Editor, The Commercial:
It was my choice to end the year 2016 with hope and optimism, realizing the year 2016 did end with some positive results, such as Pine Bluff electing its first black female mayor in the person of Shirley Washington.
From my conversation with (then Mayor-elect) Washington, I came away hopeful and encouraged, to the point where I believe Pine Bluff will be better in 2017. We should not go into 2017 planning to be bystanders, waiting to see what (the new mayor) is going to do, but we should support her agenda and get involved with her efforts to make Pine Bluff better.
Realizing who will be in the White House in 2017 is enough to end the year sad and pessimistic. Instead, I choose to end the year hopeful and optimistic, in spite of who will be in the White House.
As I end the year 2016, I do so encouraged, seeing the opportunities 2017 brings. I plan to seize those opportunities, to end the year making a commitment now, to be a positive change force in 2017. I challenge you, brothers and sisters, to join me in being hopeful and optimistic; as we end the year, let’s together make a pledge now to serve God more in 2017 by serving others, which is God’s desire of us. In so doing, we spread God’s love.
Milton H. Jenkins
Pine Bluff