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'''Carroll Edwin Lanier''' (November 8, 1926 &ndash;  December 4, 2012) was an [[United States|American]] [[politician]] who served an extended term as [[mayor]] of [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], [[Louisiana]]. Lanier's term extended to 5.5 years from June 1977 to December 1982. A [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], he was the first mayor under the mayor-council]form of municipal government, which in 1977 replaced the former three-member city commission The initial term under the new charter was extended by a year-and-a-half in order to coincide with the regular 1982 elections.<ref name=lanier/>​

'''Carroll Edwin Lanier''' (November 8, 1926 &ndash;  December 4, 2012) was an [[United States|American]] [[politician]] who served an extended term as [[mayor]] of [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], [[Louisiana]]. Lanier's term extended to 5.5 years from June 1977 to December 1982. A [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], he was the first mayor under the mayor-council]form of municipal government, which in 1977 replaced the former three-member city commission The initial term under the new charter was extended by a year-and-a-half in order to coincide with the regular 1982 elections.<ref name=lanier/>​

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Lanier was born to Morrell B. Lanier (1897-1980) and the former Effie Sivals (1901-1975) in Hamburg  in Ashley County in southeastern [[Arkansas]]. He outlived his parents, a brother, and three sisters. The family relocated to Alexandria when Carroll was eleven years of age. Lanier joined the [[United States Navy]] during [[World War II]] prior to his graduation from Bolton High School]in Alexandria. An electrical contractor, Lanier was in business with his brother in the company, Lanier Electric.<ref name=lanier/><ref name=obit/>​

Lanier was born to Morrell B. Lanier (1897-1980) and the former Effie Sivals (1901-1975) in Hamburg  in Ashley County in southeastern [[Arkansas]]. He outlived his parents, a brother, and three sisters. The family relocated to Alexandria when Carroll was eleven years of age. Lanier joined the [[United States Navy]] during [[World War II]] prior to his graduation from Bolton High School]in Alexandria. An electrical contractor, Lanier was in business with his brother in the company, Lanier Electric.<ref name=lanier/><ref name=obit/>​

 

From 1969 to 1973, he was the Alexandria finance and utilities commissioner, having been elected over the long-term incumbent, fellow Democrat Leroy Wilson (1905–1978).<ref name=lanier/> In 1973, however, as consumer electric bills climbed, voters replaced Lanier with [[business]]man and [[attorney]] [[Arnold Jack Rosenthal]], a Democrat who had vowed to bring down the utility rates. Alexandria is one a dozen or more Louisiana cities in which the municipal government owns and operates the utilities systems. The cities derive a portion of their operations funds from profit in the sale of utilities. Rosenthal was unable to enact major reductions because of steady increases in the fuel adjustment rate brought about by hikes in the price of [[natural gas]], a fuel used to produce electricity.​

From 1969 to 1973, he was the Alexandria finance and utilities commissioner, having been elected over the long-term incumbent, fellow Democrat Leroy Wilson (1905–1978).<ref name=lanier/> In 1973, however, as consumer electric bills climbed, voters replaced Lanier with [[business]]man and [[attorney]] [[Arnold Jack Rosenthal]], a Democrat who had vowed to bring down the utility rates. Alexandria is one a dozen or more Louisiana cities in which the municipal government owns and operates the utilities systems. The cities derive a portion of their operations funds from profit in the sale of utilities. Rosenthal was unable to enact major reductions because of steady increases in the fuel adjustment rate brought about by hikes in the price of [[natural gas]], a fuel used to produce electricity.​

 

