Darrell L. Clarke

For the footballer, see Darrell Clarke. For the American football player, see Daryll Clark.
Darrell L. Clarke
President of the Philadelphia City Council
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 2, 2012
Preceded by Anna Verna
Member of the Philadelphia City Council from the 5th District
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 18, 1999
Preceded by John Street
Personal details
Born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political party Democratic

Darrell L. Clarke (born 1952) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. He is the President of the Philadelphia City Council, where he represents the Fifth District, which encompasses North Central Philadelphia, Strawberry Mansion, Lower Hunting Park, Ludlow, Yorktown, West Poplar, Fairhill, Brewerytown, Francisville, Spring Garden, Fairmount, Logan Square, and parts of Northwood, Fishtown, Northern Liberties, and Center City.[1]

Early life and education

A native of North Philadelphia, Clarke graduated from Edison High School.[1]

Political career

Clarke was a longtime aide to John Street,[1] who represented the Fifth District for nearly three decades and eventually became Council President.

Election to city council

In December 1998, Street resigned as a member of the City Council and as the body's President.

Clarke ran for, and was elected to, Street's Fifth District seat in the 1999 special election held on the day of the state's primary.[2]

City council tenure

Clarke is a former Majority Whip and is the Chair of the Fiscal Stability and Public Property Committees and Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee.[1] He was elected to the position of Council President after the office was vacated by the retiring Anna Verna.

One of Clarke's most notable legislative actions was his introduction of the bill to evict the Cradle of Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts of America from their 80 year old building over their refusal to allow gays and lesbians to serve as scoutmasters.[3] After a protracted legal battle, the bill was overturned in Federal court and the City of Philadelphia was ordered to pay nearly a million dollars in legal fees to the Boy Scouts.[4]

See also

Wikinews has related news: Philadelphia breaks 80 year old building lease; moves to evict Scouts

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Councilman Darrell L. Clarke - 5th District, Majority Whip". City of Philadelphia. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  2. ↑ "Verna Sure of Support, Primary Leaves Her With Votes to Continue as Council Pres.". Philadelphia Daily News. May 20, 1999.
  3. ↑ Slobodzian, Joseph A. (2007-06-01). "Council votes to end city lease with Boy Scouts". Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29.
  4. ↑ http://articles.philly.com/2010-11-18/news/24954678_1_cradle-of-liberty-council-scout-organization-thomas-r-harrington

External links