March 30, 2022 – At the March 29, 2022, Special City Council Meeting, the Arcadia City Council unanimously appointed Michael Danielson to fill the District 5 vacancy created by the passing of Council Member Roger Chandler. The appointment became effective immediately and will continue for the unexpired term through November 2022.
“On behalf of the City of Arcadia, I want to congratulate Mike on his appointment to the City
Council,” said Mayor Sho Tay. “The residents of District 5 and the entire Arcadia community will
benefit from Mike’s leadership, compassion, and dedication to our City. My colleagues and I look forward to working with him on the City Council.”
Originally a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Mr. Danielson moved to Los Angeles in 1978, and
worked as a freelance musician for several world-renowned artists including Jerry Lewis, Milton
Berle, Joel Grey, the Four Tops, the Temptations, as well as theatrical productions for Siegfried & Roy and Disneyland, among others. Council Member Danielson is a 36-year resident of Arcadia and a retired Arcadia Unified middle school music teacher. Affectionately known around Arcadia as Mr. D., in 2020, Mr. Danielson was recognized as one of sixteen teachers named Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year from a pool of nearly 70,000 teachers countywide.
During his distinguished career, Mr. Danielson has taught over 10,000 students and received
numerous awards for his instruction including the Profile in Excellence Award (twice), Rotary
Teacher of the Year (twice), Arcadia Teacher of the Year, and the National Endowment of the Arts Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence in the State of California.
Mr. Danielson was also the president of the Arcadia Teachers Association for several years and
was commended for unifying teachers and district administration though listening, transparency,
honest dialogue, and principled decision-making.
In addition to his significant involvement in teaching and mentoring Arcadia’s youth, Mr.
Danielson is also active in the Arcadia Rotary and is an Elder and music worship team musician
for Arcadia Friends Community Church. He currently serves on the Arcadia Performing Arts
Foundation Board and has volunteered his time as an AYSO Soccer Coach, Scoutmaster for Troop 111, and coordinated several music groups for Downtown Arcadia events. "I am incredibly honored by the appointment to the City Council to represent the residents of District 5 and the City we all call home," said Council Member Danielson. "Arcadia is a wonderful place with so much to offer to so many. My life's work has been dedicated to public service and I look forward to uplifting our community in this new and exciting way."
Mr. Danielson is a graduate of the University of Michigan and University of Southern California,
holding several degrees in Music Performance and Music Education. He and his wife, Blennie,
raised their two children in Arcadia, and both graduated from Arcadia High School.
For more information about the appointment of Council Member Danielson, please contact the
City Manager’s Office at (626) 574-5403.