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Created page with "{{Infobox officeholder | name=Joseph Michael "Joe" Sampite' | image= | nationality=United States|American]] | office= Mayor of Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchi..."
{{Infobox officeholder
| name=Joseph Michael "Joe" Sampite'
| image=
| nationality=United States|American]]
| office= [[Mayor]] of [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]]<br>
[[Louisiana]], USA
| party=[[Democratic Party |Democrat]]
| term_start=1980
| term_end=2000
| preceded=Robert DeBlieux
| succeeded=Wayne McCullen
| birth_date=January 22, 1931
| death_date=May 18, 2012 (aged 81)
| birth_place=[[New Orleans]], Louisiana
| death_place=Natchitoches, Louisiana
| resting_place=Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, Louisiana
| alma_mater=[[Northwestern State University]]
| occupation=[[Educator]]
| spouse=Widower of Hazel Barnes Sampite'
| children=Sharon Elizabeth Sampite' (deceased)<br>
Chris Sampite'<br>
Sheila Sampite' Hardin<br>
Michaela Marie Sampite'
| religion=[[Roman Catholic]]
| branch=[[United States Air Force]]
| footnotes=
}}
'''Joseph Michael Sampite'''', known as '''Joe Sampite'''' (January 22, 1931 – May 18, 2012), was a [[Louisiana]] politician known for promotion of his adopted hometown of [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]], of which he served as the [[mayor]] from 1980 to 2000.
==Political career==
A colorful figure, Sampite' (pronounced SAM PUH TAH) wore white socks, a habit begun during his early days as a coach. He distributed "I Love Natchitoches" stickers by the thousands during his twenty years in municipal office and was instrumental in bringing the filming to Natchitoches of [[Dolly Parton]]'s ''Steel Magnolias''.<ref name=obit/> Coincidentally, the year that Sampite graduated from [[Northwestern State University]], another picture was filmed in Natchitoches, [[John Wayne]]'s ''The Horse Soldiers''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.natchitochestour.com/stars.htm|title=Personalities Along the Cane|publisher=natchitochestour.com|accessdate=May 20, 2012|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116205027/http://www.natchitochestour.com/stars.htm|archivedate=November 16, 2012|df=}}</ref>
In his first election as mayor in 1980, Sampite', a native of [[New Orleans]], unseated the one-term incumbent Robert DeBlieux. As mayor, he expanded the city's fire and police departments and recreation program and directed major improvements in infrastructure and the Natchitoches airport.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-sampite&pid=157691111|title=Joe Sampite obituary|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>
As the president of the Louisiana Municipal Association from 1986 to 1987, he was the first recipient of that organization's President's Award. At the turn of the 21st century, ''The Shreveport Times''' named Sampite among its "Top 100 Influential People in Northwest Louisiana." In 2000, he was inducted into the Northwestern State University Hall of Distinction, or Long Purple Line, the highest designation for alumni.<ref name=obit/> In 2002, he was named to the [[Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame]] in [[Winnfield, Louisiana|Winnfield]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lapoliticalmuseum.com/inductees.php|title=Political Hall of Fame|publisher=lapoliticalmuseum.com|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>
Mayor Sampite' was profiled in ''[[The Oxford American]]'' literary [[magazine]] in an article entitled "No Ordinary Joe." He received numerous other honors, including "Man of the Year" awards from the Natchitoches Parish [[Chamber of Commerce]], Natchitoches Junior Chamber International, and the Louisiana Parks and Recreation Association. He was a member of the [[American Legion]], the Founders of Natchitoches, and the [[Roman Catholic]] men's organization, the [[Knights of Columbus]].<ref name=obit/>
A [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], Sampite' did not seek reelection to a sixth term in the municipal election held in the spring of 2000. Two Democrats competed in ta runoff election held on April 15 for the right to succeed Sampite'. Then city council member at-large and current mayor, Wayne McCullen, narrowly defeated John Winston, 3,votes (50.3 percent) to 2,962 (49.7 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/04152000/04152000_35.html|title=Natchitoches Parish election results, April 15, 2000|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>'
Sampite' sought a political comeback in the fall of 2007, but he was defeated in a competitive campaign by the [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Rick Nowlin]], a Natchitoches businessman, for the District 23 seat (then Natchitoches Winn parishes) in the Louisiana House of Representatives. Nowlin polled 4,609 votes (55 percent) in the [[general election]] to Sampite's 3,766 (45 percent)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11172007/11172007_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana general election returns, November 17, 2007|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref> In the primary on October 20, Nowlin led a four-candidate field with 4,849 votes (35 percent) to Sampite's 4,598 (33 percent). Two other Democrats, Ralph Wilson and Mack James, polled 2,847 (21 percent) and 1,459 (11 percent), respectively. Hence, Nowlin and Sampite' were thrust into the general election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10202007/Default.html|title=Primary election returns, October 20, 2007|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref> After one term, Nowlin was defeated for reelection to the House. He is now the first president of the Natchitoches combined municipal and parish governments.
