Old Woes Haunt New Year

There are still 362 days till Christmas, but the new year is only a few days away and that’s another thing to look forward to. New Year’s Day can be one of the better holidays because it’s a time of new beginnings, renewed optimism and hope.

The calendar gives us a whole new year to tackle those nagging problems that couldn’t be unraveled in 1986, some of which are outlined in excerpts from reader’s letters and columns elsewhere on this page.

Traffic is the county’s No. 1 problem. Every survey shows that. Growth is another major issue that divides some communities. Other familiar, unresolved issues seem ever present. Remote and acceptable sites for a new jail and regional airport still must be found. Several communities want to form new cities to better protect their interests. There are the poor and the hungry and the homeless. Too many people still can’t afford housing here.

But relatively new, and perhaps most serious of all, is that too many people, as too many surveys in 1986 began to show, don’t seem to care. They are turning inward. Despite high incomes and the county’s strong economy, many residents remain pessimistic about the county’s future. They are troubled by continued growth and fearful about the increased immigration and influx of minorities. They want improvements, like more freeway lanes, but they don’t want to pay for them.

The new year couldn’t come at a better time. A new start is needed. Negative attitudes can quickly drain the county’s spirit and zest, and hamper its ability to solve problems. Orange County residents have too many reasons to be optimistic and upbeat for that to happen.