Between a long Christmas weekend and the New Year’s holiday lies one short work week. And maybe it’s all that leftover turkey, but local government has slowed its pace to watch the year end quietly.

Most government offices were closed Tuesday and many are short-staffed through the rest of the week as employees take advantage of remaining vacation days.

Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland, who took the week off to spend time with family, said it is normal for every level of government to slow down this time of year, from city hall to the White House.

&uot;It’s just the rule of thumb in the political arena,&uot; he said. &uot;Between Christmas and New Year’s not much happens.&uot;

After the break, Hyram said employees and elected officials will be ready to come back to work &uot;rejuvenated&uot; for a busy January.

Ferriday Mayor Glen McGlothin said he refers to the last week of the year as &uot;catch-your-breath week.&uot;

&uot;Because you know after the first of the year, things are going to be busy,&uot; he said.

Adams County Board of Supervisors President Virginia Salmon agreed with McGlothin that a quiet year-end means good news.

&uot;There are no crises, no problems that need to be taken care of and we can begin to sort things out for next year,&uot; she said.

Like others, Salmon said she had been in and out of the office, conducting any last-minute business over the telephone.

&uot;We were so busy with obligations right up until Christmas Eve,&uot; she said. &uot;We try not to miss a beat.&uot;

Natchez Mayor F.L. &uot;Hank&uot;&160;Smith is also taking vacation time this week and will return to the office Tuesday, said secretary Deloris Vines.

&uot;It’s been very quiet,&uot; she said. &uot;A lot of people are taking their vacation this week.&uot;

Vines also said the slow-down happens each year, &uot;but I’m sure things are going to gear up pretty quick.&uot;

Walter Tipton, Natchez Tourism director, said his reduced staff was made even smaller this week by a cold outbreak.

&uot;Even though we’re supposed to be doing some work, most people have taken off sick,&uot; he said.

Tipton said the Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau normally uses the holiday downtime to plan for next year’s events.

&uot;We had a lot of events over the holidays, so we’re trying to get over them,&uot; he said.

While government offices take a breather, emergency services continue their never-ending routine.

But even at Natchez Fire Department, things are slow, said Firefighter David Hugg.

&uot;We haven’t had many calls,&uot; he said. &uot;But that’s usual for this time of year.&uot;

Not so at Natchez Regional Medical Center, said Kit Hightower, admitting supervisor.

&uot;That’s the way it is (around the holidays),&uot; she said. &uot;A lot of the doctor’s offices are closed, so it puts an added strain on the emergency department.&uot;