Changes

Smith worked to attract new businesses and industries to locate in Arcadia. His nephew, Christopher "Chris" Smith, son of Ray Dean Smith, was the Arcadia development director. <ref name=ghilburn/> In his first mayoral campaign, Smith used the slogan "Watch Arcadia Grow." He considered the building of the Arcadia Events Center as his greatest achievement in office. He also supervised the refurbishing of the Arcadia Outlet Mall, which the town of Arcadia purchased.

Smith worked to attract new businesses and industries to locate in Arcadia. His nephew, Christopher "Chris" Smith, son of Ray Dean Smith, was the Arcadia development director. <ref name=ghilburn/> In his first mayoral campaign, Smith used the slogan "Watch Arcadia Grow." He considered the building of the Arcadia Events Center as his greatest achievement in office. He also supervised the refurbishing of the Arcadia Outlet Mall, which the town of Arcadia purchased.

Smith died in a [[Shreveport]] hospital of complictions from a lung infection. He was just over a month shy of his 85th birthday.<ref name=ghilburn/> His services were to be held on April 29, 2018, at the Arcadia Events Center.

Smith died in a [[Shreveport]] hospital of complictions from a lung infection. He was just over a month shy of his 85th birthday.<ref name=ghilburn/> His services were held on April 29, 2018, at the Arcadia Events Center.

State Representative Patrick Jefferson, an [[African-American]] Democrat, was hired by Smith as the first black attorney for the town after Jefferson fled [[New Orleans]] for Arcadia during [[Hurricane Katrina]]. Jefferson recalled that "Everybody knew Eugene Smith. He had the kind of personality that made you think he'll be around forever. He mastered the art of being a public service. His death leaves a huge void."<ref name=ghilburn>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2018/04/23/arcadia-mayor-eugene-smith-gravely-ill/543249002/|title=Arcadia Mayor Eugene Smith dies|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=April 23, 2018|accessdate=April 28, 2018}}</ref>

State Representative Patrick Jefferson, an [[African-American]] Democrat, was hired by Smith as the first black attorney for the town after Jefferson fled [[New Orleans]] for Arcadia during [[Hurricane Katrina]]. Jefferson recalled that "Everybody knew Eugene Smith. He had the kind of personality that made you think he'll be around forever. He mastered the art of being a public service. His death leaves a huge void."<ref name=ghilburn>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2018/04/23/arcadia-mayor-eugene-smith-gravely-ill/543249002/|title=Arcadia Mayor Eugene Smith dies|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=April 23, 2018|accessdate=April 28, 2018}}</ref>