Changes

|parents=Donald Edward and Ruth LaVonne Chapman Ater​

|parents=Donald Edward and Ruth LaVonne Chapman Ater​

}}​

}}​

 

'''Alan Ray Ater''' (December 15, 1953 &ndash; May 21, 2017), known as '''Al Ater''', was a [[farmer]] and [[business]]man from Ferriday in Concordia Parish,  [[Louisiana]], who served from 1984 to 1992 as a [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for istrict 21 in the eastern portion of his state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembers1812_2008.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2008|publisher=house.louisiana.gov|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref> He served as interim secretary of state from 2005 through November 2006. He received praise for his handling of the New Orleans mayoral primary in early 2006, when the city was still disrupted from the effects of [[Hurricane Katrina]].

'''Alan Ray Ater''' (December 15, 1953 &ndash; May 21, 2017), known as '''Al Ater''', was a [[farmer]] and [[business]]man from Ferriday in Concordia Parish,  [[Louisiana]], who served from 1984 to 1992 as a [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for istrict 21 in the eastern portion of his state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembers1812_2008.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2008|publisher=house.louisiana.gov|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref> He served as interim secretary of state from 2005 through November 2006. He received praise for his handling of the New Orleans mayoral primary in early 2006, when the city was still disrupted from the effects of [[Hurricane Katrina]].

Al Ater graduated in 1971 from the  private Huntington High School in Ferriday, founded the previous year after the public schools were desegregated. Ferriday High School became nearly all-black in pupil registration. He attended [[Northwestern State University]] in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]].​

Al Ater graduated in 1971 from the  private Huntington High School in Ferriday, founded the previous year after the public schools were desegregated. Ferriday High School became nearly all-black in pupil registration. He attended [[Northwestern State University]] in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]].​

 

==Public office==

==Public office==

First elected at the age of twenty-nine in the 1983 nonpartisan blanket primary, Ater filled the House seat vacated by William B. Atkins, a freshman Democrat from Jonesville in Catahoula Parish. Atkins had defeated Democratic state Senator [[Dan Richey]] of Ferriday. Ater was unopposed for a second term in 1987 but did not run in the primary held in October 1991. He was succeeded by fellow Democrat [[Bryant Hammett]], an [[engineer]], also from Ferriday.​

First elected at the age of twenty-nine in the 1983 nonpartisan blanket primary, Ater filled the House seat vacated by William B. Atkins, a freshman Democrat from Jonesville in Catahoula Parish. Atkins had defeated Democratic state Senator [[Dan Richey]] of Ferriday. Ater was unopposed for a second term in 1987 but did not run in the primary held in October 1991. He was succeeded by fellow Democrat [[Bryant Hammett]], an [[engineer]], also from Ferriday.​

 

In 2001, Ater became the first assistant in the office of Louisiana Secretary of State Walter Fox McKeithen (1946-2005), a Democrat-turned-[[Republican Party|Republican]] and his friend since their legislative days. Ater was influential in merging the elections department into the secretary of state’s office.<ref name=campaigns>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=101065|title=Our Campaigns: Ater, Al|publisher=ourcampaigns.com|accessdate=December 24, 2009}}</ref>​

In 2001, Ater became the first assistant in the office of Louisiana Secretary of State Walter Fox McKeithen (1946-2005), a Democrat-turned-[[Republican Party|Republican]] and his friend since their legislative days. Ater was influential in merging the elections department into the secretary of state's office.<ref name=campaigns>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=101065|title=Our Campaigns: Ater, Al|publisher=ourcampaigns.com|accessdate=December 24, 2009}}</ref>​

 

In 2004, Ater joined the Department of Insurance under commissioner J. Robert Wooley, a Democrat. In March 2005, he returned to McKeithen's office as first assistant. Four months later, upon McKeithen's untimely death from an accidental fall earlier in the year, Ater was appointed as the interim secretary of state.<ref name=campaigns/>

In 2004, Ater joined the Department of Insurance under commissioner J. Robert Wooley, a Democrat. In March 2005, he returned to McKeithen's office as first assistant. Four months later, upon McKeithen's untimely death from an accidental fall earlier in the year, Ater was appointed as the interim secretary of state.<ref name=campaigns/>

As secretary of state, Ater was called upon to monitor the municipal elections in [[New Orleans]] held some eight months after [[Hurricane Katrina]], when the city was still struggling to recover and had many former residents living elsewhere. The primary election was to have been conducted on February 4, 2006. Newspaperman Sam Hanna, Jr. (born 1969), of the ''Ouachita Citizen'' in West Monroe, said that Ater ​

