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Line 62: − + + + − Then in the general election on November 3, 1970, Allen defeated Shreveport businessman Edward Leo "Ed" McGuire (1914-1983), the first Republican since [[Reconstruction]] even to run for Shreveport mayor. A native of [[New England]] and an in-law of Shreveport 1st Judicial District Judge [[Thornton F. Bell]], McGuire was a one term six-year member of the Caddo Parish School Board. He served alongside two other Republicans, [[Billy Guin]] and Joel B. Brown. They were all elected at-large, laetr by specific districts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=McGuire&GSfn=Edward&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=20&GScnty=1117&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=129524082&df=all&|title=Edward Leo McGuire, Jr.|publisher=Findagrave.com|author=Shawn Bohannon|date=May 9, 2014|accessdate=March 3, 2015}}</ref> Allen's margin over McGuire was by landslide proportions, 63-37 percent. He forged a winning coalition of African Americans, blue-collar whites, and local businessmen that would dominate Shreveport politically for most of the remaining years of the 20th century. Elected with Allen in 1970 were Public Utilities Commissioner William A. "Bill" Collins, Public Works Commissioner Donald Edgar Hathaway, Sr., Finance Commissioner Dwight Saur, and Public Safety Commissioner George D'Artois. − − + − + − + − + − + − + + +
→Election as mayor
From 1962 to 1970, Allen was the elected public utilities commissioner under the former commission form of municipal government. His colleagues included veteran members [[H. Lane Mitchell]] at public works and John McWilliams Ford at finance, and newcomer George W. D'Artois at public safety, who had unseated the two-term commissioner [[J. Earl Downs]]. Allen cited those eight years of municipal experience when he launched his first mayoral campaign in 1970. Incumbent Democrat Clyde Edward Fant (1905-1973), stepped down after five nonconsecutive terms in part because of health considerations.
From 1962 to 1970, Allen was the elected public utilities commissioner under the former commission form of municipal government. His colleagues included veteran members [[H. Lane Mitchell]] at public works and John McWilliams Ford at finance, and newcomer George W. D'Artois at public safety, who had unseated the two-term commissioner [[J. Earl Downs]]. Allen cited those eight years of municipal experience when he launched his first mayoral campaign in 1970. Incumbent Democrat Clyde Edward Fant (1905-1973), stepped down after five nonconsecutive terms in part because of health considerations.
Allen first won a lopsided victory in the Democratic [[primary]] over KEEL [[radio]] general manager Marie Gifford (1917-2004), a native of [[Oklahoma]] who stressed downtown revitalization and civil rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=94173845|title=Marie Battey Gifford Wright|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=May 8, 2013}}</ref>
Allen first won a lopsided victory in the Democratic [[primary]] over KEEL [[radio]] general manager Marie Gifford (1917-2004), a native of [[Oklahoma]] who stressed downtown revitalization and civil rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=94173845|title=Marie Battey Gifford Wright|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=May 8, 2013}}</ref>
Then in the general election on November 3, 1970, Allen defeated Shreveport businessman Edward Leo "Ed" McGuire (1914-1983), the first Republican since [[Reconstruction]] even to run for Shreveport mayor. A native of [[New England]] and an in-law of Shreveport 1st Judicial District Judge [[Thornton F. Bell]], McGuire was a one term six-year member of the Caddo Parish School Board. He served alongside two other Republicans, [[Billy Guin]] and Joel B. Brown. They were all elected at-large, laetr by specific districts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=McGuire&GSfn=Edward&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=20&GScnty=1117&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=129524082&df=all&|title=Edward Leo McGuire, Jr.|publisher=Findagrave.com|author=Shawn Bohannon|date=May 9, 2014|accessdate=March 3, 2015}}</ref> Allen's margin over McGuire was by landslide proportions, 63-37 percent. He forged a winning coalition of African Americans, blue-collar whites, and local businessmen that would dominate Shreveport politically for most of the remaining years of the 20th century. Elected with Allen in 1970 were Public Utilities Commissioner William A. "Bill" Collins, Public Works Commissioner Donald Edgar Hathaway, Sr., Finance Commissioner Dwight Saur, and Public Safety Commissioner George D'Artois.
Not until 1990 did a Republican, Hazel F. Beard, win the mayor's race. When she stepped down after a single term in 1994, another Republican, Robert W. "Bo" Williams succeeded her. Williams was then unseated by the Democrat Keith Hightower in 1998. Beard is an aunt of long-term Caddo Parish [[Sheriff]] [[Steve Prator]].
