Block, SkipCaptcha, apieditor, Automoderated users, Bots, edit, ratelimit-exempt
59,485
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 30:
Line 30: − + Line 38:
Line 38: − + − + − + − + − + Line 60:
Line 60: − + − + − + − + Line 72:
Line 72: − + − + − A native of Stephens in Ouachita County in south [[Arkansas]], Davis graduated in 1960 from Stephens High School. Prior to becoming mayor, Davis had been involved in several Minden businesses. He has three children, Scott Patrick Davis (born September 12, 1966), Stanley Paul Davis (born January 25, 1968), and Suzanne Davis Burkett (born March 25, 1972), from his first marriage to the former Vernie Bryan (1943-1996),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.death-record.com/d/n/Vernie-Davis|title=Death Records: Vernie B. Davis|publisher=death-record.com|accessdate=October 19, 2013}}</ref> daughter of Floyd Thomas Bryan (1903-1956) and Mercie Mae Bryan (1907-2010) of Stephens, Arkansas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Bryan&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=4&GScnty=144&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=162444528&df=all&|title=Floyd Thomas Bryan|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=July 28, 2017}}</ref> Vernie Davis was a teacher at Minden High School and later the private Glenbrook School in Minden. The Davises lived for twelve years in [[Fort Smith, Arkansas|Fort Smith]], Arkansas, before they returned to Minden in the late 1970s. She is interred at Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Minden.<ref>Vernie Davis obituary, ''Minden Press-Herald'', October 28, 1996, p. 1.</ref> + − +
HTTP --> HTTPS
| parents=
| parents=
}}
}}
'''Marvin Thomas Davis''', known as '''Tommy Davis''' (born September 29, 1942), is the former [[mayor]] of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish in northwestern [[Louisiana]]. Sworn into office on November 5, 2013,<ref name=swearingin>Tommy Davis sworn in as Minden's mayor", ''The Minden Press-Herald'', November 6, 2013, p. 1.</ref> he was elected to a full term on December 6, 2014.<ref name=reelection>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/12062014/12062014_60.html|title=Election results|date= December 6, 2014|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=December 6, 2014}}</ref>
'''Marvin Thomas Davis''', known as '''Tommy Davis''' (born September 29, 1942), is the former [[mayor]] of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish in northwestern [[Louisiana]]. Sworn into office on November 5, 2013,<ref name=swearingin>Tommy Davis sworn in as Minden's mayor", ''The Minden Press-Herald'', November 6, 2013, p. 1.</ref> he was elected to a full term on December 6, 2014.<ref name=reelection>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/12062014/12062014_60.html|title=Election results|date= December 6, 2014|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=December 6, 2014}}</ref>
Davis polled votes 2,254 votes (61 percent); Cornelius, 821 ballots (22 percent). A second African-American Democrat, Walter "Woo" Morgan, Jr. (born July 1970), a barber and hair stylist, received the remaining 646 votes (17 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lasos.blob.core.windows.net/graphical-prod/rss/10192013_Parish.xml|title=Webster: Mayor City of Minden, October 19, 2013|publisher=lasos.blob.core.windows.net|accessdate=October 19, 2013}}</ref> Of the 8,298 registered voters inside the city limits, 3,721 (44.8 percent) cast ballots. More than one thousand of those ballots were cast during early voting, which propelled Davis to a head start in the counting with 72 percent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7792:44-percent-of-registered-voters-cast-ballots-saturday&catid=34:local-news&Itemid=69|title=Less than half of registered voters cast ballot for Minden mayor|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|accessdate=October 23, 2013}}</ref>
Davis polled votes 2,254 votes (61 percent); Cornelius, 821 ballots (22 percent). A second African-American Democrat, Walter "Woo" Morgan, Jr. (born July 1970), a barber and hair stylist, received the remaining 646 votes (17 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lasos.blob.core.windows.net/graphical-prod/rss/10192013_Parish.xml|title=Webster: Mayor City of Minden, October 19, 2013|publisher=lasos.blob.core.windows.net|accessdate=October 19, 2013}}</ref> Of the 8,298 registered voters inside the city limits, 3,721 (44.8 percent) cast ballots. More than one thousand of those ballots were cast during early voting, which propelled Davis to a head start in the counting with 72 percent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7792:44-percent-of-registered-voters-cast-ballots-saturday&catid=34:local-news&Itemid=69|title=Less than half of registered voters cast ballot for Minden mayor|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|accessdate=October 23, 2013}}</ref>
Upon his becoming mayor, Davis' District D seat on the Minden City Council became vacant. He was first elected to the council on September 30, 2006, when he defeated the then Democrat [[Terry Gardner]], 481 (58.1 percent) to 346 (41.8 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/09302006/09302006_60.html|title=Webster Parish primary election returns, September 30, 2006|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=October 19, 2013}}</ref> The council voted unanimously on November 5 to appoint another Republican businessman, Michael Scott "Mike" Toland (born September 1959), to fill Davis' council seat.<ref name=swearingin/> Toland followed in the steps of his grandfather, Cecil C. Toland (1905-1976), an oil products distributor, who was elected to the city council in 1952.<ref>''Minden Herald'', May 16, 1952, p. 1.</ref> Gardner, a businessman and entrepreneur, was defeated again for the city council in the 2014 primary, that time by Mike Toland.
