Lillie P. Darden - District 4

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Councilmember Lillie P. Darden
(310) 605-5511
ldarden@comptoncity.org

Liaison
Dean L. Jones
(310) 761-1482 (Office)
(310) 387-2939 (Mobile)
dljones@comptoncity.org

Dean Self

City of Compton Charter
General Plan 2030

Objective

My name is Lillie P. Darden, as I greatly value the opportunity to serve the citizens of Compton. It is my vision to consistently improve the Compton community. [Scroll down to review a list of District 4 accomplishments since July 2021.]

To be the Council Member representative of the City of Compton, I am delivering exceptional communication to all, and working to facilitate quality resources for all.

What Work Can I Do For You?

Build Stronger Transparency in City Government
Attract Job Opportunities and Training Programs
Encounter Resources for Ending the Homeless Matter in the City
Generate Funds for Improving the Streets, Bridges and Infrastructure
Expand Up-to-date Education Opportunities for Young Adults and Seniors
Support Recovery Programs for Small and Local Business Enterprises
Safer Streets through Parks and Recreational Programs

Qualifications

Retired City Management Employee
Skilled in collaborating with others
Have a genuine interest within the field of education
Enthusiastic, professional and reliable
Have first-hand knowledge Compton as longstanding resident

My Promise

To make important progress and ensure that your voice will be heard. You can make certain that you will never be out of the loop.

Lillie P. Darden is widely recognized and respected for her more than a quarter of a Century management of Compton's citywide environmental water and refusal services for the Public who live, work and play in the City of Compton. Lillie is the Chief Executive Officer of Darden Tax Service and former Notary Public in Compton and her dedication to improving municipal life has earned her formal City Council recognitions for outstanding and distinguished record of service to the community.

Since 1970, the City of Compton has been home, where Lillie and husband Eddie Darden, Jr. successfully raised two (2) daughters, each attending and graduating from Compton Unified School District schools. For more than 50 years, Lillie consistently contributes her time and talents to provide for basic human needs to provide safe, decent and viable attractive neighborhoods within the City of Compton. Her constant goal is to add value toward enhancement of resources that build positive individual, family, and community growth as it relates to business expansion and local employment opportunities.

Lillie served as the City's General Manager of the Compton Municipal Water Department. Annually, she was responsible for efficiently administering a $13 million-dollar budget, which included effectively managing and motivating a staff of 25 people. In this capacity, Lillie prepared Staff Reports, Council Resolutions, and departmental budgets. Additionally, a thorough management of the City of Compton's refuse and recycling services contract to residential and commercial customers completed.

This exemplary work product led the City of Compton City Council to appoint Lillie to represent the city on high priority developments and intergovernmental boards, such as being the key Staff person working with a foremost Project Manager on the construction of Fire Station #3 at Gonzales Park, Construction Project of Water Well on Compton Boulevard, moreover, but not limited to carrying out active appointments to;

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California,
The Central and West Basin Municipal Water Districts,
The State of California Recycling Program, and
Water Awareness Month Poster Program, in conjunction with the Compton Unified School District for Elementary Students.

In consideration to carrying out the district 4 councilmember duties, Lillie will be able to provide continuity in creating and promoting an inclusive community service. Due in part as prior to leading the City's water department, Lillie fulfilled roles in municipal operations of Public Works, Planning, Housing, Fire, and the City Manager's office. This wide-ranging experience supports Lillie's knowledge and understanding of Charter City obligations, and vital adherence to federal and state regulations and guidelines.

Lillie remains as a Compton resident and homeowner who is active in the city's growth where she has fully participated as a Planning Commissioner, Federal Grants Advisory Board (FGAB) Commissioner, and is currently the Chairperson for the City's Measure P Committee. Lillie also volunteered for the Compton Christmas Parade in 2012, has been President and Secretary of the Poinsettia Avenue Block Club [District 4], and is on the Trustee Board of Greater Phillips Chapel CME Church, Compton California.

Lillie is a Lifetime member of VFW Post 5394 Ladies Auxiliary. Her community support has enabled her to work with the Women's Congressional Council for 37th Congressional District, Board of Directors for the Compton Municipal Federal Credit Union, Treasurer of the local NAACP Chapter, Treasurer of Concerned Citizens of Compton, Member of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators and worthily completed membership of Toastmaster's International.

Lillie received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Additionally, Lillie attended Prairie View A&M College, Texas Southern University, Los Angeles Trade Technical College and Compton Community College [District 4].

In Spanish

Lillie P. Darden is widely recognized and respected for her stewardship of the City of Compton's water, waste, and environmental services for more than a quarter of a century, serving the public who live, work, and play in Compton. Lillie is the Executive Director of Darden Tax Service and a former Compton Notary Public. Her dedication to improving municipal life has earned her formal recognition from the City Council for her outstanding and distinguished record of community service.

Since 1970, the City of Compton has been home to Lillie and her husband Eddie Darden, Jr. They have successfully raised two (2) daughters, each of whom attended and graduated from the Compton Unified School District schools. For over 50 years, Lillie has consistently contributed her time and talents to meet basic human needs by providing safe, decent, and viable neighborhoods within the City of Compton. Her constant goal is to add value to enhance the resources that build positive individual, family, and community growth as it relates to business expansion and local employment opportunities.