Not until 1990 did a Republican, Hazel F. Beard, win the mayor's race. When she stepped down after a single term in 1994, another Republican, Robert W. "Bo" Williams succeeded her. Williams was then unseated by the Democrat Keith Hightower in 1998. Beard is an aunt of long-term Caddo Parish [[Sheriff]] [[Steve Prator]].
Allen led his city during a time of transition and racial moderation. The city population grew, particularly the mostly white outlying residential areas. And new industry came to Shreveport, but critics said it was never sufficient to provide jobs for all who sought work. In time, blacks became the majority of Shreveport's population and a political force of immense proportions within the municipality. Caddo Parish, as a whole, however, remained majority white.
Allen led his city during a time of transition and racial moderation. The city population grew, particularly the mostly white outlying residential areas. And new industry came to Shreveport, but critics said it was never sufficient to provide jobs for all who sought work. In time, blacks became the majority of Shreveport's population and a political force of immense proportions within the municipality. Caddo Parish, as a whole, however, remained majority white.
[[Charles Scott], a native of [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]], Louisiana, began his judicial career in the Allen administration as an assistant city attorney from 1971 to 1973. He was subsequently a long-term state court judge and from 2009 until his death in office on April 22, 2015, the Caddo Parish district attorney.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2015/04/22/da-charles-scott-death-huge-loss/26193017/|title=DA Charles Scott's death 'huge loss' for area|author=John Andrew Prime|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=April 22, 2015|accessdate=April 25, 2015}}</ref>
[[Charles Scott], a native of [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]], Louisiana, began his judicial career in the Allen administration as an assistant city attorney from 1971 to 1973. He was subsequently a long-term state court judge and from 2009 until his death in office on April 22, 2015, the Caddo Parish district attorney.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2015/04/22/da-charles-scott-death-huge-loss/26193017/|title=DA Charles Scott's death 'huge loss' for area|author=John Andrew Prime|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=April 22, 2015|accessdate=April 25, 2015}}</ref>
In 1971, a Republican, [[George A. Burton]], won a [[special election]] in Shreveport for the vacant position of finance commissioner created by the death of Dwight Saur. A Certified Public Accountant, Burton ran again in the regular 1974 elections. That year, he had the tacit support of "independent" Mayor Allen, who swept to an easy reelection. Burton polled 17,488 votes (68.8 percent), while the Democrat (later Republican) David R. Carroll (1926–2011), a [[Mississippi]] native and a Caddo Parish police juror,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=david-r-carroll&pid=152770391|title=David R. Carroll obituary|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=July 27, 2011|accessdate=August 4, 2011}}</ref> received 7,938 ballots (31.2 percent). Burton's running mate, Billy Guin, polled 43.7 percent in his second contest—the first was in 1970—against incumbent Democratic Public Utilities Commissioner William "Bill" Collins, who had succeeded Allen in that position. A civil engineer and a businessman, Guin also entered another special election for utilities commissioner in 1977, when Collins resigned the post. Guin won with 51 percent of the vote and served the remaining year and a half of Collins' second term. He implemented many reforms in the department and then ran unsuccessfully in 1978 as a Republican candidate for mayor under the new form of city government.
In 1971, a Republican, [[George A. Burton]], won a [[special election]] in Shreveport for the vacant position of finance commissioner created by the death of Dwight Saur. A Certified Public Accountant, Burton ran again in the regular 1974 elections. That year, he had the tacit support of "independent" Mayor Allen, who swept to an easy reelection. Burton polled 17,488 votes (68.8 percent), while the Democrat (later Republican) David R. Carroll (1926–2011), a [[Mississippi]] native and a Caddo Parish police juror,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=david-r-carroll&pid=152770391|title=David R. Carroll obituary|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=July 27, 2011|accessdate=August 4, 2011}}</ref> received 7,938 ballots (31.2 percent). Burton's running mate, Billy Guin, polled 43.7 percent in his second contest—the first was in 1970—against incumbent Democratic Public Utilities Commissioner William "Bill" Collins, who had succeeded Allen in that position. A civil engineer and a businessman, Guin also entered another special election for utilities commissioner in 1977, when Collins resigned the post. Guin won with 51 percent of the vote and served the remaining year and a half of Collins' second term. He implemented many reforms in the department and then ran unsuccessfully in 1978 as a Republican candidate for mayor under the new form of city government.
