Greetings and Happy New Year! As we pause to look back on 2024, I stand in awe of our community’s efforts, and I am so very proud of us all. I thank each and every one of you for your commitment, your friendship and your bravery.
From our humble grass roots beginnings as strangers with common concerns, we joined together and formed the Old Jefferson Community Association. We listened to one another, we debated, compromised and stood strong in what we felt was best for our neighborhood and our shared community. We signed petitions, placed signage in our yards, canvassed streets to pass out fliers, attended meetings around our dining room tables, and even had some pretty snazzy t-shirts created!
United, we stood up to a multi-million-dollar corporation and made ourselves heard. United, we appeared before our parish governing body and said, “Enough is enough.” United, we were instrumental in Ochsner Foundation’s decision to no longer purchase residential properties in our neighborhoods; we stopped their encroachment. We were also successful in our drive to save 100-year-old oaks that were in danger of destruction.
As 2025 dawns, we remain committed to continuing to protect the existence of our homes in our safe, quiet, community. Our neighborhood association has proven to be that ‘just right’ level of engagement — large enough to take us outside of our individual concerns but small enough to really get to know people and tackle issues head on with government officials.
In closing, I urge you to ask yourself this, “If I could influence or change one thing about my community in 2025, what would it be?” Come on out to our January 16, 2025 meeting from 6-8 pm at Jefferson Senior Center, 4518 Jefferson Highway, Jefferson (the pink building) and share all your great ideas for a great year!
Renee Wright Brayden
OJCA President