NOVEMBER 2022

Inside the LMA
Director’s Viewpoint
THANKFUL. GRATEFUL. BLESSED
BY JOHN GALLAGHER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Happy November! Thanksgiving is
almost here, football is in full swing,
festival season abounds, and never
is Louisiana’s great outdoors a more
enjoyable place to be and to see.
Before I delve into my thoughts on being thankful, I’d like
to pause and honor the many men and women of our
military, who we’ll take time to recognize on November
11 for Veteran’s Day. So much sacrifice, dedication, and
unselfish giving seems a strange thing to recognize on
only one day a year, so I ask that this year you make a
pledge to yourselves. Honor them on Veteran’s Day, of
course, but in a world seeing more tumultuous times,
and all branches of our US military seeing more need
for service, I ask that you keep them with you always,
as they protect our democracy and our freedoms every
day. There is great honor in military service, so I ask that
we keep sending positivity and respect to those who put
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service above self in an effort to keep us all protected.
Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Let us remember that,
as much has been given us, much will be expected from
us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well
as from the lips and shows itself in deeds.” It is with
resounding thanks and admiration that I can see how
much action is put into the words of our municipal leaders.
I’ve been with the LMA a long time, so you’d think I’d
be used to impressive ways you all tackle problems, face
issues head-on, and turn dreams into realities. But I’m
still as amazed now at seeing the innovative, courageous,
and bold ways you each put words into practice. You are,
all of you, beacons of hope for so many in your communities.
I firmly believe you’re all doing Roosevelt proud.
I’m thankful this year for leaders like Mayor Camardelle
of Grand Isle who never seems to falter when faced
with adversity. I encourage you each to read the article
in this month’s edition that goes into detail on a serious
insurance issue the town is facing. It’s why the work
that RMI’s Patrick Cronin is doing is so valuable in attempting
to create our first Self-Insured Property Fund
that could aid communities struggling with unexpected
needs. I’m grateful for his efforts, and those of our LMA
President, Mayor Jennifer Vidrine, as she’s been behind
the scenes, making calls and attempting to find ways to
assist Mayor Camardelle.
I’m thankful for men like LMA Past President Pete
Heine, a man I call not just a colleague, but a friend. We
highlight him this month, as we recently unveiled our
boardroom in his honor. He’s had an incredible life and
made a name as a man willing to focus on people rather
than his own recognition. I know he’s a role model for
many of us within the LMA family.
And I am most thankful for my wife Camille, my family,
and my friends. They make me a better man with the
passing of every day. And then there’s all of you. I am
proud to advocate on your behalf and to work with you
as Louisiana moves forward. There is always work to be
done, but your willingness to do that work is a motivation
like no other. I look forward to the continuation
of that work as we face whatever lies ahead, and I am
thankful, grateful, and blessed for the opportunity to
do so.
We are a family, and I give thanks for that. Together we
are #LMAStrong.
LMR | NOVEMBER 2022 Page 3