==Legacy==
Sampite' died in Natchitoches at the age of eighty-one. His services were held on May 22, 2012, at his home church, the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Natchitoches, with interment at Memory Lawn Cemetery.<ref name=obit/>
Sampite' was preceded in death by his wife, the former Hazel Barnes, and a daughter, Sharon Elizabeth Sampite'. He was survived by a son, Chris Sampite' and wife Daphne Gray Sampite'; two daughters, Sheila Sampite' Hardin and her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Alan Hardin, and Michaela Marie Sampite'; two sisters, Sally S. Logan of [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] and Marielise Sampite' Brosset of Cloutierville; a brother, A. J. Sampite', Jr., of Hemet, [[California]], and six grandchildren.<ref name=obit/>
Mayor Wayne McCullen issued this statement on his predecessor's death:
"It is certainly a sad day for the citizens of Natchitoches and the state of Louisiana. Natchitoches has lost an icon with the passing of Mayor Joe Sampite'. He touched so many lives through his years of coaching and twenty years as mayor ... He was a mentor of mine as I served with him while I was city councilman at large. Our prayers certainly go out to his family. Mayor Sampite's legacy will live on forever in Natchitoches."<ref name=adtt>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20120518/NEWS01/120518020/Former-Natchitoches-Mayor-Joe-Sampite-dies|title=Former Natchitoches Mayor Joe Sampite' dies|publisher=''The Alexandria Daily Town Talk'', May 18, 2012|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>
David West, the Northwestern State University news bureau director in 2012, described Sampite' as "a tireless advocate for Natchitoches and NSU. He loved NSU a lot. He was always available to speak to freshmen at our Freshman Connection and was a commencement speaker at one of our graduations. Mayor Sampite' was one of a kind."<ref name=adtt/> A "Joe Sampite' Scholarship Fund was established at the Northwestern State University Foundation.<ref name=obit/>
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sampite', Joe}}
[[Category:Louisiana People]]
[[Category:Politicians]]
[[Category:Mayors]]
[[Category:Educators]]
[[Category:Catholics]]
[[Category:Democrats]]
[[Category:United States Air Force]]
| name=Joseph Michael "Joe" Sampite'
| image=
| nationality=United States|American]]
| office= [[Mayor]] of [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]]<br>
[[Louisiana]], USA
| party=[[Democratic Party |Democrat]]
| term_start=1980
| term_end=2000
| preceded=Robert DeBlieux
| succeeded=Wayne McCullen
| birth_date=January 22, 1931
| death_date=May 18, 2012 (aged 81)
| birth_place=[[New Orleans]], Louisiana
| death_place=Natchitoches, Louisiana
| resting_place=Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, Louisiana
| alma_mater=[[Northwestern State University]]
| occupation=[[Educator]]
| spouse=Widower of Hazel Barnes Sampite'
| children=Sharon Elizabeth Sampite' (deceased)<br>
Chris Sampite'<br>
Sheila Sampite' Hardin<br>
Michaela Marie Sampite'
| religion=[[Roman Catholic]]
| branch=[[United States Air Force]]
| footnotes=
}}
'''Joseph Michael Sampite'''', known as '''Joe Sampite'''' (January 22, 1931 – May 18, 2012), was a [[Louisiana]] politician known for promotion of his adopted hometown of [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]], of which he served as the [[mayor]] from 1980 to 2000.
