FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
Fire and water mix well for Troup's David LaMotte
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

David LaMotte

David LaMotte is one of those guys who might be referred to as a jack-of-all-trades. He is certainly working hard at mastering one. And that's as public works director for the city of Troup.

LaMotte's title somewhat indicates the depth of his job. Along with water and sewer construction, maintenance and repair, come lots of other responsibilities.

"We deal with just about everything the PD (police department) doesn't do," LaMotte said. "Lift stations, sewer, water, streets, mowing…you name it, we do it."

LaMotte has worn many occupational hats in his life. He has done car sales, installed utility poles and worked in transportation for an area nursing home. He likes making a difference by what he does.

"I'm proud of Troup. I want it to look its best," LaMotte said. "If there's an area that is really supposed to be maintained by the state and it really needs mowing, I'll go out a do it because I want our town to look nice."

It's that kind of attitude that has brought LaMotte back to Troup and keeps him on the job.

"I had an uncle who lived in the area of Troup and he convinced me to move here," LaMotte said. "I moved away a couple of times, but always came back."

The family has lived in the Bastrop and Houston area, but Troup became home. His wife Renee loved it so much she talked her parents into moving to Troup.

David and Renee have been married 15 years. Renee works at Video Village. His sons are Nicholas, age 7, and Nathan who is 10.

LaMotte loves his jobs, paid and unpaid.

"I like doing things for people," LaMotte said. "This job let's me do that."

LaMotte devotes a great number of his off hours to the Troup Volunteer Fire Department. He was just elected as the second year captain of the VFD and has been chosen firefighter of the year in the past.

Firefighting runs in the family with relatives on both sides spending a lot of time at the fire house. His 15 years in firefighting have given him many opportunities in training and helping the community. He loves going into the schools and teaching fire safety to the kids.

LaMotte really enjoys working with the young people in Troup. He has spent a good bit of time on the sidelines and on the diamond coaching with Troup Youth Association. He says most of his time with TYA is now spent helping out with fund raisers.

In the seven years LaMotte has been with the city of Troup he says he's seen lots of changes for the good in his community.

"I've got a good job and crew here and my family is happy" LaMotte said. "I'm not going anywhere anytime soon,"