As secretary of state, Ater was called upon to monitor the municipal elections in [[New Orleans]] held some eight months after [[Hurricane Katrina]], when the city was still struggling to recover and had many former residents living elsewhere. The primary election was to have been conducted on February 4, 2006. Newspaperman Sam Hanna, Jr. (born 1969), of the ''Ouachita Citizen'' in West Monroe, said that Ater ​

<blockquote>"oversaw probably the cleanest [[mayor]]'s election in modern times in New Orleans' long, fabled history. ... He mowed down the political establishment on both sides of the aisle, which tried in vain to manipulate the election process in the Crescent City for its own selfish reasons. Yes, Ater stood out as a leader with a backbone among a host of local and state officials, who, quite frankly, have appeared spineless throughout the catastrophe caused by Katrina."<ref name=hanna>{{cite web|url=http://www.ouachitacitizen.com/news.php?id=153|title=What’s Big Al to do next?"|date=July 20, 2006|publisher=Ouachitacitizen.com|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref></blockquote>  

<blockquote>"oversaw probably the cleanest [[mayor]]'s election in modern times in New Orleans' long, fabled history. ... He mowed down the political establishment on both sides of the aisle, which tried in vain to manipulate the election process in the Crescent City for its own selfish reasons. Yes, Ater stood out as a leader with a backbone among a host of local and state officials, who, quite frankly, have appeared spineless throughout the catastrophe caused by Katrina."<ref name=hanna>{{cite web|url=http://www.ouachitacitizen.com/news.php?id=153|title=What’s Big Al to do next?|date=July 20, 2006|publisher=Ouachitacitizen.com|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref></blockquote>  

Former Secretary of State [[James H. "Jim" Brown]], also a Ferriday native, said that he believed the elections could have been held on February 4 and that the delays sought by Ater were unnecessary. Brown said polling locations could be moved as needed and that voting machines could be located elsewhere as required. As secretary of state, Ater questioned a provision of Louisiana law which had required a voter who registered by mail to cast his ballot in person at least once before he could file an [[absentee ballot]]. "I could see the headlines across America right now, They'll say it's another thing that Louisiana can't handle on its own," Ater said.<ref name=katrina>{{cite web|url=http://katrinacoverage.com/2006/02/06/al-ater-courts-may-take-over-election-if-law-unchanged.html|title=Al Ater: Courts may take over election if law unchanged|publisher=Katrinacoverage.com|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref> The law had been intended to protect against voter fraud, but Ater said the hurricane had temporarily changed the dynamics of voting.<ref name=katrina/>​

Former Secretary of State [[James H. "Jim" Brown]], also a Ferriday native, said that he believed the elections could have been held on February 4 and that the delays sought by Ater were unnecessary. Brown said polling locations could be moved as needed and that voting machines could be located elsewhere as required. As secretary of state, Ater questioned a provision of Louisiana law which had required a voter who registered by mail to cast his ballot in person at least once before he could file an [[absentee ballot]]. "I could see the headlines across America right now, They'll say it's another thing that Louisiana can't handle on its own," Ater said.<ref name=katrina>{{cite web|url=http://katrinacoverage.com/2006/02/06/al-ater-courts-may-take-over-election-if-law-unchanged.html|title=Al Ater: Courts may take over election if law unchanged|publisher=Katrinacoverage.com|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref> The law had been intended to protect against voter fraud, but Ater said the hurricane had temporarily changed the dynamics of voting.<ref name=katrina/>​

 

Ater's handling of the election was honored by the Louisiana chapter of Common Cause. Also feted was state Senator Walter Boasso of St. Bernard Parish,  who consolidated the actions of the affected levee boards following the hurricane.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/%7BFB3C17E2-CDD1-4DF6-92BE-BD4429893665%7D/CCLANewsletterSept2006.pdf|title=Louisiana Common Cause Advocate|publisher=commoncause.org|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref>​

Ater's handling of the election was honored by the Louisiana chapter of Common Cause. Also feted was state Senator Walter Boasso of St. Bernard Parish,  who consolidated the actions of the affected levee boards following the hurricane.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/%7BFB3C17E2-CDD1-4DF6-92BE-BD4429893665%7D/CCLANewsletterSept2006.pdf|title=Louisiana Common Cause Advocate|publisher=commoncause.org|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref>​

Ater served until November 2006, when he was succeeded by [[Moderate Republican]] John Leigh "Jay" Dardenne, Jr., the winner of the [[special election]] to fill the vacancy left by McKeithen. Ater was not a candidate in the special election.​

