Changes

==Election as mayor==

==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 Wendell D'Artois, Jr. (1925-1977), at public safety, who in 1962 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 Wendell D'Artois, Jr. (1925-1977), at public safety, who in 1962 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 Fant]], 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>

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.​

​

​

==Personal life==

==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>​