Jim Dear

The Honorable Jim Dear is currently semi-retired from public service after serving 15 years as City Clerk, City Council member and Mayor. Still working part time as a classroom school teacher. Jim Dear was born and raised in the Harbor Area of Los Angeles County, having attended local schools including Gardena High School, Los Angeles Harbor Community College, and obtaining a BA degree in Political Science at UCLA in 1977. Later took graduate school Education courses at CSUDH in Carson. Currently serves as a California State licensed Notary Public and holds certificates from the League of California Cities for completion of dozens of workshops in various aspects of local government. Jim Dear also has wide ranging hands-on experience in what it takes to properly govern and the desire from the heart to lead and serve the people to improve the quality of life for all residents.

Elected to City Council in 2001, and Mayor in 2004. As the new Mayor he brought much needed reform following the conclusion of the huge public corruption scandal of 2002-2003 in city hall. His first step was to change the culture at City Hall by reforming the system, to bring public process safeguards, "checks & balances" and transparency to Carson city government. Then Mayor Dear brought forward a detailed economic development strategy and public safety plan. His vision was to transform Carson from a bedroom / industrial town, into a "destination community". He was re-elected Mayor in 2005, 2009 and 2013, in 2015 he was elected Carson City Clerk.