Changes

Thompson is married to the former Marilyn Bryant[1] (born October 6, 1944). The couple lives at 456 Robin Hood Lane in Delhi. They have three children, including sons Francis Todd Thompson (born c. 1963) of Baton Rouge and Brant L. Thompson (born April 1, 1965 of Delhi, and daughter, Melissa T. Blanchfield of Baton Rouge.[6] Thompson is a [[Presbyterian]].

Thompson is married to the former Marilyn Bryant[1] (born October 6, 1944). The couple lives at 456 Robin Hood Lane in Delhi. They have three children, including sons Francis Todd Thompson (born c. 1963) of Baton Rouge and Brant L. Thompson (born April 1, 1965 of Delhi, and daughter, Melissa T. Blanchfield of Baton Rouge.[6] Thompson is a [[Presbyterian]].

Interest in agriculture

==Interest in agriculture==

In 2000, Thompson was named chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.[7] In 2003, he authored the "Master Farmer" program, which the legislature approved without dissent. The program was developed by the Louisiana State University Agriculture Center and sponsored by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. It is an environmental education program designed to help farmers and ranchers identify and adopt best management practices to improve water quality in lakes, streams and bayous. It involves classroom instruction, field days and implementation of farm-specific conservation plans to maximize productivity while minimizing environmental impacts. Thompson's model program has been proposed for national acceptance.[8]

In 2000, Thompson was named chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.[7] In 2003, he authored the "Master Farmer" program, which the legislature approved without dissent. The program was developed by the Louisiana State University Agriculture Center and sponsored by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. It is an environmental education program designed to help farmers and ranchers identify and adopt best management practices to improve water quality in lakes, streams and bayous. It involves classroom instruction, field days and implementation of farm-specific conservation plans to maximize productivity while minimizing environmental impacts. Thompson's model program has been proposed for national acceptance.[8]

Poverty Point case

==Poverty Poin==

During his long legislative career, Thompson worked successfully to procure state funding for Poverty Point Reservoir, a 3,000-acre (12 km2) lake north of Delhi that was completed in 2001. The reservoir has since been converted to a state park. Thompson's brother, Michael L. "Mike" Thompson (born February 1, 1949) of Delhi is the former executive director of the reservoir district. On June 26, 2008, Mike Thompson along with District Attorney William R. "Billy" Coenen (born July 1, 1947) of the Fifth Judicial District and a resident of Rayville[6] and engineer Terry Denmon of Monroe were indicted by a federal grand jury in Shreveport for having conspired secretly to purchase land along what would become Poverty Point Reservoir and then selling the land at an elevated price.[9] The trio is each charged with one count of conspiracy and eight counts of mail fraud. Mike Thompson is also under indictment for alleged violations of the Hobbs Act. Thompson is accused of having used district employees to perform personal work for him at the lake. [10]

During his long legislative career, Thompson worked successfully to procure state funding for Poverty Point Reservoir, a 3,000-acre (12 km2) lake north of Delhi that was completed in 2001. The reservoir has since been converted to a state park. Thompson's brother, Michael L. "Mike" Thompson (born February 1, 1949) of Delhi is the former executive director of the reservoir district. On June 26, 2008, Mike Thompson along with District Attorney William R. "Billy" Coenen (born July 1, 1947) of the Fifth Judicial District and a resident of Rayville[6] and engineer Terry Denmon of Monroe were indicted by a federal grand jury in Shreveport for having conspired secretly to purchase land along what would become Poverty Point Reservoir and then selling the land at an elevated price.[9] The trio is each charged with one count of conspiracy and eight counts of mail fraud. Mike Thompson is also under indictment for alleged violations of the Hobbs Act. Thompson is accused of having used district employees to perform personal work for him at the lake. [10]

According to the indictment, Thompson, Coenen, and Denmon bought a 5-acre (20,000 m2) tract of land on what would later form the shores of the reservoir for $16,800. They reportedly used a nominee purchaser to hide their interest. Subsequently, Thompson used his position as executive director to have trees removed from the property. Thompson and Denmon (born May 15, 1944),[6] whose engineering firm was contracted to work for the district, had the property excavated, the indictment states. The tract was subdivided, and six of the eight lots sold for a total of $250,000. Coenen is implicated through his role as attorney for the Poverty Point District as well as being district attorney.[10]

According to the indictment, Thompson, Coenen, and Denmon bought a 5-acre (20,000 m2) tract of land on what would later form the shores of the reservoir for $16,800. They reportedly used a nominee purchaser to hide their interest. Subsequently, Thompson used his position as executive director to have trees removed from the property. Thompson and Denmon (born May 15, 1944),[6] whose engineering firm was contracted to work for the district, had the property excavated, the indictment states. The tract was subdivided, and six of the eight lots sold for a total of $250,000. Coenen is implicated through his role as attorney for the Poverty Point District as well as being district attorney.[10]

Other political developments

==Other political developments==

In 1996, Thompson ran for the open Fifth District seat in the United States House of Representatives. He polled 50,144 votes (28 percent) and went into a general election with the Republican ophthalmologist John Cooksey of Monroe, who led in the jungle primary with 60,853 ballots (34 percent). Former U.S. Representative Clyde Cecil Holloway (1943-2016) of Rapides Parish trailed in third place with 48,226 (27 percent).[11] Holloway then endorsed Cooksey, who defeated Thompson by a comfortable margin. Cooksey received 135,990 votes (58 percent) to the more liberal Thompson's 97,363 (42 percent).[12] Cooksey served three terms before leaving the U.S. House early in 2003. Cooksey's campaign manager, Lee Fletcher, was thereafter named as his chief of staff. Fletcher tried to win the House seat himself in 2002 but lost to Democrat (later Republican) [[Rodney Alexande]]r.

In 1996, Thompson ran for the open Fifth District seat in the United States House of Representatives. He polled 50,144 votes (28 percent) and went into a general election with the Republican ophthalmologist John Cooksey of Monroe, who led in the jungle primary with 60,853 ballots (34 percent). Former U.S. Representative Clyde Cecil Holloway (1943-2016) of Rapides Parish trailed in third place with 48,226 (27 percent).[11] Holloway then endorsed Cooksey, who defeated Thompson by a comfortable margin. Cooksey received 135,990 votes (58 percent) to the more liberal Thompson's 97,363 (42 percent).[12] Cooksey served three terms before leaving the U.S. House early in 2003. Cooksey's campaign manager, Lee Fletcher, was thereafter named as his chief of staff. Fletcher tried to win the House seat himself in 2002 but lost to Democrat (later Republican) [[Rodney Alexande]]r.