Block, Upload, Automoderated users, edit, move, protect, rollback
57,799
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 44:
Line 44: − + + Line 51:
Line 52: − + Line 78:
Line 79: − +
→Occupation and family
In 1970, Lastrapes became a public relations officer of the former Guaranty Bank and Trust Company in Lafayette, later Chase Bank. In 1973, he went into the health and life [[insurance]] business. He worked in that capacity until he became mayor. He returned to his insurance business in 1992, after his mayoral service ended.
In 1970, Lastrapes became a public relations officer of the former Guaranty Bank and Trust Company in Lafayette, later Chase Bank. In 1973, he went into the health and life [[insurance]] business. He worked in that capacity until he became mayor. He returned to his insurance business in 1992, after his mayoral service ended.
==Lastrapes and Bowen==
==Lastrapes and Bowen==
Lastrapes was reelected to a second six-year term on the school board in 1978, but he left after two years to become mayor. In 1979, he ran for aseat in the state Senate in the nonpartisan blanket primary. Though he polled more than 10,000 votes, he finished third, and the seat was won in the [[general election]] by the pro-life [[Allen Bares]], who defeated fellow Democrat Pat Juneau, 54-46 percent.<ref>[[Ron Gomez]], ''My Name Is Ron And I'm a Recovering Legislator: Memoirs of a Louisiana State Representative'' ([[Lafayette]], [[Louisiana]]: Zemog Publishing, 2000, ISBN 0-9700156-0-7), p. 37.</ref>
Lastrapes was reelected to a second six-year term on the school board in 1978, but he left after two years to become mayor. In 1979, he ran for aseat in the state Senate in the nonpartisan blanket primary. Though he polled more than 10,000 votes, he finished third, and the seat was won in the [[general election]] by the pro-life [[Allen Bares]], who defeated fellow Democrat Pat Juneau, 54-46 percent.<ref>[[Ron Gomez]], ''My Name Is Ron And I'm a Recovering Legislator: Memoirs of a Louisiana State Representative'' ([[Lafayette]], [[Louisiana]]: Zemog Publishing, 2000, ISBN 0-9700156-0-7), p. 37.</ref>
Ironically, Bowen had been the unsuccessful Republican mayoral nominee in 1968. Bowen was defeated that year by 1,322 votes by the popular Democratic Mayor J. Rayburn Bertrand (1918-2005). Bowen was then elected in 1972, with 62 percent of the vote over three opponents in the then still closed Democratic primary. He was reelected in 1976. He won a third term in 1992 and succeeded Lastrapes, who did not seek reelection.
Ironically, Bowen had been the unsuccessful Republican mayoral nominee in 1968. Bowen was defeated that year by 1,322 votes by the popular Democratic Mayor J. Rayburn Bertrand (1918-2005). Bowen was then elected in 1972, with 62 percent of the vote over three opponents in the then still closed Democratic primary. He was reelected in 1976. He won a third term in 1992 and succeeded Lastrapes, who did not seek reelection.
==Mr. Republican Mayor==
==Mr. Republican Mayor==
Under the Lastrapes administration, Lafayette annexed some thirteen square miles of area. The city grew rapidly from 1980–1984, and then there was a slowdown in the important [[oil]] industry. Lafayette rebounded in the late 1980s and attracted some new industries and expansion of existing ones. On March 18, 1983, Lastrapes recommended to the Lafayette City Council the construction of a four-lane river crossing at the Camellia Boulevard on the city's south side. After years of studies, protests, and delays, construction was completed in 2003.
Under the Lastrapes administration, Lafayette annexed some thirteen square miles of area. The city grew rapidly from 1980–1984, and then there was a slowdown in the important [[oil]] industry. Lafayette rebounded in the late 1980s and attracted some new industries and expansion of existing ones. On March 18, 1983, Lastrapes recommended to the Lafayette City Council the construction of a four-lane river crossing at the Camellia Boulevard on the city's south side. After years of studies, protests, and delays, construction was completed in 2003.
==Lastrapes' affiliations==
==Lastrapes' affiliations==
Lastrapes was listed in 1984 as a member of the [[Council for National Policy]], a conservative think-tank begun by the Louisiana Republican (then a Democrat) [[Woody Jenkins|Louis E. "Woody" Jenkins]] intended to be a balance to the [[Council on Foreign Relations]]. Another Louisiana Republican who joined the group was state Representative Arthur William Sour, Jr., (1924–2000) of Shreveport, who legislative service parallels the mayoral years of Mayor Lastrapes. Still another was state Representative and later state Senator [[Dan Richey]], formerly of Ferriday in Concordia Parish.
Lastrapes was listed in 1984 as a member of the [[Council for National Policy]], a conservative think-tank begun by the Louisiana Republican (then a Democrat) [[Woody Jenkins]] intended to be a balance to the [[Council on Foreign Relations]]. Another Louisiana Republican who joined the group was state Representative Arthur William Sour, Jr., (1924–2000) of Shreveport, who legislative service parallels the mayoral years of Mayor Lastrapes. Still another was state Representative and later state Senator [[Dan Richey]], formerly of Ferriday in Concordia Parish.
A [[Roman Catholic]], Lastrapes is a member of Lafayette [[Right to Life]]. He was active in [[Little League]] baseball, when his sons were players. He is a veteran member of Rotary International and has been active in blood donor drives. He is also a [[cancer]] survivor.
A [[Roman Catholic]], Lastrapes is a member of Lafayette [[Right to Life]]. He was active in [[Little League]] baseball, when his sons were players. He is a veteran member of Rotary International and has been active in blood donor drives. He is also a [[cancer]] survivor.