Clarence Wilkinson
Encyclopedia
Clarence Sayward Wilkinson (born September 26, 1910 in Gloucester, Massachusetts
, died July 12, 1996 in Bremen, Maine
) was an American politician who served as Mayor of Beverly, Massachusetts
from 1951–1957, 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.
, hosted two Sports Car Club of America
auto racing events, and built two new schools.
In 1953, Wilkinson was a candidate for State Representative, but lost in the Republican primary to Herbert Tuckerman.
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.
Prior to becoming Mayor, Wilkinson spent four years as a member of the Beverly Board of Alderman.
.
In 1962, Wilkinson was named Associate State Commissioner of Public Works.
to Boeing Aircraft in attempt to convince them to build a proposed multi-million dollar plant in Beverly. Wilkinson served as the town's liaison officer in the ultimately unsuccessful project. In 1967, Wilkinson ran again for Mayor, but finished third in the primary behind James A. Vitale and Herbert Grimes.
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Gloucester is a city on Cape Ann in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is part of Massachusetts' North Shore. The population was 28,789 at the 2010 U.S. Census...
, died July 12, 1996 in Bremen, Maine
Bremen, Maine
Bremen is a small town in Lincoln County, Maine, United States. The population was 782 at the 2000 census. Located on Muscongus Bay and the Gulf of Maine, it includes the villages of Broad Cove, Turners Corner, Bremen, Medomak and Muscongus...
) was an American politician who served as Mayor of Beverly, Massachusetts
Beverly, Massachusetts
Beverly is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 39,343 on , which differs by no more than several hundred from the 39,862 obtained in the 2000 census. A resort, residential and manufacturing community on the North Shore, Beverly includes Beverly Farms and Prides...
from 1951–1957, 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, hosted World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Rocky MarcianoRocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano , born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was an American boxer and the heavyweight champion of the world from September 23, 1952, to April 27, 1956. Marciano is the only champion to hold the heavyweight title and go undefeated throughout his career. Marciano defended his title six times...
, hosted two Sports Car Club of America
Sports Car Club of America
The Sports Car Club of America is a club and sanctioning body supporting road racing, rallying, and autocross in the United States. Formed in 1944, it runs many programs for both amateur and professional racers.-History:...
auto racing events, and built two new schools.
In 1953, Wilkinson was a candidate for State Representative, but lost in the Republican primary to Herbert Tuckerman.
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.
Prior to becoming Mayor, Wilkinson spent four years as a member of the Beverly Board of Alderman.
State government
Wilkinson was elected State Representative in 1956. He served as State Representative and Mayor simultaneously during his final year as Mayor. He lost in the 1960 Republican primary to George L. Allen, ending his tenure in the Massachusetts House of RepresentativesMassachusetts House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is composed of 160 members elected from single-member electoral districts across the Commonwealth. Representatives serve two-year terms...
.
In 1962, Wilkinson was named Associate State Commissioner of Public Works.
Return to Beverly government
In 1965, Wilkinson made a return to elected office in Beverly as a member of the Board of Alderman. In 1966, the town offered 207 acres of land abutting Beverly Municipal AirportBeverly Municipal Airport
Beverly Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located three miles northwest of the central business district of Beverly, a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States...
to Boeing Aircraft in attempt to convince them to build a proposed multi-million dollar plant in Beverly. Wilkinson served as the town's liaison officer in the ultimately unsuccessful project. In 1967, Wilkinson ran again for Mayor, but finished third in the primary behind James A. Vitale and Herbert Grimes.