We really are a blessed community.

Oh, I know we have our share of challenges but, then, who doesn&8217;t? Road congestion, schools busting at the seams and the need to keep up with public services are constant issues for us.

Many communities across Alabama would love to have these problems. Other counties look to Shelby County in awe and wonder how they can have a home like we do.

Of course, there is still some justified frustration with the progress of road widening in our area. This predicament is better than the alternative.

Many areas of our state don&8217;t have road problems mainly because so many people have left their communities and moved to where life is much better.

One of the biggest reasons for the growth in Shelby County is that so many people want to come here for a piece of the good life.

Over the next several years, we are going to have to develop a long-term plan for how we deal with our water supply. This won&8217;t be easy but at least we have a water supply.

I have traveled to parts of Alabama where running water was not available to citizens, and the sanitary conditions where they lived were similar to a third world country. So while Shelby County might have some lawns that are suffering from the restrictions imposed during this drought, at least our residents are not going without drinking water.

Go any where in this state and ask a local or state official where they would serve if they were not elected to office in their community and the answer is always the same &8212; Shelby County.

The New Year will bring some of the same challenges we have faced for many years, but at least Shelby County is well equipped to deal with them.

Our community is strong, vibrant and growing.

We should count our blessings in Shelby County that the future is bright and we have so much to be thankful for.

State Rep. Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) serves District 49. He can be reached by e-mail at mailto:camjulward@aol.com.