Mayor Urges Residents to Help Rejuvenate Community

In a sunny state-of-the-city address three weeks before municipal elections, Compton Mayor Omar Bradley kicked off a campaign Tuesday to recruit 2,000 residents to help rejuvenate the community.

Though he acknowledged a crisis in the city’s public schools, Bradley and other members of the City Council said volunteerism combined with several positive developments over the past three years will make the city safer and more economically viable.

“In a nutshell, Compton’s doing much, much better, thank you,” Bradley told a near-capacity crowd gathered in the City Council chambers. “And by the time we hit the 21st century running, we think you’ll hardly recognize the place.”

Councilwoman Marcine B. Shaw cited police statistics indicating a 17.7% drop in major crimes last year compared to 1994. Homicides were down 15%, she said, reflecting progress in the city’s community policing and volunteer programs.

Councilman Fred Cressel, appearing in a video recording, outlined several new industrial and retail developments within the city, putting special emphasis on the city’s new Crystal Park hotel and casino. He said restaurants and a proposed 16-screen movie theater next to the casino are expected to draw visitors from across the region.

“You see, we’re interested in capturing the entertainment dollar,” said Cressel, who was out of town on official business. “It doesn’t matter if it’s from our citizens or citizens who live in the surrounding communities.”

Bradley added that Compton’s unemployment rate dropped from 16.2% in 1994 to 14% last year, and he predicted that it would drop another 2% by 2000.

The mayor, Shaw and Councilwoman Yvonne Arceneaux are up for reelection April 15. Arceneaux is the only candidate running unopposed. Cressel is challenging Bradley.