Buffeted by his daily tonnage of boyish energy and enthusiasm, City Councilman Jim Clarke has been vigorously talking up Culver City’s 100th birthday almost since it was a gleam in founding dad Harry Culver’s eye.
Now 100 is a scant two years out, and for Mr. Clarke, it almost is like having a chance to go to the park and romp every day.
The financial news was cheering at this week’s monthly meeting of Mr. Clarke’s Centennial Committee, organized for Culver City’s landmark birthday in 2017.
“We have total revenues projected of $271,000,” Mr. Clarke said.
“Expenses projected are $228,263. If we are able to do the revenues we think we can, while keeping our expenses in line, our goal is to return $42,000 to the city, showing a profit.
“We anticipate having to raise about $100,000 from sponsors.
Mr. Clarke doesn’t think “that is out of the question for a year-long event like this,” which starts in September 2016.
The best part of his experience with the fledgling Centennial Committee, says the chairman, “has been the enthusiasm of the community. Every time I talk to someone about this Centennial, they get very excited. You can just see their brains thinking about all kinds of activities. I tell them to put their ideas in writing and take ownership for it.”
Here is why the cheerleading Councilman seems perfectly suited for his job.
Mr. Clarke said the Centennial Committee’s role – “other than the opening and closing ceremonies plus a few things during the year – is to help encourage other organizations and individuals to put on activities. Our job is to coordinate so we don’t have three events going on on the same day, and to help market the Centennial overall.”
For residents interested in joining the committee or otherwise participating, Mr. Clarke may be contacted at culvercity100@gmail.com
The Centennial Committee convenes on the third Tuesday of the month, 7 o’clock, in the Dan Patacchia Room on the first floor of City Hall.
