This is always a great time of year. Christmas and Hanukkah have either come to an end or soon will. Now, we are left to think about how the year has passed and what we can look back upon as the momentous events of the year. Some of the events were really good. Some of the events should have had a different outcome. In all cases, they are events that are now passed into history.

This time of year, is also a time for thinking about what will come next. What is out there waiting for us in 2017? What stories will we look back on in one year’s time with surprise. Here are a few local stories that I think will be in your news feeds this coming year.

At a vote in June, Brunswick will approve a new school spending initiative. There will be little surprise that the measure passes given that the vote in June traditionally carries the day decidedly for the school budget. There will be much celebration among the 230 people who vote in the election.

The day after the school vote is taken the floor at the Central Fire Station will collapse under the weight of the fire trucks parked inside. Considering the original station was intended for horse drawn apparatus, I think we got our money’s worth. Despite the emergent need, the Fire Department will still have to wait several years before a replacement is seen as needed.

Former State Senator Stan Gerzofsky will be seen in the halls of the State House every day during the current Legislative session. When asked about being in the State House, the good Senator will proclaim, “Old habits are hard to break”.

After 2016 saw several bans come before the Town Council, a new group will emerge to seek a ban on cardboard boxes and paper bags. The ban will be promoted as an effort to move away from a product that is responsible for the destruction of so many wonderful trees. A spokesman for the group will encourage the use of a make it yourself hemp bag to capitalize on Maine’s new found freedom with Marijuana when shopping.

About midyear Brunswick will see full operation of the Breeze Bus, Concord Coach Lines and the Amtrak Downeaster all headed to Portland. Despite only 20 people per day riding on them, the three modes of transportation will be seen as a major success.

Later in the year, and not to be outdone by the group seeking to ban cardboard boxes, a group will petition the town to outlaw the wheel within town. The goal of the group is to make Brunswick a truly pedestrian town.

Tempers will flare among some of the town’s residents once the ban on the wheel goes into effect as it takes hours to get a pizza delivered to your door. Delivery drivers instantly become delivery walkers. Dale King at Brunswick Taxi will develop an ingenious way to overcome the ban by equipping his fleet of taxis with tracks. Going forward his taxis may resemble a tank, but they will move around Brunswick with ease, while enjoying very little traffic.

A few of Brunswick’s more entrepreneurial residents will be the first to cash in on the efforts by the town to become a Tree City USA Town by offering for sale a special tree. These organically grown, free range, fair trade, noninvasive saplings will be sold at a premium and will spur a tree planting race among the town’s most well-heeled residents. It is only after the newly planted trees grow in earnest that the buyers realize the saplings are nothing more than a common pine tree.

Well there you have it, predictions for 2017. May the start to your new year be happy and joyous. Here is looking forward to a great 2017. Happy New Year!

That’s my two cents…

Jonathan Crimmins lives in Brunswick and can be reached at j_ [email protected].