Lionel Cade
Encyclopedia
Lionel B. Cade was an American accountant who served as mayor of Compton, California
, from 1977 until 1981.
, he was a member of the U.S. Army's first black paratroop battalion, the 555th. He also served his country during the Korean War
.
Cade earned a bachelor's degree at the University of San Francisco
and a master's from USC
.
When the Rev. Raul Imschweiler did not seek re-election to the Compton City Council in 1961, Cade ran for his seat. He lost to Robert Kerr by just 413 votes. In 1964, he was appointed to the Council, one of the first African American
s to serve there. He was elected to a four-year term the following year and reelected in 1969. He would be a member of the council until 1973, when he made his first attempt as mayor. He finished third. Despite that defeat, he was successful on his second try in 1977.
An accountant
by profession, Cade ordered an audit of the city's finances soon after he took office. He discovered that the city had a deficit of $2 million. As a result of that finding, Cade initiated a series of cost-cutting measures that wiped out the debt within one year. Unfortunately, in 1978, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 13, an initiative that severely reduced property tax revenues. Since much of the fat was already eliminated from Compton's budget, it was one of the most hardest hit by the measure.
In his 1981 reelection campaign, Cade was soundly defeated by his opponent, Walter R. Tucker, Jr.
, a local dentist. Cade later moved to Stockton
, where he spent the remainder of his life.
He died April 3, 1990. He had suffered from emphysema
.
Compton, California
Compton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city of Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and on May 11, 1888, was the eighth city to incorporate. The city is considered part of the South side by residents of Los...
, from 1977 until 1981.
Biography
Lionel B. Cade was born in Hardin County, Texas on August 14, 1918, the son of Charley and Virginia (Slocum) Cade. During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he was a member of the U.S. Army's first black paratroop battalion, the 555th. He also served his country during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
Cade earned a bachelor's degree at the University of San Francisco
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of...
and a master's from USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
.
When the Rev. Raul Imschweiler did not seek re-election to the Compton City Council in 1961, Cade ran for his seat. He lost to Robert Kerr by just 413 votes. In 1964, he was appointed to the Council, one of the first African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
s to serve there. He was elected to a four-year term the following year and reelected in 1969. He would be a member of the council until 1973, when he made his first attempt as mayor. He finished third. Despite that defeat, he was successful on his second try in 1977.
An accountant
Accountant
An accountant is a practitioner of accountancy or accounting , which is the measurement, disclosure or provision of assurance about financial information that helps managers, investors, tax authorities and others make decisions about allocating resources.The Big Four auditors are the largest...
by profession, Cade ordered an audit of the city's finances soon after he took office. He discovered that the city had a deficit of $2 million. As a result of that finding, Cade initiated a series of cost-cutting measures that wiped out the debt within one year. Unfortunately, in 1978, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 13, an initiative that severely reduced property tax revenues. Since much of the fat was already eliminated from Compton's budget, it was one of the most hardest hit by the measure.
In his 1981 reelection campaign, Cade was soundly defeated by his opponent, Walter R. Tucker, Jr.
Walter R. Tucker, Jr.
Walter R. Tucker, Jr. was a dentist who served nine years as the Mayor of Compton, California.- Biography :Walter Rayford Tucker, Jr. was born in Oklahoma. He became a dentist and moved to Compton, California in the 1950s...
, a local dentist. Cade later moved to Stockton
Stockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
, where he spent the remainder of his life.
He died April 3, 1990. He had suffered from emphysema
Emphysema
Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary...
.