Happy for the coming New Year
The new year 2023 is shaping up to usher in many changes throughout the world as well as here on our local stage. For the Chinese, 2023 is the year of the Rabbit. Rabbits are known to be docile, not an animal known to be particularly aggressive. Perhaps that is a good omen for upcoming U.S.-China relations. India’s hard work in other areas is finally coming to fruition. In 2023, India is projected to surpass China to become the world’s most populous country. Way to go, India! Now slow your roll. The United Kingdom will have a year filled with pomp as they hold the coronation of their new King Charles III. This is quite a change, considering that Queen Elizabeth II has reigned since most of us were born. She leaves behind some big, classic and elegant shoes for the new King to fill. Microsoft announced that they will end support for Windows 8.1, a version that was released in 2014. If you are still using 8.1, it is probably past time to look into modernizing your computer equipment.
Here locally, 2023 brings a slew of new faces of civic leaders and representatives. New Navasota City Manager Jason Weeks has been in place for about nine months now. He immediately dove into the deep end as he approached his job with vigor and enthusiasm. It appears he swims like a fish.
Another new face to the City of Navasota leadership is the recently-sworn Police Chief Mize. His widespread support among the locals and numerous honors and recognitions he has received provides a sense of optimism as he endeavors to lead the NPD.
A new Grimes County Commissioner, David Tullos, begins his job in January 2023. This is the first change to the makeup of the Commissioner’s Court in nearly five years. With the growth that is anticipated in Grimes County, Mr. Tullos and the other Commissioners will have their hands full. At the state level, we have two new representatives. Texas State Representative Kyle Kacal will begin representing Grimes County, as will Texas State Senator Lois Kolkhorst. Representative Kacal has been extremely visible and present in Grimes County since his election. Senator Kolkhorst is no stranger to Grimes County, having previously served as our State Rep. and also with local business interests in the area, along with her husband.
Then, in Washington, D.C., we will have a new Congressman to replace Kevin Brady, who is retiring after 25 years representing Texas’ 8th Congressional District. Congressman Brady’s camp cites a long list of his legislative accomplishments during that time. We’ll just have to wait to see how the new person, whomever that will be, approaches the job.
So, new faces and new ideas are coming at us from all directions. I, for one, welcome the change and wish all the players great success in their new roles. But just in case, I’ll be carrying a rabbit’s foot for good luck.
One other unconfirmed item for 2023 is that the CEO of IKEA will take over as Prime Minister in Sweden. He should have his cabinet together by the end of January.
The column represents the thoughts and opinions of Johnny McNally. Opinion columns are NOT the opinion of the Navasota Examiner. Johnny McNally is Grimes County’s Best Dressed Businessman advocating for Grimes County and writes a bi-weekly column for the Navasota Examiner.