In 1976, Allen joined neighboring Mayor [[James Cathey]] of [[Bossier City]] in hosting [[U.S. President]] [[Gerald Ford]], in a question-and-answer session for local officials. At the time Ford was in Louisiana campaigning against former [[Governor]] [[Ronald W. Reagan]] of [[California]] for the Republican presidential nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/document/diary/pdd760427.pdf|title=The Daily Diary of President Gerald R. Ford|date=April 27, 1976|publisher=fordlibrarymuseum.gov|accessdate=December 24, 2014}}</ref>
In 1976, Allen joined neighboring Mayor [[James Cathey]] of [[Bossier City]] in hosting [[U.S. President]] [[Gerald Ford]], in a question-and-answer session for local officials. At the time Ford was in Louisiana campaigning against former [[Governor]] [[Ronald W. Reagan]] of [[California]] for the Republican presidential nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/document/diary/pdd760427.pdf|title=The Daily Diary of President Gerald R. Ford|date=April 27, 1976|publisher=fordlibrarymuseum.gov|accessdate=December 24, 2014}}</ref>
Allen did not seek a third term in 1978, although he was eligible to have done so. Several factors are believed to have contributed to his decision to step down:<br>
Allen did not seek a third term in 1978, although he was eligible to have done so. Several factors are believed to have contributed to his decision to step down:<br>
* (1) troubles in the public utilities department, which Guin had largely rectified,
* (1) troubles in the public utilities department, which Guin had largely rectified,
* (2) an ill-fated plan to purchase new city water meters, and
* (2) an ill-fated plan to purchase new city water meters, and
* (3) his tenure as a full-time city official had already reached sixteen years.
* (3) his tenure as a full-time city official had already reached sixteen years.
In 1978, Shreveport changed from the commission system to the mayor-council single-member district format with term limits. The newly elected mayor, Democrat William Thomas "Bill" Hanna, Jr., a former [[Ford]] Motor Company automobile dealer who defeated fellow Democrat Don Hathaway, hence exerted executive powers to a "legislative" council of seven members, where a divided 4-3 vote could often prove decisive. Hanna was elected as a "reform" candidate.
In 1978, Shreveport changed from the commission system to the mayor-council single-member district format with term limits. The newly elected mayor, Democrat William Thomas "Bill" Hanna, Jr., a former [[Ford]] Motor Company automobile dealer who defeated fellow Democrat Don Hathaway, hence exerted executive powers to a "legislative" council of seven members, where a divided 4-3 vote could often prove decisive. Hanna was elected as a "reform" candidate.
==Allen's legacy==
==Legacy==
==Personal life==
In addition to his political activities, Allen was a strong civic leader. He was a member of the Louisiana State Fair Board, chairman of the State Fair Stadium Commission, and a commissioner of the since renamed Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. He was vice president of the Red River Valley Association, which pushed successfully for the navigation of the Red River south of Shreveport to the junction with the [[Mississippi River]]. He was a vice president of the Louisiana Municipal Association, chairman of the Shreve Area Council of Government, and a member of the Shreveport Airport Authority and the Parks and Recreation Council. He was a past president of the executive board of the Norwela Council of the [[Boy Scouts]]. Allen was also a member of the ArkLaTex Ambassadors, Holiday in Dixie, Kiwanis International, Joppa Lodge, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.<ref name=obit>''The Shreveport Times,'' February 24, 1991.</ref>
In addition to his political activities, Allen was a strong civic leader. He was a member of the Louisiana State Fair Board, chairman of the State Fair Stadium Commission, and a commissioner of the since renamed Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. He was vice president of the Red River Valley Association, which pushed successfully for the navigation of the Red River south of Shreveport to the junction with the [[Mississippi River]]. He was a vice president of the Louisiana Municipal Association, chairman of the Shreve Area Council of Government, and a member of the Shreveport Airport Authority and the Parks and Recreation Council. He was a past president of the executive board of the Norwela Council of the [[Boy Scouts]]. Allen was also a member of the ArkLaTex Ambassadors, Holiday in Dixie, Kiwanis International, Joppa Lodge, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.<ref name=obit>''The Shreveport Times,'' February 24, 1991.</ref>