Spring Break
Recent grad finds niche in small-town politics
Melissa Crowe
Issue date: 2/12/09 Section: ARTS & LIFE
J.D. Clark hasn't had a break since he graduated high school.
When he wasn't working on his English degree from NT, he reported for the Chico Texan and the Bridgeport Index, and at 20, he became the youngest member of the Chico, Texas, city council.
"I'm young, but I'm pretty level-headed," he said.
Now 23, he hopes to run unopposed for mayor of the town, which is about an hour west of Denton, and move up from the mayor pro tem title in May.
Former bosses, coworkers and family members all attest his strong work ethic.
"J.D. is extremely sharp - you tell him one time, and you know it's going to get done," said Keith Bridwell, Clark's former boss and publisher of the Bridgeport Index and Chico Texan.
Clark said he always kept the idea of joining city politics in the back of his mind. When a city council seat opened up in 2006, he jumped at the opportunity to take it. Tallying more votes than both incumbents, he said he was shocked at his victory.
"It wasn't just a squeaker," he said.
Clark stepped up when Larry Whitaker left his pro tem position in spring 2008 and recommended that Clark take over. That year, Chico Mayor James Robinson announced he had cancer and later resigned in December.
"[Robinson] turned to me and said, 'We're going to have to put a lot more responsibility on you,'" Clark said.
After the mayor's death in late December, Clark was once again called upon to step up to the challenge.
Though the circumstances of Robinson's death were sad, Clark said, "at the same time, I felt ready, I felt prepared."
He said he never saw himself as 23 and a mayor. In some ways, he said he feels this leadership position just happened, it is being in the right place at the right time.
"Luck is preparation met with opportunity," he said. Robinson prepared him for the position, and Clark said he is lucky to have the opportunity to better Chico.
Clark's roots in Chico grow deep. A self-proclaimed "hometown boy," Clark wants to give back to his community.
When he wasn't working on his English degree from NT, he reported for the Chico Texan and the Bridgeport Index, and at 20, he became the youngest member of the Chico, Texas, city council.
"I'm young, but I'm pretty level-headed," he said.
Now 23, he hopes to run unopposed for mayor of the town, which is about an hour west of Denton, and move up from the mayor pro tem title in May.
Former bosses, coworkers and family members all attest his strong work ethic.
"J.D. is extremely sharp - you tell him one time, and you know it's going to get done," said Keith Bridwell, Clark's former boss and publisher of the Bridgeport Index and Chico Texan.
Clark said he always kept the idea of joining city politics in the back of his mind. When a city council seat opened up in 2006, he jumped at the opportunity to take it. Tallying more votes than both incumbents, he said he was shocked at his victory.
"It wasn't just a squeaker," he said.
Clark stepped up when Larry Whitaker left his pro tem position in spring 2008 and recommended that Clark take over. That year, Chico Mayor James Robinson announced he had cancer and later resigned in December.
"[Robinson] turned to me and said, 'We're going to have to put a lot more responsibility on you,'" Clark said.
After the mayor's death in late December, Clark was once again called upon to step up to the challenge.
Though the circumstances of Robinson's death were sad, Clark said, "at the same time, I felt ready, I felt prepared."
He said he never saw himself as 23 and a mayor. In some ways, he said he feels this leadership position just happened, it is being in the right place at the right time.
"Luck is preparation met with opportunity," he said. Robinson prepared him for the position, and Clark said he is lucky to have the opportunity to better Chico.
Clark's roots in Chico grow deep. A self-proclaimed "hometown boy," Clark wants to give back to his community.
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