Hi, I'm Sandra
MY JOURNEY
Dear Friends and Neighbors of Abita Springs,
When I first moved to Abita Springs, I discovered more than a beautiful town—I found a true community. I found neighbors who care for one another, volunteers who step forward without being asked, and people who believe that together we can make our town an even better place.
Since then, I have been committed to giving back.
Whether organizing community litter cleanups, recycling events, and creating new gardens through Keep Abita Beautiful; helping oversee the Abita Springs Garden Club; raising scholarship funds through the Abita Springs Women’s Society; helping oversee St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 8 as a board member; serving as the Town’s liaison to St. Tammany Parish during emergencies and sharing timely weather and emergency updates during hurricanes, and severe weather, or simply lending a helping hand whenever needed, my purpose has always been the same—to serve the community that has given me so much.
Service has always been at the heart of who I am. Growing up in foster care, I was fortunate to have adults who believed in me and changed the course of my life. Their kindness taught me the importance of giving back, and that lesson has guided me ever since.
Being named Abita Springs Citizen of the Year was one of the greatest honors of my life—not because of the recognition itself, but because it reflected the values that make our town so special. Abita Springs has always been about neighbors working together for the good of our community.
Today, I am asking for your support as I seek the privilege of serving as your Mayor. I am not running for a title—I am running to continue serving the community I love. I believe local government should be open, honest, respectful, and responsive. It should listen first, work hard every day, and make thoughtful decisions that preserve the unique character of Abita Springs while preparing responsibly for the future.
Our town deserves leadership that brings people together rather than divides them. We can protect the charm and history that make Abita Springs unique while supporting thoughtful growth, maintaining our infrastructure, keeping our neighborhoods beautiful, and ensuring every resident has a voice in the decisions that shape our future.
I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I promise this: I will always listen. I will always work hard. And I will always put the interests of Abita Springs ahead of my own. Over the years, I have had the privilege of standing beside many of you—working to keep our town beautiful, volunteering at community events, supporting our firefighters, helping neighbors through difficult times, and serving our community whenever and wherever I was needed. Those experiences have reminded me time and again that what makes Abita Springs extraordinary is not our buildings or our streets—it is our people.
If you believe, as I do, that leadership begins with service, I would be honored to earn your trust, your support, and your vote.
Together, we can preserve everything that makes Abita Springs special while building an even stronger future for generations to come.
Thank you for your friendship, your encouragement, and the privilege of serving this wonderful community.
With sincere gratitude,
Sandra Slifer
PRIOR EXPERIENCE
PROVEN VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP
St. Tammany Fire District 8 Board Member/Co-Chair, 2016 – Current
Town of Abita Springs Emergency Operations Center Liaison, 2016 – Current
Keep Abita Beautiful, Board Member starting in 2018; President, 2021 – Current
Abita Springs Garden Club, President, 2022-2026
Abita Springs Women’s Society, Former Member
Tammany Together, Co-Founder and Board Member, 2007 - 2012
Women of Infinite Possibilities, President, 2011 – 2015
League of Women Voters of St. Tammany, Board Member, 1993-2013, President/Co-President, 1995 – 2013
League of Women Voters of Louisiana, Board Member, 2011 – 2015, President, 2013 – 2015
St. Tammany Office of Inspector General Task Force, Secretary
Appointed to various Commissions and Task Forces, 2000 – 2015
Active participant and attendee at hundreds of St. Tammany Parish Council and Zoning Commission meetings, Regular Attendance at Town of Abita Springs Town Council meetings
Key Priorities
Together, we can preserve the small-town character that makes Abita Springs so special while making thoughtful investments that strengthen our community, support our local businesses, protect taxpayer dollars, and prepare our town for the future. By working together—with residents, businesses, employees, and community partners—we can continue building on our successes while planning responsibly for the opportunities ahead.
Infrastructure Improvements
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Identify and prioritize critical infrastructure improvements.
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Pursue grants and other funding sources to improve streets, sidewalks, trails, utilities, parks, town facilities, and public gardens.
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Continue funding LAMP reserve accounts with surplus funds to support planned projects and emergency repairs.
Transparency & Communication
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Implement the Town's new communication system to provide text and email updates to residents and business owners.
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Use social media to keep the community informed during emergencies and important town events.
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Create more opportunities for residents and business owners to engage with the Mayor through community projects, neighborhood cleanups, volunteer events.
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Meet regularly with local business leaders, both individually and through a Business Council, to strengthen communication and collaboration.
Fiscal Responsibility
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Continue working with staff, accountants, auditors, aldermen, residents, and businesses to improve budgeting, financial reporting, and accountability.
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Maximize local, parish, and state resources while continuing to educate public officials and residents about effective municipal government.
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Review town operations to identify more efficient ways to use taxpayer resources, including time, equipment, supplies, and funding.
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Pursue partnerships with other government agencies whenever they improve services or reduce costs.
Appropriate Economic Development
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Support existing businesses by working with owners to identify opportunities for growth and expansion.
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Celebrate Abita Springs' unique history and culture while encouraging more visitors to experience our community.
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Strengthen partnerships with St. Tammany Economic Development, local entrepreneurs, and small business owners to attract appropriate new businesses.
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Work with Visit the Northshore, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, and local media to promote Abita Springs and our signature events.
Planning & Zoning
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Recognize that the Town's zoning code and comprehensive rezoning map are living documents that should be reviewed and updated as our community evolves.
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Encourage planning staff, elected officials, and appointed board members to participate in continuing education through conferences, seminars, and training.
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Increase transparency by highlighting proposed developments early in the process, encouraging public participation, and ensuring accurate information is shared with residents.
Intergovernmental Affairs
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Continue building strong relationships with elected officials, boards, commissions, regional partners, and community stakeholders to better serve Abita Springs.
CAMPAIGN MISSION
A Commitment to Our Community
As your Mayor, I will continue to lead with integrity, transparency, and common sense. I believe the best decisions are made by listening to our residents, respecting our history, planning responsibly for the future, and working together to solve problems.
My commitment is simple: to be accessible, accountable, and prepared. I will always put the interests of Abita Springs first, protect the unique character of our town, and work every day to make our community an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.
Together, we'll preserve what makes Abita Springs special while building a stronger future for generations to come.