==Mayoral years==​

==Mayoral years==​

In 1977, Lanier scored a political comeback, not for utilities commissioner, for that position had been abolished in the new city charter. Instead, he ran for mayor in a multi-candidate nonpartisan blanket [[primary]]. He forced controversial Mayor [[John K. Snyder]] into a runoff contest, which called the [[general election]] in Louisiana.<ref name=lanier/> Eliminated in the primary were [[Champ Baker]], a planning and development official active in veterans' causes; Judith Ward-Steinman Karst, the then wife of former Mayor [[Ed Karst]], outgoing Finance and Utilities Commissioner Arnold Jack Rosenthal, and former state Representative Larry Parker. In the second round of balloting, Lanier topped Snyder, 8,420votes  (68 percent) to 3,934  (32 percent). Upon taking office, Mayor Lanier removed eavesdropping devices that Snyder had installed throughout Alexandria City Hall. When Snyder refused to surrender his municipal car, Lanier had the payroll office withhold Snyder's final paycheck until the vehicle was returned to the city.<ref name=lanier/>​

In 1977, Lanier scored a political comeback, not for utilities commissioner, for that position had been abolished in the new city charter. Instead, he ran for mayor in a multi-candidate nonpartisan blanket [[primary]]. He forced controversial Mayor [[John K. Snyder]] into a runoff contest, which called the [[general election]] in Louisiana.<ref name=lanier/> Eliminated in the primary were [[Champ Baker]], a planning and development official active in veterans' causes; Judith Ward-Steinman Karst, the then wife of former Mayor [[Ed Karst]], outgoing Finance and Utilities Commissioner Arnold Jack Rosenthal, and former state Representative Larry Parker. In the second round of balloting, Lanier topped Snyder, 8,420votes  (68 percent) to 3,934  (32 percent). Upon taking office, Mayor Lanier removed eavesdropping devices that Snyder had installed throughout Alexandria City Hall. When Snyder refused to surrender his municipal car, Lanier had the payroll office withhold Snyder's final paycheck until the vehicle was returned to the city.<ref name=lanier/>​

 

Lanier retained the outgoing Streets and Parks Commissioner [[Malcolm Hébert]], a registered mechanical [[engineer]], as the head of the new Department of Public Works under the city charter.​

Lanier retained the outgoing Streets and Parks Commissioner [[Malcolm Hébert]], a registered mechanical [[engineer]], as the head of the new Department of Public Works under the city charter.​

After Hébert left the post, Lanier named as the replacement Anthony S. "Tony" D'Angelo (1917-2012), an Alexandria native, 30-year veteran of the United States Navy, and the former manager of the Rapides Parish Coliseum.<ref>Obituary of Anthony D'Angelo, ''The Alexandria Town Talk,'' April 22, 2012.</ref>​

After Hébert left the post, Lanier named as the replacement Anthony S. "Tony" D'Angelo (1917-2012), an Alexandria native, 30-year veteran of the United States Navy, and the former manager of the Rapides Parish Coliseum.<ref>Obituary of Anthony D'Angelo, ''The Alexandria Town Talk,'' April 22, 2012.</ref>​

 

Lanier pleased the business community through his attempt to move the city forward economically. He hired [[Ray R. Allen]], the secretary-treasurer since 1963 who had been dismissed by Snyder in the waning days of that administration, as the new finance director under the mayor-council government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20100407/NEWS01/100407042/-1/NEWSFRONT2/Ray+Allen++former+city+of+Alexandria+finance+director++dies+at+age+of+89|title=Ray Allen, former city of Alexandria finance director, dies at age of 89|publisher=''Alexandria Daily Town Talk''|date=April 7, 2010}}</ref>​

Lanier pleased the business community through his attempt to move the city forward economically. He hired [[Ray R. Allen]], the secretary-treasurer since 1963 who had been dismissed by Snyder in the waning days of that administration, as the new finance director under the mayor-council government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20100407/NEWS01/100407042/-1/NEWSFRONT2/Ray+Allen++former+city+of+Alexandria+finance+director++dies+at+age+of+89|title=Ray Allen, former city of Alexandria finance director, dies at age of 89|publisher=''Alexandria Daily Town Talk''|date=April 7, 2010}}</ref>

 

Mayor Lanier oversaw the construction of the downtown Alexander Fulton Minipark, named for [[Alexander Fulton]], the founder of Alexandria. He secured federal grant money that resulted in the establishment of the Alexander Fulton Inn, which includes downtown convention facilities.<ref name=lanier>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20121205/NEWS01/212050317/Former-Alexandria-Mayor-Carroll-Lanier-dies-86?|author=Cynthia D. Jardon|title=Former Alexandria Mayor Carroll Lanier dies at 86|publisher=''The Alexandria  Town Talk''|accessdate=December 5, 2012}}</ref>​

