Matthew Bennett
February 24, 2017
Chopper crashes in Terrebonne
February 27, 2017
The word “progress” is a noun, defined by Webster’s as “a royal journey marked by pomp and pageant … a state procession or a tour or circuit made by an official (as a judge),” also “an expedition, journey, or march through a region.”
The second definition is “a forward or onward movement as to an objective or to a goal” or “an advance.”
This issue’s special section is titled “Progress” and as such, the second definition is what applies. Or does it?
Looking back over our history here in the Bayou Region, the first definition could just as well apply in some instances.
With all of the Carnival season celebrations and parades we offer, certainly there is no shortage of royalty, after all.
But yes, we indeed are talking about a forward or onward movement toward an objective or goal. If we agree with that, it would make sense to figure out what goal we mean. And the goals for our region are multiple.
Primary among them, it would appear, is the goal of keeping enough land beneath our feet to allow for all to work, recreate and prosper. In this respect, as several articles show, we are making progress, even if not perfection. The people of Terrebonne Parish, in allowing themselves to be taxed, allowed for much work to be done on the Morganza to the Gulf alignment. To the credit of Tony Alford and the rest of the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District board, as well as the tireless Reggie Dupre, that goal is coming closer to a reality.
We are – although in many cases not obviously – making infrastructure improvements that will help move us through this century, with new roads that will eventually carry traffic that will pass by new businesses and homes, increasing our economic potential.
All of this work continues even though we have experienced great setbacks.
For people who have lost their jobs due to the downturn in the oilfield, all this talk of progress might have a bitter aftertaste. It’s hard to celebrate an extension of Hollywood Road if the car you would be driving on it is on the brink of being repossessed. It’s hard to be happy about a home that will be safe from flood while it is currently at risk of being seized by the bank or mortgage company. For each step of progress, then it is easy and indeed understandable for some to shake their heads and say that none of it applies to them.
But progress isn’t just measured by things that are tangible. There are other ways to measure progress that sometimes just prove our stubborn ability to withstand adversity. And in this sense, we are indeed enmeshed in progress, in the procession toward the future, holding our heads high as if we were all indeed royalty.
The joy we experience from the aroma of boiling crawfish on a Good Friday afternoon, the childish delight people of all ages can experience by catching the one coveted Carnival float trinket, the affirmation that we have done right by our children because we see the proof of their goodness in their school grades. These are things that mark progress too, in each individual household.
As we move forward through this year we can hope as well that progress will be made in other areas, such as seeing to it that our state is able to care for the needy and the newly unemployed. If we keep our spirits pointed in a direction that is positive, if we look for fortune not just for ourselves but our neighbors, then progress can truly be made.
