LMR_November

President’s Message
OUR RICH HISTORY
BY MAYOR HARRY LEWIS, TOWN OF RAYVILLE
How much do you know about
the rich history of this great
organization? My research has
showed that we had leaders with
vision, dedication, determination
and service. Their ultimate goal was
the same as ours is today - to provide the best service
possible to each village, town, and city in Louisiana.
LMA began in 1926 as the Louisiana Conference of
Mayors with Mayor F.L. Foisy of Alexandria as president
and Mayor L.E. Thomas as second vice president. The
organization consisted of 29 towns and cities of Louisiana.
In 1929, the stock market crashed causing economic
calamity and as a result, the organization folded.
Our organization would not be defeated. In 1937, efforts
to reorganize began with great results. By-laws and
a constitution were adopted. Mayor S.S. Caldwell of
Shreveport became president. In 1938, Leon Booth of
Shreveport became editor of the Louisiana Municipal
Review. This is still our official journal. It is an outstanding
communication tool that keeps our membership abreast
of newsworthy events and announcements around the
state.
In 1941, Joseph Reid, Jr., the first executive secretary of
the organization accomplished three major changes: (1)
the organization’s name changed to Louisiana Municipal
Association; (2) revamped dues schedule; and (3) hired a
full-time executive secretary. In addition, the concept of
regional meetings was employed to bring officers of each
area of the state together to discuss common problems.
Using this model, the LMA was successful in legislative
achievements as well as increased membership.
In the 40’s and 50’s, as the quality and scope of services
to the membership grew, so did the membership in LMA.
An increase in the number of municipal incorporations
grew. The association expanded the development of
organizations of affiliated professionals with functions
related to municipal governments. Networking and
partnering with affiliates were extremely beneficial to the
success of LMA and each affiliate.
Sidney Gray was president from 1959 to 1960. It was
during his tenure that the LMA’s headquarters was
relocated to the Jack Tar Capitol House Hotel in
downtown Baton Rouge. The Louisiana Municipal Laws,
containing over 600 pages of legal information pertaining
to municipal government, was published; and, the
Louisiana Achievement Awards and Service Awards were
instituted.
In 1963, R. Gordon Kean of Baton Rouge was appointed
LMA’s legal counsel. He rendered dedicated legal service
to the association and provided legal assistance to many
municipalities which had no other source to obtain legal
representation.
From 1969 to 1973, Marvin Lyons led the organization as
executive director and helped elevate it to new levels. In
1973, Charles Pasqua would become the LMA executive
director for the next twenty years. Under his leadership
the membership grew by leaps and bounds. As the
LMA’s presence in political affairs grew, interpersonal
relationships among municipalities, parish, state and
federal government improved. A self-insurance and
risk management program was created. Pasqua also
spearheaded efforts to plan and build an office building
for the association.
L. Gordon King assumed the executive director’s position
in 1994. His focus was on being more responsive to the
members’ needs and on the promotion of innovativeness
as a key to municipal advancement. King established the
Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities
and Community Development Authority (LCDA) and
the Louisiana Municipal Advisory and Technical Services
Bureau (LaMATS). Both were new programs designed to
assist with financing and technological needs.
Tom McHugh became executive director in 2001, and
in 2006 LMA celebrated its 80th year of existence. His
goals were to strengthen the ties between municipal
governments and state and federal government.
In 2014, Ronnie Harris of Gretna was named LMA
executive director. The association continued to grow
under his leadership.
In October 2016, John Gallagher became executive
director of the LMA. I was honored to be elected LMA
President in August, 2018.
It is now up to us to continue the legacy of these great
leaders. We are charged with the responsibility to provide
quality service to our municipalities; to help shape
positive legislation that benefits each town, village, and
city; to provide training and technology where needed; to
grow our membership; and to provide leadership second
to none.
On our watch, we want history to record that LMA is
not only a mighty organization, but also a family that
genuinely cares about our country, state, villages, town
cities, and each other. God Bless You!
Page 4
LMR | November 2018