Council Member Jim Morton

Council Member Jim Morton was elected to the Lynwood City Council in the recall election held on September 25, 2007, and was sworn-in as a council member on October 16, 2007. Morton replaced a council member whose term expired in November.

Morton was on the ballot for the November General Election for the City Council and was 8 votes short for election at the November 2007 General Election. Morton left office on December 4, 2008, but later was appointed by the City Council to fill the vacancy created from the resignation of Council Member Martinez, and was sworn-in at the Council Meeting on March 4. 2008.

Council Member Morton brings to the City Council many years of service to the community and to the City of Lynwood. As a resident of Lynwood for over four decades, 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 brings to the City Council, a clear understanding of how he believes the City should be governed. The Council needs to be decisive and proactive in making decisions and policy that are clearly understood. The implementation of this policy is the responsibility of the City Manager and the staff who report to him, and in turn, by all the employees throughout the city. Morton believes that 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.

Morton believes that the major issues for the City are obtaining the necessary revenues to provide the services needed and wanted by the residents of the City. In terms of services, number one priority is ensuring that there is a safe environment for all who live, work, go to school, conduct business, shop and otherwise participate in the life of the community. Morton states that the continuation of the planning and implementation of redevelopment projects to bring in more tax revenue producing redevelopment must be a high priority. In addition, he states that providing more housing, a portion of which needs to be affordable for persons and families of low and moderate income, is very important for the City.

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, first appointed in 2002. Previously he served on the City of Lynwood Planning Commission for 7 years and was the Chairperson for 3 years.

Morton served in the Lynwood Junior Chamber of Commerce for 10 years. In addition to serving as Vice President, Morton was honored with the award of Volunteer of the Year. Among other awards, he received the Presidential Award and the honor of Junior Chamber of Commerce International Senator. One of the many projects he chaired for the Lynwood Jaycees was the Annual Golf Tournament. Morton served on the Board of Directors for the Lynwood Chamber of Commerce for over thirty years. This included serving as President, and serving on the Executive Board, which included multiple terms for 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents and Secretary

Morton presently is President of the Lynwood Rotary Club for the Year 2008-2009. Morton has been active in the Rotary Club for 23 years. During this 23 year period, he has had perfect attendance. He has served as President twice before his current election year and has been Rotarian of the Year 5 times, and was awarded with the honor of Service Above Self on 10 occasions. For the Year 2008-2009, he has been appointed as an Alternate to Luis H. Marquez, Sr. District Representative for Sen. Alan Lowenthal, who is a member of the L. A. County Democratic Central Committee. Morton is also a Delegate to the California Democratic Party, State Central Committee, for Assembly District 50.

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."