Mayor Lanier oversaw the construction of the downtown Alexander Fulton Minipark, named for [[Alexander Fulton]], the founder of Alexandria. He secured federal grant money that resulted in the establishment of the Alexander Fulton Inn, which includes downtown convention facilities.<ref name=lanier>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20121205/NEWS01/212050317/Former-Alexandria-Mayor-Carroll-Lanier-dies-86?|author=Cynthia D. Jardon|title=Former Alexandria Mayor Carroll Lanier dies at 86|publisher=''The Alexandria  Town Talk''|accessdate=December 5, 2012}}</ref>​

 

Under Lanier, the decision was made to route the north-south Interstate 49 through downtown Alexandria instead of twenty miles to the west, as many had presumed would have been the better location from an engineering standpoint. The revised Jackson Street Bridge atop the  Red River proceeded under Lanier. It is named for the late [[U.S. Representative]] [[Gillis Long]] of Alexandria. Lanier supported the construction of the performing arts center downtown, named for civic figure [[F. Hugh Coughlin]], which was not completed until the administration of later Mayor Edward Gordon "Ned" Randolph, Jr. (1942-2016).<ref name=lanier/>​

Under Lanier, the decision was made to route the north-south Interstate 49 through downtown Alexandria instead of twenty miles to the west, as many had presumed would have been the better location from an engineering standpoint. The revised Jackson Street Bridge atop the  Red River proceeded under Lanier. It is named for the late [[U.S. Representative]] [[Gillis Long]] of Alexandria. Lanier supported the construction of the performing arts center downtown, named for civic figure [[F. Hugh Coughlin]], which was not completed until the administration of later Mayor Edward Gordon "Ned" Randolph, Jr. (1942-2016).<ref name=lanier/>​

 

Lanier supported the building of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center and the Bolton Community Center. He worked to pave forty-five streets in the [[African-American]] community. Under Lanier, the first black firefighters and the first female bus drivers were hired.<ref name=lanier/>​

Lanier supported the building of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center and the Bolton Community Center. He worked to pave forty-five streets in the [[African-American]] community. Under Lanier, the first black firefighters and the first female bus drivers were hired.<ref name=lanier/>

 

In time, however, voters again soured on Lanier. Economic difficulties dominated local, state, and national news in 1982, and Alexandria was hard-hit by the [[petroleum]] slump. Faced with declining city revenues, utility rates crept upward again. Lanier imposed a hiring freeze on new city employees. He further ordered the 923 city employees to work only thirty-two hours per week, instead of the customary forty hours, with a one-fifth cut in gross pay. The proposed work reduction was, however, struck down as an abuse of mayoral authority by 9th Judicial District Court Judge [[William Culpepper]]. Lanier particularly angered sanitation workers when he declared that their pace of work was too slow and threatened to privatize the department unless their overall efficiency improved.​

In time, however, voters again soured on Lanier. Economic difficulties dominated local, state, and national news in 1982, and Alexandria was hard-hit by the [[petroleum]] slump. Faced with declining city revenues, utility rates crept upward again. Lanier imposed a hiring freeze on new city employees. He further ordered the 923 city employees to work only thirty-two hours per week, instead of the customary forty hours, with a one-fifth cut in gross pay. The proposed work reduction was, however, struck down as an abuse of mayoral authority by 9th Judicial District Court Judge [[William Culpepper]]. Lanier particularly angered sanitation workers when he declared that their pace of work was too slow and threatened to privatize the department unless their overall efficiency improved.​

 

In seeking reelection, Lanier urged constituents to be patient regarding utility rates because the city had signed an agreement with the Central Louisiana Electric Company of [[Pineville, Louisiana|Pineville]] to purchase coal-fired power from the new Rodemacher facility near Boyce in northern Rapides Parish. Voters, however, rallied once more behind Snyder, who unseated Lanier, much to the consternation of the Alexandria business establishment who feared Snyder's often erratic ways.<ref name=lanier/>​

