Journal Notes—January 2021

by Michael Hamline, Editor / Published January 2021

     Happy New Year and welcome to 2021! It is with no small amount of relief that the year 2020 is now in the rearview mirror, though I know with all that has gone on, it will not be a year that fades in anyone’s memory anytime soon. When I asked the following questions a year ago, I had little idea what was to come in 2020. “What will the New Year bring? Will it be a year that you get married or remarried, have your first child or grandchild, or watch a son and/or daughter graduate from high school or college? Will you lose your job, receive a job promotion, or change the company you work for? Will it bring the U.S. it’s 46th President or will the 45th President of the U.S. be elected to another four years? Will the economy keep booming and unemployment remain at record lows, or will this be a year that sees a recession and higher unemployment?” Most of the answers to these questions are specific to you.

     However, in terms of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the suffering will continue. There is hope, however, with the distribution of one of the vaccines already in progress as I write, and a second vaccine that appears highly effective, which should also commence distribution soon. Though there will be logistical challenges, we pray these vaccines will be able to be produced and distributed quickly and efficiently and that before 2021 ends all who want to receive the vaccine will be able to do so. Though not even one of us can say with any certainty what 2021 will bring, we know the New Year will have its mountain top moments, valleys, and plateaus like any other year. 

     On page 8, the Salary & Information Survey provides information to review and analyze in providing for those who make your community a place you enjoy living in. Some good news for 2020 is that manager salaries rose to $66,497, up from $66,013 statewide in 2019. 

     Some of the other articles in this issue help communities plan a budget with ongoing COVID-19, provide five considerations for fiber networks, share how to get blisters out of your paint job, reexamine restrictions on working from home, and much more. 

     FLCAJ wishes you a Happy New Year!

Editor