Ater served until November 2006, when he was succeeded by [[Moderate Republican]] John Leigh "Jay" Dardenne, Jr., the winner of the [[special election]] to fill the vacancy left by McKeithen. Ater was not a candidate in the special election.​

 

==Legacy==

==Legacy==

Al Ater farmed [[corn]], [[cotton]], and [[soybean]]s through his Lakeland Planting Company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.linkedin.com/pub/al-ater/a/55b/58b|title=Al Ater|publisher=linkedin.com|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref> He served on the board of the Concordia Parish Farm Bureau and Catalyst Energy in Vidalia.<ref name=campaigns/> He has also farmed near Waterproof in southern Tensas Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/elec2/elec-WATERPROOF-LA.html|title=Waterproof, Louisiana, Political Contributions by Individuals|publisher=city-data.com|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref>​

Al Ater farmed [[corn]], [[cotton]], and [[soybean]]s through his Lakeland Planting Company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.linkedin.com/pub/al-ater/a/55b/58b|title=Al Ater|publisher=linkedin.com|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref> He served on the board of the Concordia Parish Farm Bureau and Catalyst Energy in Vidalia.<ref name=campaigns/> He has also farmed near Waterproof in southern Tensas Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/elec2/elec-WATERPROOF-LA.html|title=Waterproof, Louisiana, Political Contributions by Individuals|publisher=city-data.com|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref>​

 

Ater was an active Democratic Party member, having contributed in 2008 to the campaigns of [[U.S. Senator]] [[Mary Landrieu]], the congressional campaign of Paul Carmouche of [[Shreveport]], senatorial candidate Ronnie Musgrove of [[Mississippi]], and for the defeated Democrat Don Cazayoux in the [[Baton Rouge]]-based 6th congressional district.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/contributions/al-ater.asp?cycle=08|title=Al Ater: Political Campaign Contributions, 2008|publisher=campaignmoney.com|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref>​

Ater was an active Democratic Party member, having contributed in 2008 to the campaigns of [[U.S. Senator]] [[Mary Landrieu]], the congressional campaign of Paul Carmouche of [[Shreveport]], senatorial candidate Ronnie Musgrove of [[Mississippi]], and for the defeated Democrat Don Cazayoux in the [[Baton Rouge]]-based 6th congressional district.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/contributions/al-ater.asp?cycle=08|title=Al Ater: Political Campaign Contributions, 2008|publisher=campaignmoney.com|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref>​

 

Ater and his second wife, the former Susie Beard (born 1958), a pharmacist originally from Vidalia, live on Lake St. John near Ferriday. From a first marriage, he has a daughter, Whitney Lauren Ater (born 1978) of [[California]]. From his second marriage, he has two sons, Thomas Alan (born 1987), and Elliott Andrew Ater (born 1989). Thomas manages the family farming operation while Elliott attended college.​

Ater and his second wife, the former Susie Beard (born 1958), a pharmacist originally from Vidalia, live on Lake St. John near Ferriday. From a first marriage, he has a daughter, Whitney Lauren Ater (born 1978) of [[California]]. From his second marriage, he has two sons, Thomas Alan (born 1987), and Elliott Andrew Ater (born 1989). Thomas manages the family farming operation while Elliott attended college.​

 

Sam Hanna, Jr. (born 1969), son of the late publisher Samuel Andrew "Sam" Hanna, Sr. (1933-2006), commented on why Ater walked away from ​

Sam Hanna, Jr. (born 1969), son of the late publisher Samuel Andrew "Sam" Hanna, Sr. (1933-2006), commented on why Ater walked away from ​

<blockquote>a promising political career more than 20 years in the making [to] head home to Concordia Parish -- to Ferriday -- to farm some six thousand acres of land and tend to his other business interests? Well, Ater's no fool, and he recognized a dead-end job when he saw it in serving as secretary of state, especially on the heels of his performance during one of Louisiana's darkest moments. It's always best to leave while you're on top.<ref name=hanna/></blockquote>​

<blockquote>a promising political career more than 20 years in the making [to] head home to Concordia Parish -- to Ferriday -- to farm some six thousand acres of land and tend to his other business interests? Well, Ater's no fool, and he recognized a dead-end job when he saw it in serving as secretary of state, especially on the heels of his performance during one of Louisiana's darkest moments. It's always best to leave while you're on top.<ref name=hanna/></blockquote>​

​In 2009, Ater was among inductees honored in the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lapoliticalmuseum.com/inductees.php?viewID=64|title=Political Hall of Fame: Al Ater|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref>​

In 2009, Ater was among inductees honored in the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lapoliticalmuseum.com/inductees.php?viewID=64|title=Political Hall of Fame: Al Ater|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref>​

 

==References==

==References==