Jane D. Robbins
Encyclopedia
Jane D. Robbins served on the Compton
City Council from 1976 until 1995.
(July 28, 1878—February 8, 1965), a school teacher, who in 1924 became Compton's first mayor and the former Meda Kelso (October 2, 1885—July 31, 1962). Both of her parents are natives of the state of Missouri
.
She met her future husband, Compton Police Officer Robert Robbins on a blind date. They married just three days later. The union produced two daughters, Paula Mae and Robyn Jane.
In 1976, when Compton City Councilman Hillard Hamm was convicted of extortion
, Robbins, won a special election to fill his seat. Prior to her election, she was principal of Dickison Elementary, named after her father.
Robbins who'd rather recite a poem or share anecdotes about the city's history than debate political issues, was so beloved by her constituents, that she won reelection four times without extensive campaigning. She served until 1995, when she lost a fifth reelection bid to Fred Cressel.
Upon her defeat, Omar Bradley
, Compton's often controversial mayor, spoke very highly of her. "Miss Robbins never ever said a mean thing about anyone. She was never vindictive, even when she was attacked," Bradley was quoted in a Los Angeles Times
article about her. "I would like to be more like that."
Upon leaving office, Robbins had the distinction of having the longest tenure of service on the Compton City Council. Yvonne Arceneaux
, elected to a fifth term on the Council in 2009, stands to break her record in 2012 if she remains in office.
Robbins died on March 1, 2008 at the age of 88.
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...
City Council from 1976 until 1995.
Biography
Born Jane Ellen Dickison on June 26, 1919, as the daughter of Clarence Anson DickisonC. A. Dickison
Clarence A. Dickison served as Mayor of Compton, California from 1924 until 1933.-Biography:Clarence Anson Dickison is a native of the state of Missouri. He married Meda Kelso and this union produced two children. In 1924, he became mayor of Compton and served nine years. He lost re-election to...
(July 28, 1878—February 8, 1965), a school teacher, who in 1924 became Compton's first mayor and the former Meda Kelso (October 2, 1885—July 31, 1962). Both of her parents are natives of the state of Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
.
She met her future husband, Compton Police Officer Robert Robbins on a blind date. They married just three days later. The union produced two daughters, Paula Mae and Robyn Jane.
In 1976, when Compton City Councilman Hillard Hamm was convicted of extortion
Extortion
Extortion is a criminal offence which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion. Refraining from doing harm is sometimes euphemistically called protection. Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime...
, Robbins, won a special election to fill his seat. Prior to her election, she was principal of Dickison Elementary, named after her father.
Robbins who'd rather recite a poem or share anecdotes about the city's history than debate political issues, was so beloved by her constituents, that she won reelection four times without extensive campaigning. She served until 1995, when she lost a fifth reelection bid to Fred Cressel.
Upon her defeat, Omar Bradley
Omar Bradley (California politician)
Omar Bradley was the mayor of Compton from 1993 until 2001.- Biography :Omar Bradley grew up in Compton, California. As an adult, he stayed in the neighborhood and taught high school before entering politics....
, Compton's often controversial mayor, spoke very highly of her. "Miss Robbins never ever said a mean thing about anyone. She was never vindictive, even when she was attacked," Bradley was quoted in a Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
article about her. "I would like to be more like that."
Upon leaving office, Robbins had the distinction of having the longest tenure of service on the Compton City Council. Yvonne Arceneaux
Yvonne Arceneaux
Yvonne Arceneaux is currently the senior member of the Compton City Council. She also serves on the board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.- Biography :...
, elected to a fifth term on the Council in 2009, stands to break her record in 2012 if she remains in office.
Robbins died on March 1, 2008 at the age of 88.