Upon his becoming mayor, Davis' District D seat on the Minden City Council became vacant. He was first elected to the council on September 30, 2006, when he defeated the then Democrat [[Terry Gardner]], 481 (58.1 percent) to 346 (41.8 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/09302006/09302006_60.html|title=Webster Parish primary election returns, September 30, 2006|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=October 19, 2013}}</ref> The council voted unanimously on November 5 to appoint another Republican businessman, Michael Scott "Mike" Toland (born September 1959), to fill Davis' council seat.<ref name=swearingin/> Toland followed in the steps of his grandfather, Cecil C. Toland (1905-1976), an oil products distributor, who was elected to the city council in 1952.<ref>''Minden Herald'', May 16, 1952, p. 1.</ref> Gardner, a businessman and entrepreneur, was defeated again for the city council in the 2014 primary, that time by Mike Toland.
After Robertson's death, a letter which he had written while trying to recover from his fatal illness was released. By this means, Robertson posthumously endorsed Davis as his preferred successor should Robertson become unable to complete his term, which extended until January 1, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20130702/NEWS01/307020015/Minden-mayor-picks-successor-before-his-death|title=Minden mayor picks successor before his death: Bill Robertson wants Tommy Davis as interim|publisher=''The Shreveport Times'', July 1, 2013|accessdate=July 2, 2013}}</ref> The Minden City Council, however, ignored Robertson's request and voted three-to-two along racial lines to elevate Cornelius as the interim mayor.<ref name=keel>KEEL Radio, Shreveport, Louisiana, July 11, 2013.</ref> On July 19, Davis announced that he would seek to fill through the special election the remaining months of Robertson's term.<ref>"Councilman Tommy Davis announces mayoral bid", ''Minden Press-Herald'', July 19, 2013.</ref>
After Robertson's death, a letter which he had written while trying to recover from his fatal illness was released. By this means, Robertson posthumously endorsed Davis as his preferred successor should Robertson become unable to complete his term, which extended until January 1, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20130702/NEWS01/307020015/Minden-mayor-picks-successor-before-his-death|title=Minden mayor picks successor before his death: Bill Robertson wants Tommy Davis as interim|publisher=''The Shreveport Times'', July 1, 2013|accessdate=July 2, 2013}}</ref> The Minden City Council, however, ignored Robertson's request and voted three-to-two along racial lines to elevate Cornelius as the interim mayor.<ref name=keel>KEEL Radio, Shreveport, Louisiana, July 11, 2013.</ref> On July 19, Davis announced that he would seek to fill through the special election the remaining months of Robertson's term.<ref>"Councilman Tommy Davis announces mayoral bid", ''Minden Press-Herald'', July 19, 2013.</ref>
In the campaign for mayor, Davis called for the creation of industrial jobs to enhance the spending capacity of the citizens.<ref name=ktbs>{{cite web|url=http://www.ktbs.com/story/23664301/2013/10/11/minden-la-will-elect-first-mayor-in-20-years|title=Minden, La. will elect first new mayor in 20 years, October 10, 2013|publisher=KTBS-TV ([[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] in [[Shreveport]])|accessdate=October 15, 2013}}</ref> Davis proposed improvements at the south industrial complex, including construction of an access road and water and sewerage [[infrastructure]]. "We have two hundred acres that are available down there, but we need to be able to get to that acreage to develop it. That's across the railroad tracks, so we need to put in a railroad crossing."<ref name=ktbs/> Davis also urged that the city increase its electrical power grid and water storage capacity.<ref name=ktbs/>
In the campaign for mayor, Davis called for the creation of industrial jobs to enhance the spending capacity of the citizens.<ref name=ktbs>{{cite web|url=http://www.ktbs.com/story/23664301/2013/10/11/minden-la-will-elect-first-mayor-in-20-years|title=Minden, La. will elect first new mayor in 20 years, October 10, 2013|publisher=KTBS-TV ([[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] in [[Shreveport]])|accessdate=October 15, 2013}}</ref> Davis proposed improvements at the south industrial complex, including construction of an access road and water and sewerage [[infrastructure]]. "We have two hundred acres that are available down there, but we need to be able to get to that acreage to develop it. That's across the railroad tracks, so we need to put in a railroad crossing."<ref name=ktbs/> Davis also urged that the city increase its electrical power grid and water storage capacity.<ref name=ktbs/>
The 2014 city budget under Davis included 2 percent raises for city workers and increased fees for some city services, which were passed along to the public: "I don't want to cry wolf, but with our revenue being flat and everything costing more than it used to, we're having to work hard to get a balanced budget. But I'm confident we will have one because we don't want to take it out of reserves."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/money/business/2014/08/16/minden-open-business/14173765/|title=Minden is 'open' for business|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|author=Vickie Welborn|date=August 16, 2014|accessdate=November 16, 2014}}</ref>
