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→First term as Minden mayor
==First term as Minden mayor==
==First term as Minden mayor==
Webster Parish historian John A. Agan wrote that "the respect Colten earned in the community where Republicans were practically nonexistent was a great tribute to his character and abilities."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g_t0BgAAQBAJ&pg=PA126&lpg=PA126&dq=Tom+Colten&source=bl&ots=frCU6aVj_E&sig=qa4-IvKaTIzj9BGXTKwRhweGBc0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vTP-VNTKObO1sAS37YHYDg&ved=0CF0Q6AEwDg#v=onepage&q=Tom%20Colten&f=false|title=Lost Minden|author=John A. Agan|publisher=Arcadia Publishing Company|location=Charleston, South Carolina|page=124|date=2014|isbn=978-1-4671-1319-9|accessdate=March 9, 2015}}</ref> Agan described Colten's approach to the office as "more businesslike" than that of his predecessor. Colten courted Democrats and once rode a "Democrat" donkey in a parade after losing a bet. He maintained good relations with [[U.S. Representative]] [[Joe Waggonner]] of Louisiana's 4th congressional district, who had won his seat in 1961 over the Colten-favored Charlton Lyons]], and governor [[Edwin Edwards]], all of which helped to alleviate the impact that Minden faced with cutbacks at the largest nearby employer, the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant, since closed.<ref>John Agan, ''Lost Minden,'' pp. 125-126.</ref>
Webster Parish historian John A. Agan wrote that "the respect Colten earned in the community where Republicans were practically nonexistent was a great tribute to his character and abilities."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g_t0BgAAQBAJ&pg=PA126&lpg=PA126&dq=Tom+Colten&source=bl&ots=frCU6aVj_E&sig=qa4-IvKaTIzj9BGXTKwRhweGBc0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vTP-VNTKObO1sAS37YHYDg&ved=0CF0Q6AEwDg#v=onepage&q=Tom%20Colten&f=false|title=Lost Minden|author=John A. Agan|publisher=Arcadia Publishing Company|location=Charleston, South Carolina|page=124|date=2014|isbn=978-1-4671-1319-9|accessdate=March 9, 2015}}</ref> Agan described Colten's approach to the office as "more businesslike" than that of his predecessor. Colten courted Democrats and once rode a "Democrat" donkey in a parade after losing a bet. He maintained good relations with [[U.S. Representative]] [[Joe Waggonner]] of Louisiana's 4th congressional district, who had won his seat in 1961 over the Colten-favored Charlton Lyons, and governor [[Edwin Edwards]], all of which helped to alleviate the impact that Minden faced with cutbacks at the largest nearby employer, the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant, since closed.<ref>John Agan, ''Lost Minden,'' pp. 125-126.</ref>
Once in office, Colten proposed a one-cent city [[sales tax]] to finance improvement projects, including a new city hall/civic center complex, street paving, fire stations, and parks. The tax passed by only four votes in a [[special election]] held on May 23, 1967: 1,544 to 1,540. Collection of the tax began on August 1.<ref>"Sales tax Squeezes Out Narrow Victory," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' May 24, 1967, p. 1.</ref> McInnis Brothers contractors was low bidder at $740,276 for the city hall/civic center project.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' September 10, 1969, p. 1.</ref> Though there was some expansion from the capital improvements, Minden's population never increased much after the 1960 census, usually in the 12,000 to 13,000 range, but there was sluggish growth in outlying areas to the north. The facility with a week-long celebration in 1971.
Once in office, Colten proposed a one-cent city [[sales tax]] to finance improvement projects, including a new city hall/civic center complex, street paving, fire stations, and parks. The tax passed by only four votes in a [[special election]] held on May 23, 1967: 1,544 to 1,540. Collection of the tax began on August 1.<ref>"Sales tax Squeezes Out Narrow Victory," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' May 24, 1967, p. 1.</ref> McInnis Brothers contractors was low bidder at $740,276 for the city hall/civic center project.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' September 10, 1969, p. 1.</ref> Though there was some expansion from the capital improvements, Minden's population never increased much after the 1960 census, usually in the 12,000 to 13,000 range, but there was sluggish growth in outlying areas to the north. The facility with a week-long celebration in 1971.