ricky, Victoria, Aliyah, Izzy, G.G., and our little Brianna. Christmas is for the children, and it was so great to see their little eyes light up at the sight of the tree and the presents that held it up. They are already anxious for next year’s magic day, and what Santa will bring if they’re good girls and boys.
So, with one holiday out of the way, and the beginning of the coming New Year, let me give you an idea of what I wish for those whom I admire and those whom I don’t admire so much to see what 2011 will bring to them. My hopes and wishes are:
*That the hate crimes against gay people stop immediately, and, that those who purport to love Jesus Christ and to follow his teachings find compassion in their hearts and acceptance/tolerance in the coming year. Don’t hate so much, people;
*That Veronica Escobar gets off to a great start as our newest El Paso County Judge, that her legislative ideas take hold because she has a great and grand heart and her love for all El Paso will be something that will grow even more strong and powerful;
*That newly elected Republican Dee Margo join hands with his Democratic colleagues, and that, together, they will help El Paso grow into the great and prosperous city that it can be;
*That our great Congressman, Silvestre Reyes (D-El Paso) continue his amazing run as our representative in D.C. and that he finds it easier to deal with those issues that other legislators would rather ignore, may he continue doing his usual great job;
*That people with disabilities wake up to find a city and county that’s willing to make it easier for them to move up and about, with the American’s With Disabilities Act becoming a true reality, not just on paper, but in actions as well;
*That artistic El Pasoans continue to tout our beautiful city in their art, their literature, and their journalistic endeavors;
*That the violence that has permeated Ciudad Juarez come to a halt, that the cartels realize that murdering innocent children and other people is not the way to go, that it’s within their power to put a stop to their murdering ways;
*That the homeless find homes and abodes where they may reside, where their dignity can be recaptured/restores, and their need for shelter can be realized;
*That our soldiers, those who are fighting and dying to keep us free, suddenly find an end to the war so that they can come home and rejoin their families in peace, understanding, and good will – it’s tough, but, it can be done;
*That President Barack Obama continue to work towards achieving true peace, and that the parties that divide our nation become as one to end the gridlock that keeps our nation stymied and without compromise, that both parties forego politics and their own agendas, that they may reach agreement on everything that affects our nation;
*That the hearts of both Democrats and Republicans open wide to agree on an immigration resolution that will allow those who are here illegally, to come, at last, out from the shadows that keep them shackled and out of the mainstream of American life;
*That farmworkers, those who struggle to feed their own families, while putting food on our tables, gain wage increases and that those farm owners who employ them understand that their need is great, and that only they can remedy the situation;
*That our educational system continue to educate our children, that they can eliminate corruption and oust those who would keep schools under their control, while lining their own pockets with gold.
*That the UTEP Miners, football and basketball, enjoy victory after victory, that they have another successful season – get us to a bowl and the Big Dance, and win both;
*That the Dallas Cowboys forget this horrendous season, and come back full of verve and fire to make us loyal fans proud – get us to the Super Bowl in 2011;
*That every El Pasoan enjoys a fruitful and prosperous 2011, while being generous with their time, their volunteerism, and their love for every one of us. El Paso is unique, let’s keep it that way, and, of course, my best wishes for my own family – a large one, spread far and wide. Let’s help make 2011 a great year, for one and all!

Sin Fin