The 2014 city budget under Davis included 2 percent raises for city workers and increased fees for some city services, which were passed along to the public: "I don't want to cry wolf, but with our revenue being flat and everything costing more than it used to, we're having to work hard to get a balanced budget. But I'm confident we will have one because we don't want to take it out of reserves."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/money/business/2014/08/16/minden-open-business/14173765/|title=Minden is 'open' for business|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|author=Vickie Welborn|date=August 16, 2014|accessdate=November 16, 2014}}</ref>
==Election of 2014==
==Election of 2014==
Davis is only the third Republican elected mayor of Minden since 1966, the others having been Arthur Thomas "Tom" Colten and [[Paul A. Brown]].<ref name=mayorlist/> The term extended for under fifteen months.<ref name=keel/> Davis ran again in the runoff election on December 6, 2014, for a full term as mayor. He faced a No-Party candidate, Charles Deck "Chad" Odom (born February 1975), who holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies and Regional Planning with an emphasis in International Economic Development from the University of New Orleans.<ref name=whartontx/> In the November 4 primary, Davis led the three-candidate field with 2,045 votes (44.5 percent) to Odom's 1,467 (31.9 percent). In third place was former Mayor Joe Cornelius, Sr., the 2013 losing candidate, with 1,089 votes (23.7 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11042014/11042014_60.html|title=Election Results for 11/4/2014|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=November 5, 2014}}</ref> Odom is the son of Webster Parish former Police Juror Charles D. Odom (born January 1951), an [[Independent voter|Independent]], and Pattie Lou Cook Odom (born October 1951), the Minden municipal downtown and economic development director who lost a race in 1991 as a Democratic candidate for state representative for Webster Parish. Odom's maternal grandfather was Harold Rae "Boe" Cook (1925-1997),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Cook&GSfn=H&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=20&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=89124069&df=all&|title=Harold Ray "Boe" Cook (1925-1997)|publisher=findagrave.com|accessdate=December 30, 2014}}</ref> the owner of and popular broadcaster for KASO radio in Minden. One of his great-grandfathers was S. P. D. Coyle, a former mayor of Cotton Valley north of Minden, who died in 1955.<ref>"Former Cotton Valley Mayor Dies at Age 97", ''Minden Press'', July 28, 1955, p. 1.</ref>
Davis is only the third Republican elected mayor of Minden since 1966, the others having been Arthur Thomas "Tom" Colten and [[Paul A. Brown]].<ref name=mayorlist/> The term extended for under fifteen months.<ref name=keel/> Davis ran again in the runoff election on December 6, 2014, for a full term as mayor. He faced a No-Party candidate, Charles Deck "Chad" Odom (born February 1975), who holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies and Regional Planning with an emphasis in International Economic Development from the University of New Orleans.<ref name=whartontx/> In the November 4 primary, Davis led the three-candidate field with 2,045 votes (44.5 percent) to Odom's 1,467 (31.9 percent). In third place was former Mayor Joe Cornelius, Sr., the 2013 losing candidate, with 1,089 votes (23.7 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11042014/11042014_60.html|title=Election Results for 11/4/2014|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=November 5, 2014}}</ref> Odom is the son of Webster Parish former Police Juror Charles D. Odom (born January 1951), an [[Independent voter|Independent]], and Pattie Lou Cook Odom (born October 1951), the Minden municipal downtown and economic development director who lost a race in 1991 as a Democratic candidate for state representative for Webster Parish. Odom's maternal grandfather was Harold Rae "Boe" Cook (1925-1997),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Cook&GSfn=H&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=20&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=89124069&df=all&|title=Harold Ray "Boe" Cook (1925-1997)|publisher=findagrave.com|accessdate=December 30, 2014}}</ref> the owner of and popular broadcaster for KASO radio in Minden. One of his great-grandfathers was S. P. D. Coyle, a former mayor of Cotton Valley north of Minden, who died in 1955.<ref>"Former Cotton Valley Mayor Dies at Age 97", ''Minden Press'', July 28, 1955, p. 1.</ref>
