Dale Sittig
Encyclopedia
Clifton Dale Sittig is the director of the Louisiana
Offshore Terminal Authority, who previously served from 1995-2008 as a Democratic
member of his state’s Public Service Commission
and from 1983-1995 as a state representative
from Eunice
in St. Landry Parish
in south Louisiana.
Sittig graduated in 1959 from Eunice High School
. He was elected to the House in a special election in 1983 created by the death of incumbent
Democratic Representative Louis Dischler, Jr. (1927–1983). Sittig was elected to full terms thereafter in 1983, 1987, and 1991, having hence served from 1983-1995. In the fall of 1992, Sittig challenged fellow Democratic Public Safety Commissioner Thomas E. "Tommy" Powell, Sr. (1924–2005), of Eunice in the District IV race, but he but lost by 354 votes out of some 283,000 cast. Powell received 141,894 (50.06 percent) to Sittig’s 141,540 (49.94 percent). Powell, a Eunice petroleum
dealer allied with the late U.S. Senator Russell B. Long
, was one of the original PSC members elected when the membership was enlarged in 1975 from three to five members.
Powell resigned from the commission midway in his last term, and Sittig won the 1995 special election to succeed him. In that contest, Sittig defeated State Senator
Joe McPherson
of Rapides Parish
in central Louisiana. Sittig led with 141,473 votes (52.8 percent) to McPherson’s 126,452 (47.2 percent). In making the PSC race, McPherson forfeited his Senate seat, but he reclaimed it in the 1999 election by defeating Republican State Representative Randy Wiggins
of Rapides Parish. When Sittig joined the PSC, his House seat went Republican
, with the election of Gregory L. Fruge
, also of Eunice.
In his 1998 race for a full six-year term, Sittig easily defeated the Republican candidate, Michael J. Muller, 92, 344 (77 percent) to 27,638 (23 percent). In 2004, Sittig was unopposed for the second term on the PSC which he did not complete.
During his PSC tenure, Sittig used his influence to obtain lighting for the Louisiana State University at Eunice
baseball
field known as Bengal Stadium. Beginning in 2007, LSUE teams could play at night for the first time since the establishment of the program. He quarreled openly with a colleague, his fellow Democrat Foster L. Campbell, Jr.
, of Bossier Parish
over certain commission policies and procedures, particularly in reference to the Entergy Company. Campbell claimed that Sittig was more supportive of "special interests", rather than the "people's interest".
Sittig was appointed to the offshore authority position by Republican Governor Bobby Jindal
, who had defeated Campbell in the 2007 nonpartisan blanket primary. On September 15, 2008, Sittig formally left the PSC and was replaced for several months by Republican consultant Pat Manuel of Eunice, the interim Jindal appointee.who was recommended by Sittig. Manuel was not a candidate for the seat in the 2009 special election. Then in April 2009, Republican Clyde C. Holloway
of Forest Hill
in Rapides Parish assumed the seat for the term expiring on December 31, 2010. Holloway had been scheduled to meet Joe McPherson in a special election runoff, but McPherson withdrew from the contest even though he trailed Holloway by less than 1 percent of the vote in the initial tally. A third candidate, Gil Pinac
of Crowley
, the seat of Acadia Parish
, held the remaining critical ballots, and Pinac, after his elimination, threw his support to fellow Republican Holloway.
During the administration of Republican Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.
, the LOOP position had been held for the full eight years by a former Republican state representative, Terry W. Gee
of Jefferson Parish
.
Sittig was formerly associated with Soileau Industries of Ville Platte
, the seat of Evangeline Parish.
In his new position, Sittig maintains his office in Lafayette
and commutes from Eunice. His pay increased from $45,000 as a PSC member to $101,000 as offshore authority director.
Sittig is married to the former Celine Evelyn Broussard (born October 31, 1943). The couple has three sons, Mitchell D. Sittig (born 1964) and Kurt K. Sittig (born 1965), Neil Sittig, and one daughter Celeste Sittig Broussard.
