In my earlier days as a political reporter, the Contra Costa scene was dominated by a handful of people who became legends in their own time. One of the most prominent was Henry Clarke, a big, blustery former football player and teacher who devoted his life to organizing and representing public service workers, and did a darn good job of it.

Henry, who died recently, would call a strike if necessary and did so often. He'd rather negotiate, though, and when doing neither, he'd take any opportunity to remind the Board of Supervisors, city council or school board members that he was around and why.

He also had a great sense of humor and sometimes his humor and humanity got in the way of his tough-guy image.

One occasion that stands out in my memory was a speech he gave to the Board of Supervisors in the 1970s. I forget what the issue was, but Henry was up at the podium giving out a pretty good fire-and-brimstone warning, the style of which he may have gotten from his preacher father.

Tom Coll, another political legend, was sitting at the dais. Coll, a Concord attorney, was pretty big himself, and as a good Irishman quite able to throw the bull around. He and Henry had had many a discussion over the years, in and out of the public eye.

He was sitting there watching Clarke perform as he got into the rhythm of his speech, which was turning into pure, traditional rhetoric about the plight of the working man. Henry knew he was performing, Tom knew he was performing and Henry knew Tom knew, etc.

Suddenly their eyes connected. They started laughing and even though they looked away from each other quickly it was too late. Henry, trying unsuccessfully to compose himself, finished quickly and left the chambers, still trying to wipe the smile off his face.

A teacher who felt he was wronged, lost his job and left without recourse, turned the experience into one that through the years has helped thousands of public employees in school districts, cities, counties and other public agencies.

(posted 2-1-07)