Davis prevailed in the runoff by 225 votes, 2,346 (52.5 percent) to Odom's 2,121 (47.5 percent).<ref name=reelection/> Davis said that his narrow victory was "not about me. It's about Minden and where we need to go and where we want to go." Barbara Robertson, widow of former Mayor Bill Robertson, said Davis's victory for a full term was "like fulfilling a dream … This was what he [Robertson] wanted. If he wasn't mayor, he wanted it for Tommy." Mrs. Robertson said that Davis like her husband understands the importance of reserve funds in case of emergencies."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/tommy-davis-wins-full-term-as-minden-mayor/|title=Tommy Davis wins full term as Minden mayor|author=Bonnie Culverhouse|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|accessdate=December 8, 2014}}</ref>
Davis prevailed in the runoff by 225 votes, 2,346 (52.5 percent) to Odom's 2,121 (47.5 percent).<ref name=reelection/> Davis said that his narrow victory was "not about me. It's about Minden and where we need to go and where we want to go." Barbara Robertson, widow of former Mayor Bill Robertson, said Davis's victory for a full term was "like fulfilling a dream … This was what he [Robertson] wanted. If he wasn't mayor, he wanted it for Tommy." Mrs. Robertson said that Davis like her husband understands the importance of reserve funds in case of emergencies."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/tommy-davis-wins-full-term-as-minden-mayor/|title=Tommy Davis wins full term as Minden mayor|author=Bonnie Culverhouse|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|accessdate=December 8, 2014}}</ref>
Chad Odom said that while he was temporarily discouraged by his defeat: "We caused some of the most powerful people in Minden to spend a lot of money trying to beat a good idea. We're not going away, not going to pretend this didn't happen. The important thing is we continue pushing toward what we want as a community."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/odom-keep-pushing-minden-forward/|title=Odom: Keep pushing Minden forward|author=Pat Culverhouse|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|accessdate=December 8, 2014}}</ref> However, Chad Odom soon left Minden to become the economic development director for Port Lavaca, [[Texas]]. In January 2017, he took the position as executive director of the Wharton Economic Development Corporation in Wharton, Texas.<ref name=whartontx>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/chad-odom-tapped-as-executive-director-of-wedco/|title=Chad Odom tapped as executive director of WEDCo.|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|date=December 16, 2016|accessdate=December 19, 2016}}</ref>
Chad Odom said that while he was temporarily discouraged by his defeat: "We caused some of the most powerful people in Minden to spend a lot of money trying to beat a good idea. We're not going away, not going to pretend this didn't happen. The important thing is we continue pushing toward what we want as a community."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/odom-keep-pushing-minden-forward/|title=Odom: Keep pushing Minden forward|author=Pat Culverhouse|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|accessdate=December 8, 2014}}</ref> However, Chad Odom soon left Minden to become the economic development director for Port Lavaca, [[Texas]]. In January 2017, he took the position as executive director of the Wharton Economic Development Corporation in Wharton, Texas.<ref name=whartontx>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/chad-odom-tapped-as-executive-director-of-wedco/|title=Chad Odom tapped as executive director of WEDCo.|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|date=December 16, 2016|accessdate=December 19, 2016}}</ref>
==Mayoral matters==
==Mayoral matters==
In 2017, Davis advanced a proposed annual municipal budget of $35,164,835 in revenues and $35,539,545 in expenses. Under the plan, the city would use its reserves to fill the $374,710 gap. "The reality is, we are either going to have to raise more revenue or cut services. I know the general public thinks we don't spend our money wisely, but we have made cuts to the budget," Davis said. To draw more revenues, Davis and city leaders planned to reconfigure water billings so that consumers will fall into one of four tiers based on usage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/new-city-budget-almost-complete/|title=New city budget almost complete|author=Bruce Franklin|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|date=July 28, 2017|accessdate=July 28, 2017}}</ref>
In 2017, Davis advanced a proposed annual municipal budget of $35,164,835 in revenues and $35,539,545 in expenses. Under the plan, the city would use its reserves to fill the $374,710 gap. "The reality is, we are either going to have to raise more revenue or cut services. I know the general public thinks we don't spend our money wisely, but we have made cuts to the budget," Davis said. To draw more revenues, Davis and city leaders planned to reconfigure water billings so that consumers will fall into one of four tiers based on usage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/new-city-budget-almost-complete/|title=New city budget almost complete|author=Bruce Franklin|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|date=July 28, 2017|accessdate=July 28, 2017}}</ref>
