Clarence Wilkinson Explained

Clarence Wilkinson
Birth Date:September 26, 1910
Birth Place:Gloucester, Massachusetts
Death Place:Bremen, Maine
Occupation:Contractor
City Administrator
Politician
Party:Republican
Title1:Boothbay Harbor, Maine Town Manager
Term Start1:1970
Term End1:1975
Title2:Saugus, Massachusetts Town Manager
Term Start2:1968
Term End2:1970
Predecessor2:Paul H. Boucher
Successor2:Francis Moorehouse
Title3:Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 15th Essex District
Term Start3:1957
Term End3:1961
Predecessor3:Herbert Tuckerman
Successor3:George L. Allen
Title4:Mayor of Beverly, Massachusetts
Term Start4:1951
Term End4:1957
Predecessor4:Robert J. Rafferty
Successor4:Thomas J. Wickers, Jr.

Clarence Sayward Wilkinson (born September 26, 1910, in Gloucester, Massachusetts,[1] died July 12, 1996, in Bremen, Maine[2]) was an American politician who served as Mayor of Beverly, Massachusetts, from 1951 to 1957, State Representative from 1957 to 1961, Town Manager of Saugus from 1968 to 1970, and Town Manager of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, from 1970 to 1975.

Beverly

Wilkinson was elected Mayor of Beverly, Massachusetts in 1950 and re-elected in 1952, 1954, and 1956. During his tenure as Mayor, Beverly celebrated its 325th anniversary,[3] hosted World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Rocky Marciano, hosted two Sports Car Club of America auto racing events,[4] and built two new schools.[5]

In 1953, Wilkinson was a candidate for State Representative, but lost in the Republican primary to Herbert Tuckerman.[6]

In 1955, Wilkinson received a type-written letter containing a threat to kill him if he did not pay four million dollars. An investigation by Beverly police revealed that the letter was written by a fourteen-year-old boy at a junior high school.[7]

Prior to becoming Mayor, Wilkinson spent four years as a member of the Beverly Board of Aldermen.

State government

Wilkinson was elected State Representative in 1956. He served as State Representative and Mayor simultaneously during his final year as Mayor. He was reelected in 1958, but lost the 1960 Republican primary to George L. Allen.[8]

In 1962, Wilkinson was named Associate State Commissioner of Public Works.[9]

Return to Beverly government

In 1965, Wilkinson made a return to elected office in Beverly as a member of the Board of Aldermen.[10] In 1966, the town offered 207 acres of land abutting Beverly Municipal Airport to Boeing in attempt to convince them to build a proposed multimillion-dollar plant in Beverly. Wilkinson served as the town's liaison officer in the ultimately unsuccessful project.[11] In 1967, Wilkinson ran again for Mayor, but finished third in the primary behind James A. Vitale and Herbert Grimes.[12]

Saugus

On October 14, 1968, Wilkinson was named Town Manager of Saugus, Massachusetts.[13] He had previously been a finalist for the job in 1962, but the Board of Selectmen decided to give the job to John O. Stinson.[14]

Boothbay Harbor

Wilkinson resigned as Saugus Town Manager in 1970 to take the same position in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.[15] He remained as Boothbay Harbor's Town Manager until his retirement in 1975.

Notes and References

  1. Book: 1957-1958 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts .
  2. News: Clarence Wilkinson, 85 Was legislator, Beverly mayor. https://web.archive.org/web/20121106065811/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8383237.html. dead. November 6, 2012. 17 July 2011. The Boston Globe. July 14, 1996.
  3. News: Beverly Opens 325th Celebration With Dedication. Boston Daily Globe. August 5, 1951.
  4. News: Molter. Harry. Sports Car Enthusiasts Await Beverly Races. The Christian Science Monitor. April 29, 1955.
  5. News: Beverly Tax Rate Up $6. Boston Daily Globe. May 5, 1956.
  6. News: Tuckerman Wins G. O. P. Primary for Representative. Boston Daily Globe. November 25, 1953.
  7. News: Trace Threat Letter to Beverly Boy. 17 July 2011. Associated Press. March 5, 1955.
  8. News: Lewis. William. Ward Seen Legislators' New Guide. Boston Globe. September 15, 1960.
  9. News: Wilkinson Succeeds Dole As State Public Works Aide. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107111701/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/1906356072.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI. dead. November 7, 2012. 17 July 2011. Boston Globe. April 27, 1962.
  10. News: Burbank. Russell. Joslin, Grimes Finalists In Beverly Mayor Fight. Boston Globe. October 14, 1965.
  11. News: Beverly Woos Boeing With 207-Acre Plant Site. Boston Globe. May 15, 1966.
  12. News: Corneau. Robert. Beverly to elect mayor on Tuesday. Boston Globe. November 1, 1967.
  13. News: Saugus. Boston Globe. October 15, 1968.
  14. News: Saugus Gets 12th Manager In 14 Years. Boston Globe. February 20, 1962.
  15. News: Boston Globe. March 25, 1970.