[img]1048|left|Jim Clarke||no_popup[/img]He never has been elected by Culver City voters, nor has he run for office here. Although seen frequently around town and owning an open, smiling, sure-does-look-familiar face, less than a quorum of voters might accurately tell you who he is and what he is doing for a living today?
He is one of those quietly significant, long-running players in the political universe who stands (but not for long) just to the left of the spotlight.
He has made a hefty career of working with and for political stars who have an intimate relationship with cameras and microphones.
Jim B. Clarke may be the most influential politician residing in Culver City, an adopted hometown he fell in love with back in the 1970s when he landed near the always-buzzing intersection of Jefferson and Overland.
He probably came to his widest attention a decade ago as Chief of Staff for the now-retired powerhouse Congresswoman, U.S. Rep. Diane Watson (Culver City).
Mr. Clarke left her four years ago for a personal reason that will happily lift the curtain on a little-known dimension of his life.
It was a huge change of directions in several ways, not least because it meant retracing his cross-country steps, moving back from Washington to a Los Angeles base.
These rainy and sunny afternoons, he is perched on the 27th floor of City Hall where he serves as the Director of Federal Relations, Legislative and Intergovernmental Relations, for Mayor Villaraigosa.
In the following days, we will present a stronger and deeper inspection of Mr. Clarke than previously has been done.
Perhaps then, as he moves about the community, he will hear, “Hi, Mr. Clarke,” more frequently.
(To be continued)
