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LIFE ON THE SILVER WATER

Welcome to my blog, "Life on the Silver Water." My name is Tom Malmay, Jr. I hail from West Monroe, Louisiana. Located in Northeast Louisiana, Ouachita Parish is named after the Ouachita Indians who held the area when it was first discovered and ex­plored. The major Indian tribes that lived along the Ouachita River were the Washita, Caddo, Osage, Tensas, Chickasaw and Choctaw. Time brought about a great change to their primitive world as the white settlers moved into the Ouachita Valley. The word "Washita", today known as "Ouachita", is an Indian word meaning..."River of good hunting grounds...and sparkling silver water." I have opted for "Silver Water." If you live here its obvious why. There are many days the water sparkles and takes on a silver color. But its true, the hunting and fishing are awesome here. Sources: The Ouachita River Foundation and The Ouachita Parish Police Jury.

Like a wild animal that can't be tamed, we hold the river accountable for its winter - spring behavior. We are still learning how to live with the river. The Great Flood of 2016 brought change to the region. The post flood period will be remembered as the "Renaissance Years." Despite the flood, pandemic, tornadoes and hurricanes, private and public investment in the community continues. Technology took hold in most business sectors, the political landscape changed, the community has never been cleaner, all-hazard mitigation is now institutionalized and the City of West Monroe saved the Sparta Aquifer. That's a lot of progress.

The art scene literally exploded after the flood with Heron's on the Bayou, murals, Downtown Art Crawl and live music. A beautiful blend of art and business is developing. We look very attractive to the growing remote workforce and a cool place to visit. No better indicator of resiliency. No better path forward for prosperity for all.

CATAHOULA PARISH RISING

Last week Ellis Boothe, Catahoula Parish Homeland Security sent me an article from the Catahoula News Booster called "Ouachita Journey" By John Ed Bartmess. I have already found a couple of items I will research. Thank you, Ellis.