WORDS. POLITICAL Or Otherwise
LYNN by Diane Ciarloni photos courtesy of Lynn Clark
T
HICKORY CREEK MAYOR
CLARK
here was never, ever, ever a time when Hickory Creek Mayor, Lynn Clark, aspired to any form of political agenda. It wasn’t even the tiniest nano-blip on her personal radar.
She later served as Mayor Pro Tem from May, 2010 to June, 2015, when she was appointed to Mayor after John Smith stepped down from the position. She succeeded in mayoral elections in both 2016, 2018 and 2020.
“My campaign opponents were always men,” Lynn said, “but I don’t think gender matters much. It’s your words, your relationships, your values that draw people. It’s also effective and respectful communication, getting a message across, having an open door, and being responsive.
“Our two boys were born in California,” Lynn said, “so I was basically a stay-athome mom. We were in the Air Force six years, and after that, Bob realized his dream of becoming a commercial pilot. He retired from Southwest after 35 years.”
“I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, and Mayor. Words matter in all four of those roles. I’ve always tried to have Philippians 4:8 be a guide in everything, where we’re told to use our words in an honorable and just manner. Relationships take work, and words are a very important part of that work.”
Lynn served as Executive Director of the Texas Association of Rental Agencies for 15 of those 35 years, retiring in 2005. “I’ve pretty much stumbled into everything I’ve done,” Lynn answered with a chuckle. “Landing that position was a fluke.”
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She campaigned for Town Council, Place 1, in 2007. She won.
Lynn Clark was officially alive and well in the political arena.
Born in Waco, Clark got a history degree with a minor in literature. She earned a teaching degree, but by the time she was ready to use it, she and her Air Force husband, Bob Clark, were stationed in California. Her teaching certificate was only valid 1,400 miles away — in Texas.
On being Mayor of Hickory Creek, she added, “I’ve loved Hickory Creek ever since we first moved here, and I was very interested when I heard about the new Economic Development Corporation (EDC) in 2003. I raised my hand and was appointed.”
Lynn got her feet not just wet but soaked on the EDC. She enjoyed it. She learned the satisfying feeling of giving back to the community she loved, helping it grow in the right direction for all residents.
It’s your words, your relationships, your values that draw people. AUGUST 2021 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 23
