Interviewer(s): J. Piekielek. Boothville, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

Michael and Daisy Dardar suggested that I talk with Joe Clark, their new council member who represents them in the Parish government, and a family friend. Michael called and arranged for me to meet with Joe at his new office after work. They said that Joe was someone their parents' age and had worked several kinds of jobs which allowed him to be familiar with various aspects of the industry. When I explained the project to Joe Clark, he said right away that he hadn't worked in the oil industry, only at a supply store. Nonetheless, he offered a comprehensive perspective on the economy of Boothville-Venice. Joe Clark often moved the conversation back to issues currently facing the community, primarily the unsure future of the economy and its relation to the oil industry.

Joe Clark was born in New Orleans and moved with his family to Port Sulphur in 1964. In 1966 he married and moved to Venice, where he has lived since. He worked 3 days in the oil fields before his first employer discovered that he was 16 years old, too young for the job. He worked many years for the Press family, who owned Empire Machine Works, with business operations in Boothville and Venice that served oil companies' supply and repair needs.