Changes

==Political career==

==Political career==

Prior to his election as mayor, Bertrand worked in the [[real estate]] and [[insurance]] fields.​

Prior to his election as mayor, Bertrand worked in the [[real estate]] and [[insurance]] fields.

 

[[Ron Gomez|Ronald J. "Ron" Gomez, Sr.]], who was a young reporter at the time that Bertrand became mayor, recalled that Bertrand was "the perfect match for the time and place. He brought dignity and integrity to the political arena and won the trust of his constituents by delivering on his promises. I was impressed with the fact that he took the time to explain to this young reporter, new on the scene, the intricacies and players of the political network in Lafayette and his personal vision and agenda for its future."<ref>[[Ron Gomez]]​, "Remembering Ray," ''The Independent Weekly," March 16, 2005.</ref>Gomez himself ran for mayor in 1992 but was defeated by the return of Kenny Bowen.

[[Ron Gomez|Ronald J. "Ron" Gomez, Sr.]], who was a young reporter at the time that Bertrand became mayor, recalled that Bertrand was "the perfect match for the time and place. He brought dignity and integrity to the political arena and won the trust of his constituents by delivering on his promises. I was impressed with the fact that he took the time to explain to this young reporter, new on the scene, the intricacies and players of the political network in Lafayette and his personal vision and agenda for its future."<ref>[[Ron Gomez]]​, "Remembering Ray," ''The Independent Weekly,'' March 16, 2005.</ref>Gomez himself lost a hard-fought race for mayor in 1992.

 

Lafayette gained recognition during the Bertrand years for its race relations; there were no serious racial disturbances in the city throughout Bertrand's 12-year tenure. Bertrand also worked to reduce pollution problems by the extension of some 250 miles of sanitary sewer lines. His administration improved drainage and paved or repaved every street in the city. The Bertrand administration was credited with the expansion of electrical generation capacity from 50,000 to 207,000 watts. The capacity of the Lafayette water treatment plant tripled during the Bertrand administration.<ref name=obit/>​

Lafayette gained recognition during the Bertrand years for its race relations; there were no serious racial disturbances in the city throughout Bertrand's 12-year tenure. Bertrand also worked to reduce pollution problems by the extension of some 250 miles of sanitary sewer lines. His administration improved drainage and paved or repaved every street in the city. The Bertrand administration was credited with the expansion of electrical generation capacity from 50,000 to 207,000 watts. The capacity of the Lafayette water treatment plant tripled during the Bertrand administration.<ref name=obit/>

 

Bertrand worked to implement civil service for municipal employees. Lafayette public and cultural facilities were also improved, as new buildings were erected, including a new police department headquarters, a new library, a new city court building, and a planetarium and youth museum.​<ref name=obit/>

Bertrand worked to implement civil service for municipal employees. Lafayette public and cultural facilities were also improved, as new buildings were erected, including a new police department headquarters, a new library, a new city court building, and a planetarium and youth museum.​<ref name=obit/>

 

Bertrand was mayor under the former city commission type of government. His accomplishments gained state recognition, including two "Project Earth" awards for activities and programs related to improving the environment. He was president of the Louisiana Municipal Association and was cited in 1962 as Louisiana's "Mayor of the Year."​<ref name=obit/>

Bertrand was mayor under the former city commission type of government. His accomplishments gained state recognition, including two "Project Earth" awards for activities and programs related to improving the environment. He was president of the Louisiana Municipal Association and was cited in 1962 as Louisiana's "Mayor of the Year."​<ref name=obit/>

 

Bertrand retired undefeated as mayor. In the election of 1972, Democrat [[Kenny Bowen|Kenneth Francis "Kenny" Bowen]] (whom Bertrand had defeated in 1968 when Bowen was a [[Republican Party|Republican]], was elected mayor.​

Bertrand retired undefeated as mayor. In the election of 1972, Democrat [[Kenny Bowen|Kenneth Francis "Kenny" Bowen]] (whom Bertrand had defeated in 1968 when Bowen was a [[Republican Party|Republican]], was elected mayor.​

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On leaving office as mayor, Bertrand joined the Guaranty Bank and Trust Company (now a part of [[Bank One Corporation]]), and served as senior vice president and member of the board of directors. After his retirement from the bank, he continued to manage real estate properties and use his expertise in government to advise and assist boards and commissions working on municipal planning.​<ref name=obit/>

On leaving office as mayor, Bertrand joined the Guaranty Bank and Trust Company (now a part of [[Bank One Corporation]]), and served as senior vice president and member of the board of directors. After his retirement from the bank, he continued to manage real estate properties and use his expertise in government to advise and assist boards and commissions working on municipal planning.​<ref name=obit/>

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==Civic leadership==

==Civic leadership==