Jefferson Parish officials said Wednesday they are optimistic for the Greater New Orleans area's future under the leadership of New Orleans Mayor-Elect Helena Moreno, even as both parishes confront major financial issues.

At the annual State of Jefferson luncheon hosted annually by the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce in the Alario Center, Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng and Council Chair Scott Walker outlined Jefferson's challenges and opportunities — including Moreno's election and issues in the Jefferson finance and permitting departments.

"I think this will be the best relationship between New Orleans and Jefferson Parish that we have seen in a long, long time," said Walker, a former broadcast journalist who joined WDSU-TV shortly after Moreno's departure in 2008.

Ruth Lawson, exe

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