Now that his

place in office is assured for another two years, state Sen. Greg Hecht

is looking to the future.

"One of

the first things I want to work on this year is trying to help with some

of the senior services in Fayette County," said Hecht following last

week's election victory over challenger Bryan Hilton.

Local advocates

for seniors are working to fund a new senior center near the planned new

Fayette County Courthouse, and Fayette Senior Services also has had some

trouble with the state's role in transportation for seniors.

"I've

talked with Andy Carden [FSS director] about some of that work that needs

to be done," he said.

In addition

to finding help for the senior services, Hecht said he will continue to

push for property tax relief.

Hecht, a Democrat,

took 31,754 votes to hilton's 19,703 in the 34th District, which includes

parts of Fayette, south Fulton, Douglas and Clayton counties. And the

vote in heavily Republican Fayette was close: 9,334 for Hilton, 8,225

for Hecht.

"I'm very

happy about it," Hecht said of the Fayette tally. "We vote for

the person, and the votes were very encouraging," he said, adding

he believes Fayette voters responded to his record in tax cuts, tough

crime legislation and his background as an assistant district attorney

and business owner.

"I was

very appreciative of all my friends who volunteered for the campaign,"

he added. "We worked real hard.

"Hopefully

the 62-38 [percent] outcome was a strong showing that people appreciate

the hard work we do together," he added.

Hecht congratulated

another member of the Fayette delegation, state Rep. Lynn Westmoreland

of Senoia, who Monday was named House minority leader.

"Lynn

and I work great together," he said, "and I look forward to

working with him" in his new capacity.