Paul Lombard

Paul Lombard
Mayor of Martigues
In office
1968–2009
Preceded byFrancis Turcan
Succeeded byGaby Charroux
General Councillor for the Canton of Martigues
In office
1970–1988
Preceded byArmand Audibert
Succeeded byMichel Vaxès
Member of the French National Assembly for Bouches-du-Rhône
In office
13 June 1988 – 1 April 1993
Personal details
Born15 December 1927
La Ciotat, France
Died7 June 2020(2020-06-07) (aged 92)
Martigues, France[1]
Political partyPCF

Paul Henri Marius Lombard (15 December 1927 – 7 June 2020) was a French politician.[2]

Biography

Lombard was born in La Ciotat, but his family moved to Martigues when he was a few years old. His father, Paul-Baptistin Lombard, who took part in the French Resistance, was shot and killed by the Germans on 13 June 1944.[3]

Lombard entered the municipal council of Martigues in 1953 following the resignation of his mother. That year, he led the French Communist Party's (PCF) ticket against incumbent Mayor Paul Pascal of the French Section of the Workers' International. In 1959, Francis Turcan was elected mayor, and Lombard became his financial assistant. Then during the Turcan administration, Martigues began its modernization, moving on from its industrial past.

After Turcan died in 1968, Lombard became Mayor of Martigues. He would be re-elected in 1971, 1977, 1983, 1989, 1989, 1995, 2001, and 2008, winning a majority in the first round every time. The city was heavily modernized, as it did not have a sewage system in 1959. The construction of the Martigues canal and the central water treatment plant were significant steps taken during the Lombard administration. Additionally, the construction of the Hôpital Rayettes, the Lycée Jean Lurçat, and the highway to Fos-sur-Mer and Arles were completed in 1974. A new library was built in 1981 and a new town hall was constructed in 1983. In 1993, the Halle de Martigues was built, and, in 1995, the Théâte des Salins.

Lombard was re-elected for the 7th time in 2008, but announced his departure in 2009, giving the reins to Gaby Charroux.[4] The transition of power took place on 29 May 2009 in front of 3000 people. However, Lombard would remain a municipal councillor. In 2011, he was made an Officer of the Legion of Honour.[5]

Paul Lombard died on 7 June 2020 at the age of 92.[6]

References

  1. ^ "LOMBARD Paul". Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Décès de Paul Lombard : les réactions des martégaux". Maritima Medias (in French). 7 June 2020.
  3. ^ "LOMBARD Paul-Baptistin [LOMBARD Paul, Baptistin, dit Paul-Baptistin]". Le Maitron (in French).
  4. ^ "Paul Lombard, maire PCF de Martigues depuis 40 ans, passe la main". Le Parisien (in French). 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017.
  5. ^ "Martigues. Paul Lombard officier de la Légion d'honneur". Maritima Medias (in French). 17 March 2011.
  6. ^ "Martigues : l'ancien maire Paul Lombard est décédé à l'âge de 92 ans". La Provence (in French). 7 June 2020.