Making resolutions for the new year may be an American tradition, but I’ve always found it an exercise in futility. I know I have to lose weight and exercise more, but what are the chances of that happening? Instead, I’ll just exercise my gratitude for making it through another year in this decrepit human form.

After the transit strike, I’m also ever so grateful to be living in New York City’s nicest borough – Staten Island.

While most Staten Island residents were relatively unscathed by the union’s illegal strike, local businesses were actually helped because people shopped locally instead of trekking to Manhattan department stores. After all, our mall has a Macy’s, a Sears, and a JC Penney, and Staten Island also has Costco, Home Depot, and Lowe’s. Staten Islanders can dine at Charlie Brown’s or at the exquisite Hilton Garden Inn, not to mention the gazillion fine Italian restaurants. Most own cars, and the malls have parking lots, so I can’t say I missed the subway shopping ordeal a bit. In addition, Staten Island train service, though limited in range, was still operating.

Residents living in the St. George area and working in Lower Manhattan had the easiest commute of all, as the free ferry service to the city is within walking distance. Yes, we call Manhattan “the city,” even though we’re actually part of it, but I don’t mind at all living in the forgotten borough. Unfortunately, that forgotten part may be coming to an end.

The ferry terminals in St. George and Whitehall (Manhattan) have been renovated and in 2006 will be a star attraction for tourism. Once the work is completed, the terminals, which have excellent waterfront vistas, will offer a variety of gustatory delights and services for commuters.

Many Staten Islanders have been curious about the progress of the overhaul because we haven’t seen much evidence of new businesses in the terminals. This is hard to understand: One would think concessionaires would be breaking down the doors to operate in a facility that handles more than 40,000 travelers a day.

I spoke to Wayne Rose of the ferry Terminal Management Group, which handles the leases for the concessions. He filled me in on the new businesses coming to the Staten Island and Whitehall terminals.

Mr. Rose said, “We presently have opened America Gift & News and Aunt Butchies Bakery & Cafe from Brooklyn. Set to open in the next few weeks is the Different Twist Pretzel, with fresh, hand rolled gourmet pretzel co-branding with Ciao Bella Gelato & Sorbets as well as yogurt, which will also feature pretzel cones. Presently being constructed and scheduled to be open in a few months is a Nathan’s and Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips, the Ferry Kitchen,which is a gourmet pizza/deli, and we are presently entertaining bar/pub operators.

“In Saint George, we already have opened a temporary deli and newsstand. Construction is shortly going to commence on Wireless Choice cellular, Harbor Sunglasses & Optical, St. George Gifts & News, an accessory store. And the Coffee Beanery is coming in and we have the Liberty Cafe coming as well. There’s presently a lease out with Popeye’s Chicken and we are presently negotiating with H&R Block Tax Services and are entertaining dry cleaners, postal service companies, liquor/wine store operations, CD/DVD, hair and nail salons, Mexican food, perfume and cosmetics, as we certainly wish to entertain any other uses which operators may request. In addition, we have two fantastic water and city view spaces for which we are entertaining restaurant and bar operators.”

Mr. Rose said he is looking to offer upscale boutique-style concessions befitting the taste of the affluent borough residents. That means no McDonald’s!

Both terminals have new restrooms. Thankfully, there are now elevators and escalators to the lower level in St. George, where cars pick up and drop off riders. The only complaint I have about the new terminal is the lack of adequate seating, but Mr. Rose said I’d have to contact the Department of Transportation to inquire when to expect more benches. He also fielded to the DOT the question I had about the homeless situation, which used to create problems in the old terminals. I am still waiting for a response to both questions from that agency. I was never in favor of seceding from New York City, as so many Staten Islanders were. After all, I was born in Manhattan, and my love for that tiny isle is still there, but I have fallen in love with this island, which is just a little bit country, and you just can’t beat a commute that offers a glimpse of Lady Liberty in the harbor.