In other business, during Monday night's December 22 parish council meeting Councilman Buddy Ridgel announced that drop offs for Christmas tree recycling starts Friday, December 26 and continues through Tuesday, January 14 at five locations around the parish to help control erosion and restore wetlands.

Southeastern Louisiana University's Marsh Restoration Project uses our Christmas trees to build up sediment and reduce erosion at Jones Island in the Pass Manchac area. The trees help establish and preserve animal habitats and preserve breeding ground for seafood.

Drop off sites include Hammond Recycling Center, across from the vocational college; Ponchatoula Maintenance Facility, behind the community center; Waste Management Office in Tickfaw behind the Chevron station; Parish Landfill in Independence and the Kentwood Rotary Club between Verges Dental Clinic and People's Bank. "Only real trees will be accepted and they should be stripped of all ornaments, tinsel and lights," Councilman Ridgel explained.