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→Robertson as mayor
During Robertson’s tenure, some 85 percent of the city streets were overlaid, and major upgrades were completed on the electrical, wastewater, and water systems. Many of the projects were funded through state and federal grants. Robertson has pledged to keep electrical rates—the city operates its own power plant—among the lowest in the state.
During Robertson’s tenure, some 85 percent of the city streets were overlaid, and major upgrades were completed on the electrical, wastewater, and water systems. Many of the projects were funded through state and federal grants. Robertson has pledged to keep electrical rates—the city operates its own power plant—among the lowest in the state.
The city partnered with the Minden/South Webster Chamber of Commerce to establish an office to conduct economic development services. A new director was hired to work on the expansion of local businesses and to attract new employers. Robertson said that the city sought to attract new industry and entice such new businesses as a movie theatre, skating rink, bowling alley, and additional restaurants. At one time, Minden had two sit-down theaters and a drive-in theater. The last theater closed in the late 1970s. Studies show that communities which cannot sustain a theater have difficulty with growth and development.
The city partnered with the Minden/South Webster Chamber of Commerce to establish an office to conduct economic development services. A new director was hired to work on the expansion of local businesses and to attract new employers. Robertson said that the city sought to attract new industry and entice such new businesses as a movie theatre, skating rink, bowling alley, and additional restaurants. At one time, Minden had two sit-down theaters and a drive-in theater. The last theater closed in the late 1970s.
Robertson was elected by his fellow mayors as first vice-president at the 2007 LMA convention in [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]]. A year later, he was elected president of the association. He was also a former second vice-president and a district vice-president of the LMA. As mayor, Robertson was an ''ex officio'' board member of the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority. LEPA was established by the Louisiana legislature in 1979 as an action agency for the eighteen Louisiana cities and towns which maintain their own independent municipal power system. He was a member of the [[Chamber of Commerce]],<ref name="ReferenceA"/> the Masonic lodge and the Shriners.<ref name=robobit/>
Robertson was elected by his fellow mayors as first vice-president at the 2007 LMA convention in [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]]. A year later, he was elected president of the association. He was also a former second vice-president and a district vice-president of the LMA. As mayor, Robertson was an ''ex officio'' board member of the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority. LEPA was established by the Louisiana legislature in 1979 as an action agency for the eighteen Louisiana cities and towns which maintain their own independent municipal power system. He was a member of the [[Chamber of Commerce]],<ref name="ReferenceA"/> the Masonic lodge and the Shriners.<ref name=robobit/>
==Death==
==Death in office===
Robertson had major back surgery in April 2013 and underwent rehabilitation. He died some two months later at the age of seventy-five in the Promise Hospital in [[Bossier City]].<ref name=death/> His services were held on June 30, 2013 at the First [[Baptist]] Church of Minden, where he was an active member. Officiating were pastors Leland Crawford of First Baptist and Richard D. Methvin, then of Eastside Missionary Baptist Church in Minden and later of Bistineau Baptist Church.<ref name=robobit/>
Robertson had back surgery in April 2013 and underwent rehabilitation. He died some two months later at the age of seventy-five in the Promise Hospital in [[Bossier City]].<ref name=death/> His services were held on June 30, 2013 at the First [[Baptist]] Church of Minden, where he was an active member. Officiating were pastors Leland Crawford of First Baptist and Richard D. Methvin, then of Eastside Missionary Baptist Church in Minden and later of Bistineau Baptist Church.<ref name=robobit/>
At the funeral, city council member [[Tommy Davis]] described Robertson as "bigger than life. He was respected across the state by everybody. ... Minden will have another mayor [but] Bill Robertson will be 'the mayor.' That’s just the way it will be."<ref name=funeral>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20130701/NEWS01/307010009/Family--friends-remember-Minden-mayor?source=nletter-news|author=Vickie Welborn|title="Family, friends remember Minden mayor: Celebration of Mayor Bill Robertson's life took place Sunday in city he loved and led," June 30, 2013|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|accessdate=July 2, 2013}}</ref>
At the funeral, city council member [[Tommy Davis]] described Robertson as "bigger than life. He was respected across the state by everybody. ... Minden will have another mayor [but] Bill Robertson will be 'the mayor.' That’s just the way it will be."<ref name=funeral>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20130701/NEWS01/307010009/Family--friends-remember-Minden-mayor?source=nletter-news|author=Vickie Welborn|title="Family, friends remember Minden mayor: Celebration of Mayor Bill Robertson's life took place Sunday in city he loved and led," June 30, 2013|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|accessdate=July 2, 2013}}</ref>
Robertson is interred at Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Minden.<ref name=robobit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=billy-robertson&pid=165573311&fhid=10225#fbLoggedOut|title=Mayor Billy H. "Bill" Robertson|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|accessdate=June 28, 2013}}</ref>
Robertson is interred at Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Minden.<ref name=robobit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=billy-robertson&pid=165573311&fhid=10225#fbLoggedOut|title=Mayor Billy H. "Bill" Robertson|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|accessdate=June 28, 2013}}</ref>
==Recommending Tommy Davis as his successor==
==Recommending Tommy Davis as his successor==
The day after Robertson's funeral, a letter written by Robertson earlier in 2013 was released by Wanda Pittman, Robertson's executive assistant. It reveals that Robertson and his wife recommend that the city council choose Marvin Thomas "Tommy" Davis] the District D member, as the next mayor.<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=''Shreveport Times'', July 1, 2013|accessdate=July 2, 2013}}</ref> First elected in 2006, Davis was until his election as mayor the only Republican on the current city council.<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=July 2, 2013}}</ref> A businessman, Davis is a native of Stephens, Arkansas.
The day after Robertson's funeral, a letter written by Robertson earlier in 2013 was released by Wanda Pittman, Robertson's executive assistant. It reveals that Robertson and his wife recommend that the city council choose Marvin Thomas "Tommy" Davis] the District D member, as the next mayor.<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=''Shreveport Times'', July 1, 2013|accessdate=July 2, 2013}}</ref> First elected in 2006, Davis was until his election as mayor the only Republican on the current city council.<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=July 2, 2013}}</ref> A businessman, Davis is a native of Stephens, Arkansas.