My New Year's resolution is to write no more letters to the editor and concentrate instead on my contributions to Encyclopedia Britannica.

In parting, however, I point out that Fredericksburg residents are very fortunate these days. Thanks to Central Park and other businesses, we have gone from being one of the most fiscally stressed cities in the state to one of the most prosperous. We have the fiscal means for first-class police and fire services, for infrastructure, and for other services.

Planning is moving ahead for badly needed new schools; a parking deck may result in one or more downtown hotels; purchasing Executive Plaza is a wise move and can be used for both police and school purposes; a homeless shelter will be retained; Celebrate Virginia will help make our city a tourist destination instead of a stopover and bring in more business and tax revenues; downtown seems to be flourishing; and the proposed uses of Maury School for presidential libraries and other purposes are excellent.

We have a great library and a great library staff. We can thank both former councils and the present ones for such things.

Admittedly, there are some concerns that remain to be seriously addressed. Something must be done to avoid traffic gridlock. The railroad station needs sprucing up. Plans for riverfront improvements and protection should be sped up.

Is Fredericksburg better off now than it was 10 years ago? That's a no-brainer. A decade ago, the city was nearly bankrupt and considering reverting to town status.

Differences of opinion about how the city should proceed will always exist, but it is possible to disagree without being disagreeable.

And so back to my work on the encyclopedia. I am now in the "C" section, working on an article about cyclotrons.

John Goolrick

Fredericksburg