Let 2005 be a year of action in Oak Harbor. The population is tired of endless meetings, updated plans and failed efforts. This is the year to show us some results — something we can see, hold in our hands, or at least understand is real progress.

There are ten major areas where progress is possible if city leaders are willing to work together, accept responsibility for making difficult decisions and keep an eye firmly fixed on what’s best for our future, rather than listening too carefully to our small but vocal chorus of naysayers.

What should Oak Harbor’s agenda be for 2005? Here are 10 primary areas of concern.

1. Continue and expand efforts to make sure Whidbey Island Naval Air Station does not end up on the 2005 base closure list, or that realignment does not result in a net loss for the backbone of our economy. If the base gets cut in any significant way, we’ll end up treading water rather than making progress for the foreseeable future.

2. Work together to assure success of the school district’s maintenance and operation levy in March and stadium bond issue next fall. City council, school board and service club members all have to get on the same page on school improvements — they’re necessary for our children, our community and for economic progress. Top-notch schools also help assure the Navy will stay.

3. Restore Wes Lupien Airport to where it can once again support commercial cargo applications. Lack of civilian air service is one of Whidbey Island’s weakest economic links. Government can take the lead in helping private enterprise meet this need.

4. Complete and implement a tourism plan. No need here to rehash our long, sad and expensive history of trying to attract tourists to Oak Harbor. A final plan is in the works — talk about it, adopt it and get going on it.

5. Establish waterfront priorities, starting with the new city dock and including a long-range marina plan tied to access to downtown. Show us some progress on the dock — even if it’s only a permit displayed at a city council meeting. Right now, after years of effort, the public has seen no measurable progress on the city dock.

6. Make quality of life a priority when updating the city comprehensive plan. Greenways, open space, public trails, protection of wetlands, all should be given a higher priority as we prepare our city for a better future.

7. Adopt a unified approach to downtown signs to clearly point out tourist attractions and locally owned businesses. Signs are comparatively inexpensive, and this is one area where the public can see progress happen quickly.

8.Work with Sno-Isle Regional Library an an acceptable, lower cost plan for a new Oak Harbor regional library. Pay attention to what the voters said — give us a new proposal that’s adequate to meet future needs, but that could not be described as extravagant.

9. Create a better growing environment for the Garry oak tree at the post office rather than just talking about how to save it for another year — and without spending an exorbitant amount of money. This issue is now getting regional and even national attention. Show folks we care about our trees, and they may come here to visit or stay.

10. Be positive: Good advice for our elected leaders and citizens alike. Good things can’t happen in a negative environment. Think before you criticize, make any criticism positive and remember that it’s better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.