St. Tammany News

A lot of people working for the city of Slidell are breathing a huge sigh of relief now that 2006 is almost over.

It's been a rough year for them, dealing with rebuilding a community, working out of a collection of trailers and coping with their own losses due to Hurricane Katrina. So it would seem that these hard-working people would be ready to make some New Year's resolutions to improve their own lives and those of the residents they serve.

Judging from an unscientific survey of Slidell City Hall employees, resolutions for 2007 seem to be few and far between. When asked, most of the employees said that they have been so busy trying to keep the city together for the past year they haven't even had time to sit down and really think about resolutions for 2007.

Tim Mathison, city attorney, gave a typical response to the question of resolutions.

"I'll have to think about it, and give you a call," said Mathison.

New Year's resolutions have a long tradition here in the United States, followed by another tradition - resolutions never being followed. That spurred Slidell Director of Finance Sharon Howes to just forget about the tradition.

"I just don't make new year resolutions anymore," said Howes.

That was a sentiment echoed by Jennifer Drennan over at the Department of Parks and Recreation.

"My resolution is to not make resolutions," said Drennan. "I don't want to disappoint myself."

For those that are making resolutions for 2007, the common theme seemed to be self-improvement.

City Council Administrative Assistant Wanda Beelman said that she has joined a gym and wants to stay in shape for the next year.

Mary Reyes, executive assistant to Mayor Ben Morris, said she also would be returning to the gym to get back into shape.

"My resolution is to take care of myself," said Reyes, who finally got to move back into her renovated house after living in a trailer during the past year.

City planner Nancy Durham said she was going stop drinking soft drinks in 2007.

"They have too much carbonation and are too acidic," said Durham.

There were those employees that had loftier resolutions that had to do with the city.

John Cramer, a building inspector with the Department of Building Safety and Permits, has resolved to improve himself for the sake of Slidell residents.

"I want to be a better person so I can accommodate everybody that comes in here," said Cramer.

His boss, Assistant Building Official Eric Giroir, was also resolved to improving his department.

"We want to enhance our services and accommodate the public, and welcome the new developers," said Giroir.

He said that with the rebuilding of Slidell after Katrina, the work for his department is piling up with new housing and developments, and there is room for improvement.

"We're just trying to keep up with the new projects. There has not been any decrease, and plenty of work lies ahead," said Giroir.

Still, despite all the hard work, tragedy and loss over the past year, city employees should take a cue from Kendra Hammich-Ezell, who works for the Slidell Chamber of Commerce.

"I resolve to try and live day to day," said Hammich-Ezell.

Jo Beth Kavanaugh, communications coordinator for the Slidell Chamber of Commerce, had a much lighter take on New Year's resolutions.

"Worry less and play a lot more," said Kavanaugh. "It's time to have some fun."