PHOTO GALLERY: Laid-off Missouri worker seeks to be cop
Wednesday, June 3, 2009 | 11:54 a.m. CDT
Dorie Clark, 65, bikes through his neighborhood on the early morning of June 1. Clark, a recent graduate of the MU Law Enforcement Training program exercises from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. every morning.
¦ VIVIAN ESPARZA
BY VIVIAN ESPARZA/ Missourian
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Letter magnets cover the refrigerator of Dorie Clark. Bought as an educational tool, Clark was hoping to teach his ex-wife's son, Dakota Miner, how to spell. Lessons were cut short after Dakota was removed from Clark's care. "Life is a challenge and whatever challenge I see I'll go after it. Right now I need to stay busy 'cause of that little one. You have too much time on your hands, things go through your head," said Clark. Although unemployed, Clark keeps busy with job interviews, exercise and has even enrolled in Metro Business College in Jefferson City with aims to receive an associate's degree in Biblical studies.
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On March 8, Dorie Clark's ex-wife removed her child, Dakota Miner from his care. Clark, who has no legal rights to Dakota, is concerned for his safety and hopes to regain custody soon. Clark stares at an empty miniature red recliner in his living room, which was given to Dakota for Christmas. "He stole my heart the first time I saw him... Hopefully I'll get him back," said Clark.
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Interviews do not worry Dorie Clark. At 65, he has been through plenty and says he is not worried about his interview with the Eldon Police Department. Clark chose to dress business casual for the interview because it was more comfortable.
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Everett Rayl of Versailles, right, is Dorie Clark's pastor and close friend. The two worked together at the F.A. Smith & Company factory in Eldon until both were laid off. Clark and Rayl discuss employment options such as teacher certification or studying computer science.
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Since 2006, Clark has been recording his pulse and blood pressure. He checks it before and after his morning workout and says doing so helps him keep track of "when I'm up, when I'm down and when I'm stressed out."
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Dorie Clark awaits his interview for a position at the Eldon Police Department on Monday in Eldon. With only three officer positions available, Clark hopes his past experience as an officer in the 1980s and good relationship with the current staff will give him an edge of the competition.
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Dorie Clark's desk is filled with important papers and important people. Aside from his current career choice as a future police officer, Clark started his own private investigation business, and he is also a minister. Photos of Dakota Miner, the child who Clark has cared for since the age of three, line the desk's main work space.
¦ VIVIAN ESPARZA
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Those are some awesome pictures! Good Job.