By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE — Parish President Nickie Monica has a positive outlook for 2006, and a plan to start taking action is in place for current projects.

Monica said during the first six years of being parish president, St. John Parish has experienced tremendous growth.

&#8220Next to the petrol industry, our home building is the second largest industry,” Monica said. &#8220We want any new development, this year to have a positive impact on the community. We want to do what we can to make it better for everybody.”

Monica said he wants to take a &#8220pre-Katrina” outlook on this year, so that the parish can get back to where

they were before the hurricane came.

&#8220Our goals this year are about taking action,” he said. &#8220We have things that have been talked about again and again, now is the time to do something about it. We want to move forward with hurricane protection, a long-term solution to the sewer problems, bring the Reserve I-10 interchange back to the table and improving the parish drinking water.”

Monica said the community of St. John Parish have been very understanding and supportive over the past years, and knows they will continue their support.

&#8220St. John is a great location for all the projects we are planning, and finishing,” he said. &#8220If we can work together, we will always have a brighter, better day to look forward to.”