Lionel Cade served as Mayor of Compton, California from 1977-1981. An accountant by training, after he was elected Cade ordered an audit of the city's finances and discovered that Compton was $2 million in debt. He then initiated cost cutting measures that eliminated the debt in one year. Unfortunately, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 13 that year, a tax cutting measure. Since Compton had already trimmed most of the fat in the budget, it was one of the cities hardest hit by the measure. During his re-election campaign in 1981, Cade was soundly defeated by Walter R. Tucker, Jr. Previously, Cade had served on the City Council from 1964-1973.

Cade lived in Compton for over twenty years and served as president of the Chamber of Commerce. He was also active in the Rotary Club and was a board member of the National Council of Campfire. During World War II, he was a member of the U.S. Army's first black paratroop battalion, the 555th. He also served in the Korean War.

For nine years, Cade was a field deputy for state Sen. Ralph C. Dills (D-Gardena).

For more information see Los Angeles Times obituary, "Former Councilman and Mayor Lionel Cade Dies," April 12, 1990, Page J-2.

Lionel Cade served as Mayor of Compton, California from 1977-1981. An accountant by training, after he was elected Cade ordered an audit of the city's finances and discovered that Compton was $2 million in debt. He then initiated cost cutting measures that eliminated the debt in one year. Unfortunately, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 13 that year, a tax cutting measure. Since Compton had already trimmed most of the fat in the budget, it was one of the cities hardest hit by the measure. During his re-election campaign in 1981, Cade was soundly defeated by Walter R. Tucker, Jr. Previously, Cade had served on the City Council from 1964-1973.

Cade lived in Compton for over twenty years and served as president of the Chamber of Commerce. He was also active in the Rotary Club and was a board member of the National Council of Campfire. During World War II, he was a member of the U.S. Army's first black paratroop battalion, the 555th. He also served in the Korean War.

For nine years, Cade was a field deputy for state Sen. Ralph C. Dills (D-Gardena).

For more information see Los Angeles Times obituary, "Former Councilman and Mayor Lionel Cade Dies," April 12, 1990, Page J-2.