In August 2017, Mayor Davis announced that prints of two Ben Earl Looney paintings, the Louisiana State Capitol and the Pentagon Barracks in [[Baton Rouge]], would be displayed in the Cypress Room at Minden City Hall. Davis obtained both prints from Keith Ardoin, an art collector and a town council member in Krotz Springs in St. Landry Parish, whom he met at the Louisiana Municipal Association annual convention. Ardoin made the offer after learning about Looney's Minden background.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/looney-prints-donated-to-city-of-minden/|title=Looney prints donated to City of Minden|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|date=August 24, 2017|author=Michelle Bates|accessdate=August 25, 2017}}</ref>
In August 2017, Mayor Davis announced that prints of two Ben Earl Looney paintings, the Louisiana State Capitol and the Pentagon Barracks in [[Baton Rouge]], would be displayed in the Cypress Room at Minden City Hall. Davis obtained both prints from Keith Ardoin, an art collector and a town council member in Krotz Springs in St. Landry Parish, whom he met at the Louisiana Municipal Association annual convention. Ardoin made the offer after learning about Looney's Minden background.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/looney-prints-donated-to-city-of-minden/|title=Looney prints donated to City of Minden|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|date=August 24, 2017|author=Michelle Bates|accessdate=August 25, 2017}}</ref>
On July 12, 2018, Davis gave welcoming remarks for the statewide conference of the African-American Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, which met at the Mt. Zion congregation in Minden for the installation of the Fourth Episcopal District bishop, C. James King, Jr., of [[Mississippi]]. Davis bestowed King with a key to the city. Of his initial impression of Minden, King said: "Minden is really nice – I've really liked the people I've met ... they welcomed us tremendously."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/coming-together-in-minden/|title=Coming Together in Minden|author=Caleb Daniel|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=July 13, 2018|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref>
On July 12, 2018, Davis gave welcoming remarks for the statewide conference of the African-American Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, which met at the Mt. Zion congregation in Minden for the installation of the Fourth Episcopal District bishop, C. James King, Jr., of [[Mississippi]]. Davis bestowed King with a key to the city. Of his initial impression of Minden, King said: "Minden is really nice – I've really liked the people I've met ... they welcomed us tremendously."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/coming-together-in-minden/|title=Coming Together in Minden|author=Caleb Daniel|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=July 13, 2018|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref>
The city council approved Davis' last budget for 2018-2019 in the amount of $33.3 million. The mayor called the spending plan "a very tight budget this year. … We have scrubbed it very close. We still left in some big projects that need to be done, some equipment purchases, and some street projects that desperately need to be done. But there’s no fluff in it at all – it’s very, very tight.”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/city-passes-44-2-million-budget/|title=City passes $33.3 million budget|publisher=''The Minen Press-Herald''|author=David Specht|date=September 5, 2018|accessdate=September 9, 2018}}</ref>
The city council approved Davis' last budget for 2018-2019 in the amount of $33.3 million. The mayor called the spending plan "a very tight budget this year. … We have scrubbed it very close. We still left in some big projects that need to be done, some equipment purchases, and some street projects that desperately need to be done. But there’s no fluff in it at all – it’s very, very tight.”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/city-passes-44-2-million-budget/|title=City passes $33.3 million budget|publisher=''The Minen Press-Herald''|author=David Specht|date=September 5, 2018|accessdate=September 9, 2018}}</ref>
Davis did not seek a second full term in the nonpartisan blanket primary held on November 6, 2018, in conjunction with congressional races.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/election-time-again/|title=Election time again|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=July 18, 2018|author=Caleb Daniel|accessdate=July 19, 2018}}</ref> A Democrat, William Kerry "Winky" Newer (born June 4, 1962), the former municipal recreation director, filed for mayor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://minden/press-herald.com/newer-annonuces-mayoral-bid/|title=Newer announces mayoral bid|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=June 29, 2018|accessdate=July 18, 2018}}</ref> Newer said that had he been elected he would have tried to strengthen municipal financial growth." I will continue our attempts to lower the electrical rates by all means possible. We must continue our effort to attract new industry and business to our area," he said.
