By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

RESERVE – In a brief visit to St. John the Baptist Parish Tuesday morning, U.S. Sen. David Vitter was well received by assorted government and business leaders from throughout the River Region.

The River Region Chamber of Commerce organized the hour-long meet and greet with the Republican senator, who touched on a variety of local and national topics. More than two-dozen people filled a reception room at the South Central Louisiana Technical College’s Reserve campus.

Vitter spoke about putting an end to overspending in Washington and his efforts in Congress to implement measures to balance the budget, curb debt and adjust taxes for all brackets. He also addressed several benefits for Louisiana coming out of the federal Highway Bill, including his push to keep the RESTORE and RAMP acts as part of the legislation.

The second half of the meeting was dominated by questions from the audience, which focused on taxes, healthcare cuts, Social Security and assorted local issues like levee protection. Vitter said many of the answers hinged on the results of November’s election.

“The election results on Nov. 6 will go a long way toward determining what we will able to do,” Vitter said. “Republicans will likely maintain a hold on the House. If there is a sweep in the Senate and in the presidency, many things could happen.”

Following the meeting, many in the audience seemed pleased by what the senator had to say.

“I have heard Sen. Vitter speak numerous times, and he always seems to take this region seriously,” said LaPlace resident Sandy Simmons. “He is keeping our interests at the forefront.”

Donald Fournet, a resident of Lutcher, said he was pleased to hear what Vitter said about getting a handle government spending.

“The ever growing debt in this country is the next economic crisis,” Fournet said. “I’m glad he is concerned about another downgrade of our credit.”