Block, Upload, Automoderated users, edit, move, protect, rollback
57,799
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 85:
Line 85: − + − + Line 105:
Line 105: − +
→Political career
Michot charged that Dodd had injected "cronyism" in the department and overloaded it with useless administrators. Michot used an apple as his logo, with the intention of putting students and teachers first in the educational process. He led in the primary balloting and forced Dodd into a second primary. The discouraged Dodd, however, withdrew from the runoff primary, and Michot became the automatic Democratic nominee. Michot then faced only the second Republican ever to contest the superintendency.
Michot charged that Dodd had injected "cronyism" in the department and overloaded it with useless administrators. Michot used an apple as his logo, with the intention of putting students and teachers first in the educational process. He led in the primary balloting and forced Dodd into a second primary. The discouraged Dodd, however, withdrew from the runoff primary, and Michot became the automatic Democratic nominee. Michot then faced only the second Republican ever to contest the superintendency.
Michot's opponent in the general election was Republican [[Robert Frye]], a native of Shongaloo in central Webster Parish and an education professor at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. After Michot unseated Dodd, Frye telephoned him to offer congratulations. A few weeks later, Frye alleged that Michot had operated with his brother a bar in Lafayette and had offered Frye a high level job in a new Michot education department if Frye would withdraw from the contest. Michot denied the charges and easily prevailed,<ref>"Frye Released Papers Say Michot Unethical," ''Minden Press-Herald'', January 27, 1972, p. 1.</ref> 662,597 votes (63.5 percent) to Frye's 380,896 (36.5 percent). Frye carried East Baton Rouge Parish and five north Louisiana parishes, including the Long ancestral stronghold of Winn Parish.<ref>State of Louisiana, Secretary of State, General election returns, February 1, 1972.</ref>
Michot's opponent in the general election was Republican [[Robert Frye]], a native of Shongaloo in central Webster Parish and an education professor at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. After Michot unseated Dodd, Frye telephoned him to offer congratulations. A few weeks later, Frye alleged that Michot had operated with his brother a bar in Lafayette and had offered Frye a high level job in a new Michot education department if Frye would withdraw from the contest. Michot denied the charges and easily prevailed,<ref>"Frye Released Papers Say Michot Unethical," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' January 27, 1972, p. 1.</ref> 662,597 votes (63.5 percent) to Frye's 380,896 (36.5 percent). Frye carried East Baton Rouge Parish and five north Louisiana parishes, including the Long ancestral stronghold of Winn Parish.<ref>State of Louisiana, Secretary of State, General election returns, February 1, 1972.</ref>
According to his faith in free enterprise, Michot promoted "career education" as superintendent.<ref name=obit/> One of his assistant superintendents with duties in special education, was later Superintendent [[Thomas G. Clausen]], a native of St. Mary Parish then from [[Baton Rouge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parlouisiana.org/s3web/1002087/docs/Constitutional%20Amendment%20Archive/CA1979_Sept.pdf|title=Thomas G. Clausen, p. 18|publisher=parlouisiana.org|accessdate=October 8, 2013}}</ref> Michot was defeated for a second term in 1975 by his fellow Democrat, J. Kelly Nix, the first executive assistant to Governor [[Edwin Edwards]] and originally from West Carroll Parish. In 1984, Nix was succeeded as the last of the elected superintendents by [[Thomas G. Clausen]].
According to his faith in free enterprise, Michot promoted "career education" as superintendent.<ref name=obit/> One of his assistant superintendents with duties in special education, was later Superintendent [[Thomas G. Clausen]], a native of St. Mary Parish then from [[Baton Rouge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parlouisiana.org/s3web/1002087/docs/Constitutional%20Amendment%20Archive/CA1979_Sept.pdf|title=Thomas G. Clausen, p. 18|publisher=parlouisiana.org|accessdate=October 8, 2013}}</ref> Michot was defeated for a second term in 1975 by his fellow Democrat, J. Kelly Nix, the first executive assistant to Governor [[Edwin Edwards]] and originally from West Carroll Parish. In 1984, Nix was succeeded as the last of the elected superintendents by Tom Clausen.
==The Republican Michots==
==The Republican Michots==
Michot's involvement with the International Good Neighbor Council as past president took him into Mexico over a three-decade period. He was a key fundraiser for the 75-bed Tarahumara Children's Hospital in northwestern Mexico and a strong supporter of private and religious charities worldwide.<ref name=obit/>
Michot's involvement with the International Good Neighbor Council as past president took him into Mexico over a three-decade period. He was a key fundraiser for the 75-bed Tarahumara Children's Hospital in northwestern Mexico and a strong supporter of private and religious charities worldwide.<ref name=obit/>
Michot once said that he is especially inspired by the life of [[J.C. Penney]], who succeeded in business without a formal education. Michot said that his own philosophy is essentially this: "Promote the general welfare of the people through the private enterprise system. That's what I believe in, because businesses create jobs." He also cites hard work, determination, and taking advantage of the opportunities that one is offered.
Michot once said that he is especially inspired by the life of [[J.C. Penney]], who succeeded in business without a formal education. Michot said that his own philosophy is essentially this: "Promote the general welfare of the people through the private enterprise system. That's what I believe in, because businesses create jobs." He also cites hard work, determination, and taking advantage of the opportunities that one is offered.
Lafayette businesswoman and university official Jean T. Kreamer said that Michot has "been an inspiration to so many people of all ages in the community." She described his entrepreneurship as "astute" and his business ventures as a "sense of fun. He has certainly inspired me with his feeling of giving back to the community."
Lafayette businesswoman and university official Jean T. Kreamer said that Michot has "been an inspiration to so many people of all ages in the community." She described his entrepreneurship as "astute" and his business ventures as a "sense of fun. He has certainly inspired me with his feeling of giving back to the community."