Jim Dear: “A Leader in any Capacity”

Ari L. NoonanNews

Carson Mayor Jim Dear. Photo: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Re: “Mayor Dear Turns into City Clerk Dear.”

Approaching his silver  anniversary in hometown politics, Carson Mayor Jim Dear – he of the banner personality — offered a logical explanation this morning for his unique triumph over incumbent city clerk Donesia Gause, winning away her job.

“The people of Carson recognized my long service to the community and my ability to pretty much be a leader in any capacity,” Mr. Dear said.

The last 11 words probably should be writ distractingly large on billboards all about Carson.

The brute strength of the lengthy phrase “my ability to pretty much be a leader in any capacity” singlehandedly raised this unlikely race from the pedestrian to the You Better Not Look Away from This Election.

The days of obscurity, mystery, quietude and downright anonymity are over for the city clerk’s office.

A star has arrived.

Let the band play.

Loudly.

Lengthily.

Will The Music Man and Seventy-six Trombones fit on East Carson Street?

This should be an intriguing job transition.

From mayor to city clerk is not like moving from the state Assembly to the state Senate.

The record-keeping clerk’s office carries intricately specific duties unlike, say, the mayor’s job where a fundamental political education qualifiers a seeker.

Three weeks from yesterday, Tuesday, March 24, the undefeated Mr. Dear expects to be sworn in as the most interesting city clerk in the country for the next four years.

When he steps aside, he will voluntarily yield his last two years in the mayor’s chair.

The position is expected to remain open until November when voters will decide.