Fresh off an endorsement from the Culver City Employees Assn., City Council candidate Jim Clarke was as sunny as the weather this morning when he reflected on the sticky debate at last night’s meeting over just reviewing healthcare benefits for Council members.
He is unapologetically in the corner of fellow candidate Councilman Andy Weissman, who successfully fought to have the discussion placed on a near agenda, probably Monday, March 12.
At stake: Should benefits continue for a lifetime or end upon leaving office?
“I told Andy that if it didn’t get dealt with by this Council, I would be happy to second the motion when he makes it with the new Council, if I am elected.
“Since it looks as if the Council is going to take it up on the 12th, I will be happy to come and speak on behalf of it,” said Mr. Clarke, who gained a second endorsement yesterday from County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.
He Will Say No
[img]1048|left|Jim Clarke||no_popup[/img]Standing apart from the six-candidate field for the April 10 election, Mr. Clarke has stated repeatedly at candidate forums that, if elected, he will not accept healthcare benefits.
As a deputy to Mayor Villaraigosa – who may leave office later this year for Washington if President Obama is re-elected – Mr. Clarke presently is covered. If the situation changes, his fallback position would be to collect benefits from the U.S. Coast Guard for his service as a young man.
He was in Council Chambers last night, carefully observing the patter and byplay among some future colleagues as they argued over whether benefits should be assessed before or after Election Day.
Of Councilman Jeff Cooper’s objection to weighing benefits now, Mr. Clarke “was a little concerned that he implied this was done for politics.
“You are going to be electing four people on April10. Do you make a decision on something like this or do you let the four people coming in have some say on it? “
Mr. Clarke squarely addressed the sensitive subject of a departing Council’s unchanging obligations.
“I was asked about whether it was proper for an outgoing Council to take up a (delicate) subject like this,” he said.
“My answer was, you are accountable from the first day in office until your last minute on the Council. When issues come up, you are elected to take votes. It is appropriate for the Council to act on a subject if they feel they should.”
As for March 12, “who knows?” Mr. Clarke asked. “It might be a 2 to 2 tie,” which would halt the debate at least temporarily.
