Represents on MWD board: City of Compton
Joined MWD board: April 2009
Current MWD committee appointments:
Member: Organization and Personnel; Legal and Claims Committee and Real Property and Asset Management Committee.
Professional and community activities:
Councilwoman Yvonne Arceneaux retired from the Compton Unified School District, after 26 years of dedicated service and commitment to the education of Compton’s youth.
She was elected to the Compton City Council in 1993 to represent the Third District, and now serving her fifth term, claims the distinction of having the second longest tenure in the history of the council.
During her time on the Compton City Council, Councilwoman Arceneaux, who takes pride in her community activism and involvement in numerous civic organizations, has been especially responsive to the needs of the community and has served as a formidable advocate on behalf of her constituents. Her key areas of concern include pushing for the overall beautification of the city with a special emphasis on improving and revitalizing the Compton Creek.
Councilwoman Arceneaux chairs the Compton Creek Task Force, which was established in December 2001 by the late Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald to address environmental issues within the creek. The task force is a collaborative partnership of city, county, state and federal government agencies and non-profit organizations.
Under Councilwoman Arceneaux’s leadership, the group has been the driving force behind development of a master plan for the Compton Creek Regional Garden Park. This is a multi-million dollar project that includes new open space for the city and improvements to the creek and surrounding neighborhoods. When completed, the park will provide opportunities for recreation for children and families, and is expected to attract tourists from around the world.
Other noteworthy projects, programs and achievements of the Councilwoman include: establishment of the Compton Crime Task Force which, after eight months, resulted in a 50% reduction in murders and a 13% reduction in crime overall; creation of the Father of the Year Awards ceremony, launched to acknowledge and honor good fathers and men who have been positive role models and mentors for Compton’s youth; and development of the Seniors Are Compton’s Sweethearts Award to honor seniors who have made a positive investment in the community.
Councilwoman Arceneaux, an active member of the Holy Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Compton, also championed passage of an ordinance that resulted in Compton becoming the first city in the State of California to ban alcohol and tobacco billboards.