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Joseph Michael Sampite', known as Joe Sampite' (January 22, 1931 – May 18, 2012) was a Louisiana politician known for promotion of his adopted hometown of Natchitoches, of which he served as the mayor from 1980 to 2000. ==Political career== A colorful figure, Sampite' wore white socks, a habit begun during his early days as a coach. He distributed "I Love Natchitoches" stickers by the thousands during his twenty years in municipal office and was instrumental in bringing the filming to Natchitoches of Dolly Parton's ''Steel Magnolias''.〔Coincidentally, the year that Sampite graduated from Northwestern, another picture was filmed in Natchitoches, John Wayne's ''The Horse Soldiers''.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Personalities Along the Cane )〕 In his first election as mayor in 1980, Sampite', a native of New Orleans, defeated the one-term incumbent Robert DeBlieux. As mayor, he expanded the city's fire and police departments and recreation program and directed major improvements in infrastructure and the Natchitoches airport.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Joe Sampite obituary )〕 As the president of the Louisiana Municipal Association from 1986 to 1987, he was the first recipient of that organization's President's Award. At the turn of the 21st century, the ''Shreveport Times'' named Sampite among its "Top 100 Influential People in Northwest Louisiana." In 2000, he was inducted into the Northwestern State University Hall of Distinction, or Long Purple Line, the highest designation for alumni.〔 In 2002, he was named to the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Political Hall of Fame )〕 Mayor Sampite' was profiled in the ''The Oxford American'' magazine in an article entitled "No Ordinary Joe." He received numerous other honors, including "Man of the Year" awards from the Natchitoches Parish Chamber of Commerce, Natchitoches Junior Chamber, and the Louisiana Parks and Recreation Association. He was a member of the American Legion, the group Founders of Natchitoches, and the Roman Catholic men's organization, the Knights of Columbus.〔 A Democrat, Sampite' did not seek reelection to a sixth term in the municipal election held in the spring of 2000. Two Democrats competed in the runoff election held on April 15 for the right to succeed Sampite. City council member at-large and current mayor, Wayne McCullen, narrowly defeated John Winston in the election, 3,026 (50.3 percent) to 2,962 (49.7 percent).〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Natchitoches Parish election results, April 15, 2000 )〕 Sampite' sought a political comeback in the fall of 2007, but he was defeated in a competitive campaign by the Republican Rick Nowlin, a Natchitoches businessman, for the District 23 seat (then Natchitoches and Winn parishes) in the Louisiana House of Representatives. Nowlin polled 4,609 votes (55 percent) in the general election to Sampite's 3,766 (45 percent)〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Louisiana general election returns, November 17, 2007 )〕 In the primary on October 20, Nowlin led a four-candidate field with 4,849 votes (35 percent) to Sampite's 4,598 (33 percent). Two other Democrats, Ralph Wilson and Mack James, polled 2,847 (21 percent) and 1,459 (11 percent), respectively. Hence, Nowlin and Sampite' were thrust into the general election.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Primary election returns, October 20, 2007 )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Joe Sampite」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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