Survey shows yearning for peace in the new year

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

A ‘Person on the Street” interview asked people for their resolutions.

Random people around Ormond Beach were asked about their New Year’s resolutions and hopes for the new year. There was a recurring theme: Peace.

“There’s enough pressure these days.”

Kenyon Dye, of Palm Coast, who sells handmade items made from PVC at the Ormond Beach Farmers Market and also performs as a musician throughout the area, said he doesn’t make resolutions because they just add something to worry about.

“There’s enough pressure these days,” he said.

But his goals are to be content and healthy.

“You can’t control the world but you can control your own environment,” he said.

“We forget to help each other.”

Jason Baller, of DeLand, delivers farm-fresh produce to the Farmers Market each week. He said he would like to do more to bring peace and equality to people in the County. He said he mentions the County, because he has noticed that smaller counties in northern Florida still have a feeling of brotherhood.

“When counties get so big, we forget to help each other,” he said.

“You’re not going to live forever.”

Robbin Wren, of Ormond Beach, who sells pottery at the market, said she wants to have more fun and work smart.

“I’m killing myself right now,” she said. “You have to figure out how to work smart so you can enjoy life. You’re not going to live forever.”

“I’d like to see no more war.”

Robert Tanajes, of Ormond Beach, was fishing off the Granada Pier. He said he would like to see peace around the world, and thinks it would be possible.

“I hope Isis doesn’t run over us,” he said.

His son, David, also fishing, echoed the sentiment.

“I’d like to see no more wars,” he said.

“I want to exercise more.”

Walking for exercise around the pier and bridge were Debi Callahan and Joyce Gainey, both longtime Ormond Beach residents.

Callahan said even though she walks almost every morning, she wants to exercise more to be healthier.

Gainey said she hopes for peace. She’s concerned about terrorism and hopes it goes away in the coming year.

“Follow God’s will in my life.”

Tiffany Spain and Rachel Ward both said they want to be closer to God.

Spain said her resolution is to “to run after God with everything I have with no stumbling blocks in my way.”

Ward said she wanted to “follow God’s will in my life and not my own.”

“I can’t remember when gas prices dropped.”

Frank Lospitalier, visiting from New York, said he hopes the stock market keeps going up and gas prices keep going down.

“I can’t remember when gas prices dropped,” he said.

“We just retired so we don’t know what we’re doing yet.”

Blane and Kim Kostus were walking along the beach. Just retired, they are living in an RV and have their mail delivered to two different RV parks. They had planned to stay in Ormond Beach for one day, but were still there after three days because they were enjoying themselves.

“We just retired so we don’t know what we’re doing yet,” Blane Kostus said.

For the new year, Kim Kostus said they just want to find peace themselves.

“The peace will emanate out,” she said.