It’s January 2009. That means a new year, a new start. Time to turn over new leafs and replace the bad habits with good. Below, a sampling of Rentonites — residents, city officials and business owners — share their improvement plans for 2009.

“Help the homeless people here. There’s a lot here.”

Randy Gilchrist,

Renton resident and carpenter

“It sounds corny but I would love peace and happiness and safety for everyone in the world. It doesn’t matter if they’re low-income or above. Everybody needs to be happy.”

Cheri Brooks,

Renton resident

“It’s my personal goal to work close with our city administrators in 2009, in finding new ways to measurably improve the quality of life in Renton for our citizens, despite what promises to be a very challenging year economically.”

Denis Law,

mayor of Renton

“I Resolve: To Live - To laugh - To Love - One day at a time — in 2009.”

John Joseph Springer,

Covington resident known as Dancing Cowboy or Farmer John at Renton Farmers Market.

“My resolutions are few and probably very ordinary. I would like to start small and do the thing within my power. I would like to get organized and reduce the clutter in my life and in my home. I would like to appreciate loved ones and spend more quality time with family and friends this year. I want to enjoy life more, exercise more to bring balance to my body, mind and soul. Then I can say Life is Good!”

Linda Woo,

Seattle resident

Springer and Woo got engaged this summer after Springer began handing out business cards in search of a wife. The engagement’s off for now, but the pair are still friends.

“My New Year’s resolution is to serve at least 5,000 cups of lemonade during the city-sponsored neighborhood picnics this summer.”

King Parker,

Renton City Council member

“I resolve to spend more time with family and friends, but that doesn’t translate to necessarily be less time at ‘work.’ The Renton School District staff and students have become ‘family and friends’ – so you will still see me at concerts, shows and athletic events throughout the district. The superintendency is a ‘lifestyle’ rather than a job.”

Dr. Mary Alice Heuschel,

Renton School District superintendent

“To finally have more seating at Jet City. (However trite), to get my body back in the shape it was in just a few years ago — rowing or paddling more regularly. Get my garden back to looking more like a beautiful showcase.”

Debbie Natelson,

owner of Jet City Espresso

“My professional resolution is to work toward greater engagement with and relevance to the community that I serve. It’s important that those of us in the emergency services business are clear about the level of service our customers want, why they want it, and what they will support with resources.”

I. David Daniels,

chief of Renton Fire and Emergency Services

“I usually can’t keep them so I don’t make them anymore.”

Michel DeWitz,

owner of Ancient Arts Tattoo & Okie’s Piercing

“Im not going to start another project this year until I get the World Cruiser done — unless it’s a good project.”

Bob Dempster,

He is a Renton pilot who is building the Seattle II, a replica of the Seattle, one of five Douglas World Cruisers to attempt the first successful flight around the world in 1924. Two of the world cruisers completed the journey, but the Seattle crashed in Alaska, shortly after take-off. Dempster plans to recreate — and complete — that long-ago journey when he embarks on a round-the-world flight in the Seattle II April 6, 2010.

“I resolve not to get upset about the new garbage collection service... considering I’m going to spend four hours a day sorting garbage. Tissue goes here, gum wrapper goes there...”

Peggy Hanson,

Renton resident

“Help our business partners achieve their goals during these tough economic times. Keep our readers informed through our RentonReporter.com newspaper and Web site, on where to shop, eat, services to choose from and news that is happening right here in our city.”

Ellen Morrison,

Renton Reporter publisher

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