Davis did not seek a second full term in the nonpartisan blanket primary held on November 6, 2018, in conjunction with congressional races.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/election-time-again/|title=Election time again|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=July 18, 2018|author=Caleb Daniel|accessdate=July 19, 2018}}</ref> A Democrat, William Kerry "Winky" Newer (born June 4, 1962), the former municipal recreation director, filed for mayor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://minden/press-herald.com/newer-annonuces-mayoral-bid/|title=Newer announces mayoral bid|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=June 29, 2018|accessdate=July 18, 2018}}</ref> Newer said that had he been elected he would have tried to strengthen municipal financial growth." I will continue our attempts to lower the electrical rates by all means possible. We must continue our effort to attract new industry and business to our area," he said.
Newer lost to businessman Terry Gardner, a former Democrat turned Republican, originally from [[Shreveport]]. He is married to the former Deborah Ann "Debbie" Walker (born May 19, 1957).<ref name=tgg>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/gardner-announces-minden-mayoral-bid/|title=Gardner announces Minden mayoral bid|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=July 16, 2018|accessdate=July 18, 2018}}</ref> Gardner ran unsuccessfully for the District 4 city council seat in 2014, having been defeated, 64 to 36 percent, by fellow Republican, Mike Toland, who vacated the seat on December 31, 2018. Gardner ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat in two previous city council races, in 2003 against Drew White and in the 2006 race against Davis. Gardner said that he opposes increasing fees and taxes and would if elected instead seek to upgrade the municipal infrastructure through the hiring of a full-time grant writer, who will pursue revenues from outside sources.<ref name=tgg/>
Newer lost to businessman Terry Gardner, a former Democrat turned Republican, originally from [[Shreveport]]. He is married to the former Deborah Ann "Debbie" Walker (born May 19, 1957).<ref name=tgg>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/gardner-announces-minden-mayoral-bid/|title=Gardner announces Minden mayoral bid|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=July 16, 2018|accessdate=July 18, 2018}}</ref> Gardner ran unsuccessfully for the District 4 city council seat in 2014, having been defeated, 64 to 36 percent, by fellow Republican, Mike Toland, who vacated the seat on December 31, 2018. Gardner ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat in two previous city council races, in 2003 against Drew White and in the 2006 race against Davis. Gardner said that he opposes increasing fees and taxes and would if elected instead seek to upgrade the municipal infrastructure through the hiring of a full-time grant writer, who will pursue revenues from outside sources.<ref name=tgg/>
In a campaign characterized primarily by aggressive use of yard signs, Gardner emerged from the primary victorious over Newer by 37 votes: 2,164 to 2,127. Turnout was 53.7 percent of registered voters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Graphical|title=Election Returns|date=November 6, 2018|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=November 7, 2018}}</ref>
In a campaign characterized primarily by aggressive use of yard signs, Gardner emerged from the primary victorious over Newer by 37 votes: 2,164 to 2,127. Turnout was 53.7 percent of registered voters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Graphical|title=Election Returns|date=November 6, 2018|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=November 7, 2018}}</ref>
==Personal life==
==Personal life==
A native of Stephens in Ouachita County in south [[Arkansas]], Davis graduated in 1960 from Stephens High School. Prior to becoming mayor, Davis had been involved in several Minden businesses. He has three children, Scott Patrick Davis (born September 12, 1966), Stanley Paul Davis (born January 25, 1968), and Suzanne Davis Burkett (born March 25, 1972), from his first marriage to the former Vernie Bryan (1943-1996),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.death-record.com/d/n/Vernie-Davis|title=Death Records: Vernie B. Davis|publisher=death-record.com|accessdate=October 19, 2013}}</ref> daughter of Floyd Thomas Bryan (1903-1956) and Mercie Mae Bryan (1907-2010) of Stephens, Arkansas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Bryan&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=4&GScnty=144&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=162444528&df=all&|title=Floyd Thomas Bryan|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=July 28, 2017}}</ref> Vernie Davis was a teacher at Minden High School and later the private Glenbrook School in Minden. The Davises lived for twelve years in [[Fort Smith, Arkansas|Fort Smith]], Arkansas, before they returned to Minden in the late 1970s. She is interred at Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Minden.<ref>Vernie Davis obituary, ''Minden Press-Herald'', October 28, 1996, p. 1.</ref>
