Wildfires, elections, budget cuts. It seemed like there was always something big going on in 2008. Now that we’re bringing the year to a close, it’s only natural that we pause and consider what we’ve been through in the past year and what we see ahead of us in 2009.

So, we’re asking you, dear Noozhawk readers, to dust off your crystal balls and do some prognosticating, or at least give us your best guess, as to what’s coming for the next year.

Do you have positive or negative thoughts about our newly elected officials? In your opinion, is the local economy going to get better, worse or remain the same? Will the Miramar Hotel or Santa Barbara Ranch development projects break ground? Should gas prices go up? Are we making good progress toward saving the environment? We’d love to hear what’s on your mind for 2009.

Tell us what you foresee about the local issues important to you, and we’ll publish as many as we can get. Send clear and concise responses to news@noozhawk.com. Longer entries may get edited down.

Thanks to your input, we’ll all have some food for thought in the new year.