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> |