This year has been a great one for Lafourche Parish. After Hurricane Gustav forced us out of the Barrios Building, we have found a new home in the Mathews Government Complex. For the second year in a row, we received an unqualified audit opinion with no findings in our annual financial statement. We were also awarded nearly $40 million in federal and state grants which will help considerably as we move Lafourche forward.

We are all thankful that the 2009 hurricane season did not bring any major storms to our area, but the threat of Ida in November was a reminder that we always need to be prepared.

As we look forward to 2010, Lafourche Parish Government will see some changes. We will welcome in new department heads in Public Works and Parks, Recreation & Public Facilities that will give new direction to departments already hard at work. All our departments, in fact, will rely on steady leadership as we strive to maintain and improve our public services in the future.

I encourage all of our residents to shop locally this holiday season so that you can make sure your tax dollars stay local. I also encourage you to take the holidays as a time to be with family and to give thanks for the things you do have. I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.