In seeking reelection, Lanier urged constituents to be patient regarding utility rates because the city had signed an agreement with the Central Louisiana Electric Company of [[Pineville, Louisiana|Pineville]] to purchase coal-fired power from the new Rodemacher facility near Boyce in northern Rapides Parish. Voters, however, rallied once more behind Snyder, who unseated Lanier, much to the consternation of the Alexandria business establishment who feared Snyder's often erratic ways.<ref name=lanier/>​

 

Lanier ran once more for mayor in 1986, when Snyder declined to seek a third nonconsecutive term, but he polled only 912 votes (5 percent). The position went instead to former state Representative and state Senator Ned Randolph, who served for a record twenty years.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Primary election returns, September 27, 1986.</ref>​

Lanier ran once more for mayor in 1986, when Snyder declined to seek a third nonconsecutive term, but he polled only 912 votes (5 percent). The position went instead to former state Representative and state Senator Ned Randolph, who served for a record twenty years.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Primary election returns, September 27, 1986.</ref>​

 

==Later years==​

==Later years==​

From 1988 until his retirement in 2000, former Mayor Lanier was the executive director of the Alexandria Housing Authority.<ref name=obit/>​

From 1988 until his retirement in 2000, former Mayor Lanier was the executive director of the Alexandria Housing Authority.<ref name=obit/>​

 

Lanier died at the Grace Home in Alexandria at the age of eighty-six.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thetowntalk/obituary.aspx?n=carroll-e-lanier&pid=161488119&fhid=11989|title=Carroll E. Lanier obituary|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|date= December 5, 2012|accessdate=December 5, 2012}}</ref> He was interred on December 7, 2012 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Ball, north of Pineville.​

Lanier died at the Grace Home in Alexandria at the age of eighty-six.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thetowntalk/obituary.aspx?n=carroll-e-lanier&pid=161488119&fhid=11989|title=Carroll E. Lanier obituary|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|date= December 5, 2012|accessdate=December 5, 2012}}</ref> He is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Ball, north of Pineville.​

 

Lanier was survived by his wife, Winifred C. "Wendy" Lanier (born February 26, 1930); two daughters, Kathy Lanier Miller and Theresa Louise Lanier Massey (born 1961), and a son, Steve C. Lanier (born 1954). Another son, Brian D. Lanier<ref name=obit/> (1958-1977),<ref name=obit/> was killed in an accident at the age of nineteen, four months before his father's election as mayor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ssdmf.info/by_birthdate/19580103.html|title=Persons born January 3, 1958 in the Social Security Death Master File, November 30, 2011|publisher=ssdmf.info|accessdate=December 7, 2012}}</ref>​

Lanier was survived by his wife, Winifred C. "Wendy" Lanier (born February 26, 1930); two daughters, Kathy Lanier Miller and Theresa Louise Lanier Massey (born 1961), and a son, Steve C. Lanier (born 1954). Another son, Brian D. Lanier<ref name=obit/> (1958-1977),<ref name=obit/> was killed in an accident at the age of nineteen, four months before his father's election as mayor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ssdmf.info/by_birthdate/19580103.html|title=Persons born January 3, 1958 in the Social Security Death Master File, November 30, 2011|publisher=ssdmf.info|accessdate=December 7, 2012}}</ref>​

 

Marion Chaney, one of the first two at-large members of the Alexandria City Council under the current municipal charter with service from 1977 to 1986, said of Lanier:

Marion Chaney, who from 1977 to 1986, was one of the first two at-large members of the Alexandria City Council under the current municipal charter, said on Lanier's death:

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==References==

==References==

{{reflist}}​

{{reflist}}​​

''The Alexandria Town Talk,'' February 7, March 3, 4, April 3, May 4, 8, and July 20, 1982​.

''The Alexandria Town Talk,'' February 7, March 3, 4, April 3, May 4, 8, and July 20, 1982​.

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