Teche Area resolutions goal for new year

Getting in shape, quitting smoking, eating healthier — they’re all New Year’s resolutions people make and break, but maybe it will be different for them in 2008.

It’s less than two days until the new year. What are people in the Teche Area hoping to change? The Daily Iberian hit the streets to find out.

The most popular New Year’s resolution is weight loss, according to surveys done every year. But, New Iberia native and Metairie resident Jackie Watkins Kadden had something else on her mind.

“I am re-organizing my attic,” Kadden said as she was walking with family members down Main Street in New Iberia Saturday afternoon. “We just moved everything up there. I’m an organizational buff. I have bins, label machines and a notebook. I will find anything I own.”

Phyllis Tate, owner of The Rose Garden in New Iberia, said she was focusing on spiritual growth for the new year.

“To get more Word,” she said. “Spend more time with God, more intimate time.”

Joe Kolb, an employee with Gulf Coast Cabinets in Lafayette, was working Saturday on the new Hibachi grill that’s being put in at Bojangles in New Iberia. His resolution is to enjoy life more.

“Not work as hard, not chase the dollar as much,” Kolb said. “Because tomorrow might not come.”

And, Vee Prasith, executive chef at Bojangles who was walking into work, didn’t have a resolution right away, but it didn’t take him long to realize what he would like to change about himself.

“Lose some weight, I guess. Start working out,” Prasith said.

While resolutions are usually personal, some people have hopes for the new year that could affect us all.

Senator-elect Troy Hebert will be representing District 22. He said if he had to change one thing in 2008, it would be our roads.

“Hopefully, we can adopt a long-range comprehensive road-rebuilding program for the state,” Hebert said. “Not just year to year, but a long range plan.”

As far as what he would like to change personally, Hebert said he would like to change his diet.

“Eat less boudin,” he said jokingly.

Representative-elect Simone Champagne, who will be representing District 49, which will be Hebert’s former district, said she hopes people in her district will be able to work together “to grow a strong economy and embrace opportunities.”

On a personal note, Champagne said her focus will be on family.

“I will continue to make Sundays, family day, and have my entire immediate family over for a good home-cooked meal,” she said.

New Iberia Mayor Hilda Curry said she hopes to eat right and exercise more often in 2008. And, for the city, she hopes to continue to develop relationships.

“I will work toward providing a better quality of life and a healthy atmosphere for growth and economic development by working closely with the City Council,” Curry said.