Lillie served as the General Manager for the City of Compton's Municipal Water Department. She was responsible for efficiently managing a $13 million budget annually, which included effectively managing and motivating a staff of 25. In this capacity, Lillie prepared staff reports, council resolutions, and departmental budgets. Additionally, she completed extensive management of the City of Compton's recycling and garbage services contract for residential and commercial customers.

This exemplary work product led the Compton City Council to appoint Lillie to represent the city on high-priority developments and intergovernmental meetings, such as serving as the key staff person working with the key Project Manager on the construction of Fire Station #3 at Gonzales Park, the Compton Boulevard Water Well Construction Project, and, but not limited to, making active appointments to:

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
The Municipal Water Districts of the Central and Western Basin,
The California State Recycling Program,
Water Awareness Month poster program, in partnership with the Compton Unified School District, for elementary students.

In consideration of carrying out the duties of the Ward 4 Council, Lillie will be able to provide continuity in the creation and promotion of an inclusive community service. This is due in part to the fact that prior to leading the City's Water Department, Lillie held roles in municipal operations in Public Works, Planning, Housing, Fire, and the City Manager's Office. This extensive experience supports Lillie's knowledge and understanding of the obligations of the City's charter and vital compliance with federal and state regulations and guidelines.

Lillie remains a Compton resident and homeowner actively involved in the city’s growth, where she has served as a Planning Commissioner, a Commissioner on the Federal Grant Advisory Board (JASF), and is currently the Chair of the City’s Measure P Committee. Lillie also volunteered for the 2012 Compton Christmas Parade, has served as President and Secretary of the Poinsettia Ave Block Club [District 4], and serves on the Board of Trustees for Greater Phillips Chapel CME Church, Compton, California.

Lillie is a lifetime member of the VFW Post 5394 Women's Auxiliary. Her community advocacy has allowed her to serve on the Congressional District 37 Council of the Women's Congress, the Board of Directors of the Compton Municipal Federal Credit Union, Treasurer of the local NAACP, Treasurer of the Compton Concerned Citizens, a member of the National Forum of Black Public Administrators, and a worthy recipient of Toastmaster's International.

Lillie received a bachelor's degree in public administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She also attended Prairie View A&M College, Texas Southern University, Los Angeles Trade Technical College, and Compton Community College [District 4].

My Accomplishments

Advocate for Crystal Crab House Restaurant Expansion
Annual City Parade (3)
Artesia Bridge Rehabilitation
Block Club / Concerned Citizen Meeting Participation
Business Attraction [Early Childhood Programs at Children's Institute, Volunteers of America General Child Care]
Business Grand Openings (5) [Myplace Health, US Bank, Big 5, Crystal Crab House, Personnel Partners, Compton's Original Seafood & Chicken Restaurant, Color Compton, US Renal Care]
Business Mixers with Chambers of Commerce
Business Roundtables (5)
CA State Mandated Audit Committee Member
Christmas Toy Drives & Giveaways
City Council Meetings (135+)
City Work Order Submittals (500+, including Graffiti Abatement, Street Repair, Illegal Dumping, Sidewalk Restoration, …)
Clean and Beautify [3rd ^Saturdays ]
Coffee with a Cop (3)
Community Clean-Ups w/Compton Initiative, Bright Lights of Compton & HWPL
Community Cluster Meeting on Human Trafficking
Created Street Banners
Crystal Crab House Liquor License Approval
Electric Vehicle Free Ride & Drive Event
Financial Freedom Workshops (3)
Girls Empowerment Workshops
Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count
Halloween Programs (3)
Kelly Park - New Playground Apparatus
Long Beach Boulevard Lane Stripping
'Lot Cop' Cameras to review illegal activity
Mother's Day Luncheons (3)
Movies in Kelly Park (3)
National Nights Out (4)
Retained New State-of-the-Art Fire Truck Engines
Retained UniverSoul Circus [12-week Run]
Santa Sleigh Rides w/LASD
Senior Citizen Luncheons and Dances
Senior Event Bus Transportation Provision (2)
Senior Hoedowns (3)
Senior Prom Day Luncheon
Service Recognition Awards
Shredding and E-Waste Programs (3)
Street Dedication for Compton City Legend (Eazy Street)
Street Rehabilitation (Santa Fe Ave / Bullis Road / Alondra Blvd.)
Thanksgiving Food & Turkey Giveaways (3)
Town Halls (6)
Tree Trimming and Stump Grinding
Valentine's Day Programs (2)
Youth Soccer & Cricket Sports Programs

On September 23, 2025, Leslie Sykes announced her retirement from ABC7. Sykes began her on-air career in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, according to KABC. Born in San Diego, Sykes grew up in Compton and attended Spelman College in Georgia.

The morning anchor celebrated 30 years with Eyewitness News in December. She said she’ll be with ABC7 for the “next month or so.”

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