Sparkle Clark
For Mayor of Columbia, SC
Born in Columbia in 1958, Sparkle grew up in the Melrose Heights neighborhood. She attended Schneider Elementary, Hand Jr. High, and graduated Dreher High School. After a few years of various jobs while attending USC, Sparkle became employed with the United States Postal Service where she remains after 28 years.
In 1989, she returned to USC and graduated with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Business Administration. While attending USC, Sparkle served in the Student Senate; her first real look at the political process. In the 90s, she volunteered her time with Palmetto Aids Life Support Services (PALSS), and served as co-chair of South Carolina Gay and Lesbian Pride Movement (GLPM) and participated in a variety of efforts toward the attainment of Civil Rights of GLBT people.
In 1998, Sparkle attended Limestone College and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. Soon after, she worked for the Tom Turnipseed for Attorney General Campaign because of his lifetime career of working for "Justice for All".
In the past decade, Sparkle was introduced to birding by her next door neighbor. She joined the Audubon Society and SC Wildlife Federation. She began photographing birds and wildlife and maintains a Certified Wildlife Habitat in her yard in the Bradley Community. On most any clear day, she can be found with her scope at Riverfront Park, the place she says is the best birding area in the city.
The fragile nature of birds has taught Sparkle that it is up to governments, as well as citizens, to be good stewards of all our resources to insure the economic and environmental health of our community for generations to come.
Here are Ms. Clark's answers to some questions posed by the Institute.
Why you – why now for this position?
For most of my adult life I have worked steadily and followed the ebb and flow of city government. I have found places where I fit and where I have participated in the discussion. I have found friends and cultivated alliances among the haves and the have-nots, and I have found a voice that is seldom heard--that of the worker bees, those of us who give our all to our professions, contribute to our communities, and serve the needs of those less often heard by standing up for them and by contributing in any way we can. I have reached "a certain age" where I have learned a lot and am ready to give back to my community. Like so many "ordinary citizens," I, too, have become frustrated with apparent mishandling of city finances, the appearance of mismanagement on many levels, the concerns of city workers, and the rising turmoil within the departments of our first responders. I am ready, willing, and able to tackle these issues and to bring confidence back to the residents of the City of Columbia. I am a new face, with a new perspective for Columbia. MY TIME IS NOW!
What is your leadership style?
When there is a problem, I will surround myself with knowledgeable staff to research and report their findings. There will be no holds barred. A review will be presented to all parties involved and a resolution will be reached. Because I will be faced with ironing out several issues at the get-go, I will have to spend some time in this process. However, once resolved, I will conduct a review of all departments of city government (taking into consideration consultations already approved by City Council) and will work with my colleagues on City Council to make our government operate in the light of day and not behind closed doors. I will urge Council to replace nonperforming management with capable managers and will expect regular financial and departmental reviews. I will insure open communication between all department heads and will insist that workers are respected for the services they provide the city. I believe that professionals should be treated as such and, with the exception of regular performance reviews, will expect management to fulfill their responsibilities without continual oversight. I will insist that city leaders be allowed to lead.
How much money will you need to raise? If you were not running for office and had that amount of money where would you spend it?
Fund-raising will be my greatest obstacle, because I am the least known of all the candidates but my plan is to provide as much information about issues facing the City of Columbia through electronic media and personal contact, not only by me, but also with the help of my supporters, to spread the word of my candidacy.
$100,000 is a realistic amount needed to compete with the big guns in this election, but I would rather spend that money on creating butterfly gardens to teach children about connecting with nature.
Tell us something your friends would be surprised to learn about you?
My friends would be surprised to learn that I dyed my hair blonde when I was 10. My mother helped me understand that I was wonderful just the way that I was made…brown hair and all.
As an adult, I am so aware that children need to be reminded that they are perfect just the way they are and that it is possible to be anything you want to be.
Your mother always said...
My mother always said that I could do anything I set my mind to do. I got that trait from her. She was the only woman in the USC School of Pharmacy in 1964 and graduated 2nd in her class. She was a trailblazer for women and a wonderful role model for me. I wish she were alive today to gently cheer me on in my pursuit of becoming the mayor of Columbia.
Learn more about Ms. Clark by visiting her website at: www.sparkleformayor.com.