Review poll shows most wish for peace, contentment

When asked what their greatest wish for 2015 is, Tri-City area residents of all ages largely wished for some form of peace, health and happiness.
—Jimmy Manuel, 95, of Morgan City: “I do hope that the general attitude of the country will be somewhat peaceful and less … rambunctious. I read the police report and see all the arrests … and I would hope that some of this would diminish.”
Manuel added, “In the new year, I hope to retain my good health and my wife and my family retain their good health and their ability to work and progress. I have two daughters and two grandchildren, and I have some great-grandchildren. And I am concerned about their welfare naturally.” Manuel and his wife Muriel, 90, celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary Dec. 30, 2014.
Manuel said, “I am concerned about the community and the country and wishes or my hopes are that people will try to understand each other a little more.”
—Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church the Rev. C.F. Smith, 83, of Morgan City: “Mankind should become loving and more understanding and more forgiving toward one another. … My resolution is that even I become more loving and more understanding toward my fellow man.”
—Herman Hartman, 70, a lifelong resident of Morgan City: “My greatest wish is to be able to do as much with family and to enjoy the progress that’s being made in and around Morgan City. … My personal resolution is to give back to society as much as I possibly can and to stay in the mainstream of helping the young people and elderly citizens. … I just wish everyone would have a very positive outlook and try to be a positive influence during the year of 2015.”
—Recreation District 3 Chairman Stan Robison, 62, of Bayou Vista: “I hope for the health of the community, the whole parish — physical, economical and spiritual health.”
—Councilwoman-elect for the Town of Berwick Jacki Ackel, 62, of Berwick: “That everyone would greet each day with a heart filled with love, compassion and respect for all. And I wish for peace and harmony within families, communities, our state, nation and world; that a spirit of unity would prevail.”
—Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau Executive Director Carrie Stansbury, 49, of Morgan City: “I truly want happiness on a wide scale. I hate all of the discontent and disharmony going on in the world. Personally, I want to enjoy life and not sweat the small stuff and be a better person in 2015.”
—Morgan City High Principal Mickey Fabre, 45, of Patterson: “My wish for the New Year would be for the safety and well-being of my family, both my personal family and my extended family at Morgan City High. I’d also wish that all of the schools in St. Mary Parish have a great spring semester and finish the school year strong and on a positive note.”
—Dustin Bagwell, 31, of Morgan City: “My wish for the new year is a healthy happy year for me and my family. And a few big fish and deer would be nice, too.”