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
Offshore Terminal Authority, who previously served from 1995-2008 as a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of his state’s Public Service Commission
Louisiana Public Service Commission
Louisiana Public Service Commission is an independent regulatory agency which manages public utilities and motor carriers in Louisiana. The commission has five elected members chosen in single-member districts for staggered six-year terms...
and from 1983-1995 as a state representative
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from Eunice
Eunice, Louisiana
Eunice is a city in Acadia, Evangeline and St. Landry parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 11,499 at the 2000 census.The St...
in St. Landry Parish
St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
St. Landry Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is at the heart of Acadian/Cajun culture and heritage in Louisiana. The parish seat is Opelousas. According to the 2010 census, the population of St. Landry Parish is 83,384.St...
in south Louisiana.
Sittig graduated in 1959 from Eunice High School
Eunice High School
Eunice High School is a public high school located in Eunice, in the far western end of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. It is operated by the St. Landry Parish School Board. Eunice High graduated its first class in 1910; the current building was built in 1966. In 1969, St...
. He was elected to the House in a special election in 1983 created by the death of incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
Democratic Representative Louis Dischler, Jr. (1927–1983). Sittig was elected to full terms thereafter in 1983, 1987, and 1991, having hence served from 1983-1995. In the fall of 1992, Sittig challenged fellow Democratic Public Safety Commissioner Thomas E. "Tommy" Powell, Sr. (1924–2005), of Eunice in the District IV race, but he but lost by 354 votes out of some 283,000 cast. Powell received 141,894 (50.06 percent) to Sittig’s 141,540 (49.94 percent). Powell, a Eunice petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
dealer allied with the late U.S. Senator Russell B. Long
Russell B. Long
Russell Billiu Long was an American Democratic politician and United States Senator from Louisiana from 1948 until 1987.-Early life:...
, was one of the original PSC members elected when the membership was enlarged in 1975 from three to five members.
Powell resigned from the commission midway in his last term, and Sittig won the 1995 special election to succeed him. In that contest, Sittig defeated State Senator
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
Joe McPherson
Joe McPherson
William Joseph "Joe" McPherson, Jr., is a retiring veteran Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate from Woodworth, a small community south of Alexandria, Louisiana, the seat of government of Rapides Parish and the largest city in the Central Louisiana region...
of Rapides Parish
Rapides Parish, Louisiana
-Military Installations:*Camp Beauregard *Esler Airfield *England Air Force Base *Camp Claiborne *Camp Livingston -Demographics:...
in central Louisiana. Sittig led with 141,473 votes (52.8 percent) to McPherson’s 126,452 (47.2 percent). In making the PSC race, McPherson forfeited his Senate seat, but he reclaimed it in the 1999 election by defeating Republican State Representative Randy Wiggins
Randy Wiggins
Randy E. Wiggins is a State Farm Insurance agent in Alexandria, Louisiana, who is the first Republican since Reconstruction to have been elected from Rapides Parish to the Louisiana House of Representatives. Wiggins served only a single term in the Pineville-based District 27 from 1996 to 2000...
of Rapides Parish. When Sittig joined the PSC, his House seat went Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, with the election of Gregory L. Fruge
Gregory L. Fruge
Gregory L. Fruge, Sr. , is a businessman in Eunice, Louisiana, who served as a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 41 from 1996-2004...
, also of Eunice.
In his 1998 race for a full six-year term, Sittig easily defeated the Republican candidate, Michael J. Muller, 92, 344 (77 percent) to 27,638 (23 percent). In 2004, Sittig was unopposed for the second term on the PSC which he did not complete.
During his PSC tenure, Sittig used his influence to obtain lighting for the Louisiana State University at Eunice
Louisiana State University at Eunice
Louisiana State University Eunice is a community college located in Eunice, Louisiana, that currently serves around 3,300 full and part-time students.LSU Eunice currently offers degrees and diplomas up to the associate's degree level...
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
field known as Bengal Stadium. Beginning in 2007, LSUE teams could play at night for the first time since the establishment of the program. He quarreled openly with a colleague, his fellow Democrat Foster L. Campbell, Jr.
Foster Campbell
Foster L. Campbell, Jr. , is a Democratic member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, a former 26-year member of the Louisiana State Senate, and an unsuccessful candidate for governor in the October 20, 2007, jungle primary. Campbell polled 161,425 votes and won two parishes: Red River and...