Scott Davis resides in Alexander, a small town near [[Little Rock]], Arkansas. Scott's brother, Stanley Davis, a Minden native living in Mt. Pleasant, [[South Carolina]], is retired from the [[United States Air Force]]. He was the featured speaker at the annual Independence Day flag raising ceremony at Eagle Park in Minden in 2018. A two-time squadron commander, his most recent service was as commander for the Air Force Reserve's 317th Airlift Squadron in [[Charleston]], South Carolina. He entered the Air Force in 1986 through a Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship at [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]], at which he was a vice commandant award winner . He was named one of only ten cadets nationwide for an AFROTC Cadet Exchange Program with the [[Royal Air Force]] in [[Great Britain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/davis-to-speak-at-flag-raising-ceremony-on-independence-day/|title=Davis to speak at flag-raising ceremony on Independence Day|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|date=July 3, 2018|accessdate=July 5, 2018}}</ref> The Davis daughter, Suzanne Burkett, resides in the small community of Avery in Red River County, [[Texas]].
Scott Davis resides in Alexander, a small town near [[Little Rock]], Arkansas. Scott's brother, Stanley Davis, a Minden native living in Mt. Pleasant, [[South Carolina]], is retired from the [[United States Air Force]]. He was the featured speaker at the annual Independence Day flag raising ceremony at Eagle Park in Minden in 2018. A two-time squadron commander, his most recent service was as commander for the Air Force Reserve's 317th Airlift Squadron in [[Charleston]], South Carolina. He entered the Air Force in 1986 through a Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship at [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]], at which he was a vice commandant award winner . He was named one of only ten cadets nationwide for an AFROTC Cadet Exchange Program with the [[Royal Air Force]] in [[Great Britain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/davis-to-speak-at-flag-raising-ceremony-on-independence-day/|title=Davis to speak at flag-raising ceremony on Independence Day|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|date=July 3, 2018|accessdate=July 5, 2018}}</ref> The Davis daughter, Suzanne Burkett, resides in the small community of Avery in Red River County, [[Texas]].
After Vernie's death, Davis subsequently married the former Nelda Joy Ward Hensley (born August 28, 1946), the widow of Jimmy Keith Hensley (1947-1991), who is interred at Arlington Cemetery<ref>{{cite web|url=https://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Hensley&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=20&GScnty=1122&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=131646104&df=all&|title=Jimmy Keith Hensley|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=July 28, 2017}}</ref> in Homer in Claiborne Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usa-people-search.com/order.aspx?vw=people&item-id=OP-3847230&item-count=1&fn=Marvin&ln=Davis&mn=T&city=Minden&state=LA|title=Marvin T. Davis|publisher=usa-people-search.com|accessdate=October 19, 2013}}</ref>
After Vernie's death, Davis subsequently married the former Nelda Joy Ward Hensley (born August 28, 1946), the widow of Jimmy Keith Hensley (1947-1991), who is interred at Arlington Cemetery<ref>{{cite web|url=https://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Hensley&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=20&GScnty=1122&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=131646104&df=all&|title=Jimmy Keith Hensley|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=July 28, 2017}}</ref> in Homer in Claiborne Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usa-people-search.com/order.aspx?vw=people&item-id=OP-3847230&item-count=1&fn=Marvin&ln=Davis&mn=T&city=Minden&state=LA|title=Marvin T. Davis|publisher=usa-people-search.com|accessdate=October 19, 2013}}</ref>