Wick CEO John Mathew shares Christmas cheer in Louisiana

Monday, December 26, 2005

Our prayers are with our employees, their families, our readersand customers in the area around New Orleans following the devastation caused byHurricane Katrina.

On December 19, I visited Bogalusa and enjoyed the Christmas potluck lunch with the employees there. Lou Major Sr. attended as well and was busyorganizing the "Care and Share" food for those less fortunate, a program hebegan in 1982.

I continue to be proud of and appreciative of our managers andour employees. J Kennon, group manager for Team Titanium and publisher inCovington and Bogalusa; Terry Maddox, publisher in Slidell; Kevin Chiri,publisher in La Place; Sandy Cunningham, general manager in Covington and John"J.W." Walker, general manager in Bogalusa, all have my utmost respect andappreciation.

Other employees deserve the same accolades for their hard workand positive attitudes.

Things in LaPlace are normal.

Bogalusa continues to publish three days a week until theeconomy recovers.

Slidell and Covington continue to publish twice a week.

It is our hope to return to daily publication in Bogalusa andwith the combined Slidell/Covington St. Tammany News as soon as ispractical.

This will be my final Hurricane Katrina update unlesscircumstances dictate.

John M. Mathew
President and CEO
john.mathew@pb8.ef5.myftpupload.com