, of Bossier Parish
Bossier Parish, Louisiana
Bossier Parish is named for Pierre Bossier, a 19th-century Louisiana state senator and U.S. representative from Natchitoches Parish.Bossier Parish was spared fighting on its soil during the American Civil War...
over certain commission policies and procedures, particularly in reference to the Entergy Company. Campbell claimed that Sittig was more supportive of "special interests", rather than the "people's interest".
Sittig was appointed to the offshore authority position by Republican Governor Bobby Jindal
Bobby Jindal
Piyush "Bobby" Jindal is the 55th and current Governor of Louisiana and formerly a member of the United States House of Representatives. He is a member of the Republican Party....
, who had defeated Campbell in the 2007 nonpartisan blanket primary. On September 15, 2008, Sittig formally left the PSC and was replaced for several months by Republican consultant Pat Manuel of Eunice, the interim Jindal appointee.who was recommended by Sittig. Manuel was not a candidate for the seat in the 2009 special election. Then in April 2009, Republican Clyde C. Holloway
Clyde C. Holloway
Clyde Cecil Holloway is an American small business owner from Forest Hill in the southern part of Rapides Parish who is one of five members of the Louisiana Public Service Commission. He also served as a conservative Republican member of the U.S...
of Forest Hill
Forest Hill, Louisiana
Forest Hill is a village in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is part of the Alexandria, Louisiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 456 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Forest Hill is located at ....
in Rapides Parish assumed the seat for the term expiring on December 31, 2010. Holloway had been scheduled to meet Joe McPherson in a special election runoff, but McPherson withdrew from the contest even though he trailed Holloway by less than 1 percent of the vote in the initial tally. A third candidate, Gil Pinac
Gil Pinac
Gillis James Pinac, known as Gil Pinac is a former 12-year Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Crowley, the seat of Acadia Parish...
of Crowley
Crowley, Louisiana
Crowley is a city in and the parish seat of Acadia Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 14,225 at the 2000 census. The city is noted for its annual International Rice Festival. Crowley has the nickname of "Rice Capital of America", because at one time it was a major center for...
, the seat of Acadia Parish
Acadia Parish, Louisiana
Acadia Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Crowley. According to the 2010 census, the population of Acadia Parish is 61,773. The parish was founded from parts of St...
, held the remaining critical ballots, and Pinac, after his elimination, threw his support to fellow Republican Holloway.
During the administration of Republican Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.
Murphy J. Foster, Jr.
Murphy James "Mike" Foster, Jr. served as 53rd Governor of Louisiana from January 1996 until January 2004. Foster's father was Murphy J. Foster, Jr., but Mike Foster uses "Jr." even though he is technically Murphy J. Foster, III. Foster is a businessman, landowner, and sportsman in St...
, the LOOP position had been held for the full eight years by a former Republican state representative, Terry W. Gee
Terry W. Gee
Terry Wayne Gee, Sr. , is an officer of Ecoloclean Industries, Inc., who formerly served three four-year terms as a Republican member of the Louisiana state House of Representatives. Gee represented parts of Jefferson and Orleans parishes from 1980 until he was defeated for a fourth term, effective...
of Jefferson Parish
Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
Jefferson Parish is a parish in Louisiana, United States that includes most of the suburbs of New Orleans. The seat of parish government is Gretna....
.
Sittig was formerly associated with Soileau Industries of Ville Platte
Ville Platte, Louisiana
Ville Platte is a city in and the parish seat of Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 8,145 at the 2000 census. Its name is derived from the French ville plate, or "flat town."-History:...
, the seat of Evangeline Parish.
In his new position, Sittig maintains his office in Lafayette
Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette is a city in and the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the Vermilion River. The population was 120,623 at the 2010 census...
and commutes from Eunice. His pay increased from $45,000 as a PSC member to $101,000 as offshore authority director.
Sittig is married to the former Celine Evelyn Broussard (born October 31, 1943). The couple has three sons, Mitchell D. Sittig (born 1964) and Kurt K. Sittig (born 1965), Neil Sittig, and one daughter Celeste Sittig Broussard.