In the spirit of the new year, may all enjoy peace, heath, love and prosperity … A few of the following would be nice too:

We wish that:

• The family and friends of Claire Randall are able to find peace and comfort after her tragic death in a murder-suicide Dec. 8.
• New Town Administrator Steven Contente — and all Bristol elected officials — leads Bristol with a steady hand, a clear voice and an open door.
• The state and federal investigation of former State Rep. Ray Gallison concludes and any potential misdeeds are punished harshly. Rhode Island politicians have too often betrayed their constituents’ trust. An example must be set.
• The Bristol Zoning Board does the right thing and listens to residents who fear the traffic impacts a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru would undoubtedly have on Hope Street. The proposed donut shop can not be situated on Hope Street; it must be moved to another location in Gooding Plaza that will be less of a burden on area residents.
• Bristol continues to develop its Thames Street waterfront and protect public access to the water.
• The lawsuit over Bristol-Warren Regional School District funding finally comes to an end, and both towns can have some resolution to move forward with their finances.
• Some state/municipal union leaders recognize the severe financial conditions still facing the state and, for the good of everyone — not just their members, although they, too, will benefit — accept what is admittedly a diminished return on their pension contributions. The alternative — bankruptcy of the state's retirement system — will most certainly provide less.
• Donald Trump handles the office he will soon hold with the respect, dignity, wisdom and humility that it deserves and demands in precarious times.
• All Americans — including Donald Trump’s supporters — hold the president-elect to a higher standard of behavior than he has shown before and after the election, and insist he stop spreading hate via his Twitter rants.
• 2017 provides less taxing of a year. There were too many losses over these past 12 months.