I couldn't say how the new year felt for everyone else in Pitt County, but, for me, Jan. 1 felt exceptionally hopeful this year.

With so many financial, political and social struggles across the country in 2010, 2011 felt like a fresh start, and the only place we could go was up.

So when it came to making my yearly resolutions, I didn't want to reiterate the same ones I've made every year since I was 18: I've gotta lose 10 pounds; I've gotta save more money; and I've GOT to get out of the debt in which I put myself the previous year.

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