Mayor Jim Morton
In 2007 Jim Morton was elected to the Lynwood City Council on an expired term. He ran for reelection in the November 2007 General Election for the City Council; however he fell shy by 8 votes for reelection. He left office, but later was appointed by the City Council to fill the vacancy created from the resignation of a previous Council Member, and was sworn-in at City Council meeting in 2008. He was appointed to Mayor in December 2011.
As a resident of Lynwood for over four decades, Morton brings many years of service to the community and to the City of Lynwood. He has witnessed many changes in the community and has participated in the governing of the City through service on the City of Lynwood Planning Commission, as well as, serving on the Classified Employee Personnel Commission of the Lynwood Unified School District.
Morton also has a clear understanding of city government. He believes in being decisive and proactive when making decisions and policy. His idea of a well-run city is one in which the City holds the City Manager accountable for implementing the policy set by the City Council, but at the same time the Council does not directly involve itself in running the city.
In terms of services, Morton believes the number one priority is ensuring that there is a safe environment for all who live, work, go to school, and conduct business. He supports the continuation planning and implementation of community development projects to bring in more tax revenue producing development. He also is in support of providing more sustainable housing, including affordable housing for families of low and moderate income.
In addition to serving on the City Council, Morton also currently serves as Chairperson of the Classified Employee Personnel Commission of the Lynwood Unified School District (appointed in 2002). Previously he served on the City of Lynwood Planning Commission for 7 years and was the Chairperson for 3 years, the Lynwood Junior Chamber of Commerce for 10 years, on the Board of Directors for the Lynwood Chamber of Commerce for over 30 years (including President and serving on the Executive Board, the Lynwood Rotary Club for over 25 years (including President three times), an Alternate to Senior District Representative for Senator Alan Lowenthal, and a Delegate to the California Democratic Party State Central Committee for 50th Assembly District.
Over his tenure in public service, Morton has been honored on numerous occasions such as the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Lynwood Junior Chamber of Commerce. He has also won Rotarian of the Year 5 times and was awarded with the honor of Service Above Self on 10 occasions for the Lynwood Rotary Club. He has chaired for the Lynwood Jaycees Annual Golf Tournament. On a national level, he has received the Presidential Award and the honor of Junior Chamber of Commerce International Senator. However most importantly, Morton is particularly proud of being named the 2008 Democrat of the Year from the 50th Assembly District. Morton notes that the “Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Democrat of the Year Award represents the highest award bestowed on any Democrat."