GONZALES - Kenny Matassa has a lot to be grateful for at the beginning of 2016.

Matassa was sworn in as president of Ascension Parish Monday, alongside the new and returning members of the parish council. In attendance for the swearing-in was his son Nick Matassa, who was badly burned in a Sept. 3 fire at the REG plant in Geismar.

Also in attendance for the ceremony was former governor Edwin Edwards, who lives in Ascension Parish, and 6th District Congressman Garret Graves.

Matassa said he and other leaders for the parish had a lot of work to tackle. Voters in the fast-growing parish turned back three attempts to raise taxes which were aimed improving roads, expanding fire service and adding recreation options. During his campaign Matassa said he would work to find solutions which didn't require raising taxes.