By LEONARD GRAY

I had the experience on Christmas Eve of sitting in on an informal conference involving a recent story of mine involving Little Hope Street in Garyville.

The story centered on some of the societal problems faced by residents, especially those either with children or having to deal with children in the neighborhood.

What came out in the paper was a view of Garyville which struck many residents as being too negative and not presenting a more balanced, more honest view of the community. For this, I offer my apology.

What developed from the Christmas Eve meeting was a better understanding, on both sides, of how and why the story developed and the direction to be taken in a forthcoming feature, centered on the positive side of Garyville and putting the spotlight on accomplishments, goals and inspirational people in the area.

At the same time, a determined, unified effort is being made from within the community to identify and address those same societal problems, especially by meeting with the area young people and finding out what they truly want and how the community and the parish can meet those needs.

What is hoped will result will be a more peaceful, more balanced community which will continue to strive for excellence with its collective eyes on a more promising future.

This is well-timed, as 2003 marks the centennial of Garyville’s establishment as a town. Nothing could better mark the town’s 100th birthday than a renewed commitment to excellence, achievement and a better community for all of Garyville.

LEONARD GRAY is assistant managing editor of L’Observateur. He can be reached at (985) 652-9545.