==Political career==
A colorful figure, Sampite' (pronounced SAM PUH TAH) wore white socks, a habit begun during his early days as a coach. He distributed "I Love Natchitoches" stickers by the thousands during his twenty years in municipal office and was instrumental in bringing the filming to Natchitoches of [[Dolly Parton]]'s ''Steel Magnolias''.<ref name=obit/> Coincidentally, the year that Sampite graduated from [[Northwestern State University]], another picture was filmed in Natchitoches, [[John Wayne]]'s ''The Horse Soldiers''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.natchitochestour.com/stars.htm|title=Personalities Along the Cane|publisher=natchitochestour.com|accessdate=May 20, 2012|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116205027/http://www.natchitochestour.com/stars.htm|archivedate=November 16, 2012|df=}}</ref>
In his first election as mayor in 1980, Sampite', a native of [[New Orleans]], unseated the one-term incumbent Robert DeBlieux. As mayor, he expanded the city's fire and police departments and recreation program and directed major improvements in infrastructure and the Natchitoches airport.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-sampite&pid=157691111|title=Joe Sampite obituary|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>
As the president of the Louisiana Municipal Association from 1986 to 1987, he was the first recipient of that organization's President's Award. At the turn of the 21st century, ''The Shreveport Times''' named Sampite among its "Top 100 Influential People in Northwest Louisiana." In 2000, he was inducted into the Northwestern State University Hall of Distinction, or Long Purple Line, the highest designation for alumni.<ref name=obit/> In 2002, he was named to the [[Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame]] in [[Winnfield, Louisiana|Winnfield]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lapoliticalmuseum.com/inductees.php|title=Political Hall of Fame|publisher=lapoliticalmuseum.com|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>
Mayor Sampite' was profiled in ''[[The Oxford American]]'' literary [[magazine]] in an article entitled "No Ordinary Joe." He received numerous other honors, including "Man of the Year" awards from the Natchitoches Parish [[Chamber of Commerce]], Natchitoches Junior Chamber International, and the Louisiana Parks and Recreation Association. He was a member of the [[American Legion]], the Founders of Natchitoches, and the [[Roman Catholic]] men's organization, the [[Knights of Columbus]].<ref name=obit/>
A [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], Sampite' did not seek reelection to a sixth term in the municipal election held in the spring of 2000. Two Democrats competed in ta runoff election held on April 15 for the right to succeed Sampite'. Then city council member at-large and current mayor, Wayne McCullen, narrowly defeated John Winston, 3,votes (50.3 percent) to 2,962 (49.7 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/04152000/04152000_35.html|title=Natchitoches Parish election results, April 15, 2000|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>'
Sampite' sought a political comeback in the fall of 2007, but he was defeated in a competitive campaign by the [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Rick Nowlin]], a Natchitoches businessman, for the District 23 seat (then Natchitoches Winn parishes) in the Louisiana House of Representatives. Nowlin polled 4,609 votes (55 percent) in the [[general election]] to Sampite's 3,766 (45 percent)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11172007/11172007_Legislative.html|title=Louisiana general election returns, November 17, 2007|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref> In the primary on October 20, Nowlin led a four-candidate field with 4,849 votes (35 percent) to Sampite's 4,598 (33 percent). Two other Democrats, Ralph Wilson and Mack James, polled 2,847 (21 percent) and 1,459 (11 percent), respectively. Hence, Nowlin and Sampite' were thrust into the general election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10202007/Default.html|title=Primary election returns, October 20, 2007|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref> After one term, Nowlin was defeated for reelection to the House. He is now the first president of the Natchitoches combined municipal and parish governments.
==Legacy==
Sampite' died in Natchitoches at the age of eighty-one. His services were held on May 22, 2012, at his home church, the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Natchitoches, with interment at Memory Lawn Cemetery.<ref name=obit/>
Sampite' was preceded in death by his wife, the former Hazel Barnes, and a daughter, Sharon Elizabeth Sampite'. He was survived by a son, Chris Sampite' and wife Daphne Gray Sampite'; two daughters, Sheila Sampite' Hardin and her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Alan Hardin, and Michaela Marie Sampite'; two sisters, Sally S. Logan of [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] and Marielise Sampite' Brosset of Cloutierville; a brother, A. J. Sampite', Jr., of Hemet, [[California]], and six grandchildren.<ref name=obit/>
Mayor Wayne McCullen issued this statement on his predecessor's death:
"It is certainly a sad day for the citizens of Natchitoches and the state of Louisiana. Natchitoches has lost an icon with the passing of Mayor Joe Sampite'. He touched so many lives through his years of coaching and twenty years as mayor ... He was a mentor of mine as I served with him while I was city councilman at large. Our prayers certainly go out to his family. Mayor Sampite's legacy will live on forever in Natchitoches."<ref name=adtt>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20120518/NEWS01/120518020/Former-Natchitoches-Mayor-Joe-Sampite-dies|title=Former Natchitoches Mayor Joe Sampite' dies|publisher=''The Alexandria Daily Town Talk'', May 18, 2012|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>
David West, the Northwestern State University news bureau director in 2012, described Sampite' as "a tireless advocate for Natchitoches and NSU. He loved NSU a lot. He was always available to speak to freshmen at our Freshman Connection and was a commencement speaker at one of our graduations. Mayor Sampite' was one of a kind."<ref name=adtt/> A "Joe Sampite' Scholarship Fund was established at the Northwestern State University Foundation.<ref name=obit/>
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sampite', Joe}}
[[Category:Louisiana People]]
[[Category:Politicians]]
[[Category:Mayors]]
[[Category:Educators]]
[[Category:Catholics]]
[[Category:Democrats]]
[[Category:United States Air Force]]