Joe Merton

Bringing experienced leadership to Carson

The City Treasurer's Office of Carson had been under the able supervision of the indefatigable Mary Custer for as long as one can remember. The veteran Custer had after all done a great job managing the city's finances that she was reelected term after term. But the Grand Lady had to finally step down for health reasons, paving the way for new faces to aspire for the elective post.

A promising Filipino executive, Ray Monzon, contested the position in 1999, but despite a spirited campaign and a good impression sent to voters, he lost to the unbeatable Custer. With Custer out of the race this year, a distinguished leader of the Filipino community has decided to throw his hat into the ring.

Jose "Joe" Merton, an 18-year resident of Carson and a long-time Filipino community leader, is running against three other candidates for the full-time job of city treasurer. The city treasurer is responsible for the receipt, collection, safekeeping, and disbursement of Carson's revenues. The city treasurer is also responsible for the accurate accounting and sound investment of the city's money.

Merton brings with him decades of experience as an accomplished businessman and an outstanding track record of community service and leadership.

Merton graduated with a bachelor's degree in banking and finance from Francisco College in the Philippines. Upon his arrival in the United States in 1980, he first lived in Carson and then moved briefly to Las Vegas, where he worked as auditor of the Mint Hotel and Casino. In 1982, he moved to Los Angeles where he worked as manager for some commercial companies, then went back to Carson in 1984, where he has resided since.

For a year, he worked in the production control department of a manufacturing firm in Gardena before finally setting up his insurance brokerage business in 1985. He was also a licensed real estate agent and was involved in exports.

Merton is currently a planning commissioner in Carson, sharing his valuable time in helping Carson become a better city. He also served as parks and recreation commissioner of Carson.

Merton started his political involvement in 1992 when he actively supported Filipino candidates, including former Carson Mayor Pete Fajardo. He served unofficially as the Filipino community liaison in City Hall, helping Filipinos with matters such as those involving first-time homebuyer's program, street repairs, tree-trimming and many other things.

In 1998, he helped found the Confederation of Filipino American Associations (CONFAA) and became its first secretary general. CONFAA's primary objectives were to raise funds for the building of a Filipino Community Center in Carson, serving Filipino veterans in Carson, and to promote the welfare of the city's youth through an after-school program. The group's after-school program was promoted mostly through the Southern California Basketball Alliance, which Merton helped organize.

Merton is also chairman of the board of the Philippine Independence Day Foundation, which helps prepare for the celebration of Philippine Independence Day in the city of Carson. This followed Merton's successful coordination of the Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Carson in 1999, 2000, and 200.

Merton is also currently the chairman for Los Angeles County of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NAFFAA).

"I wish to continue my service to the community of Carson through the city treasurer's office," Merton said. "My main agenda is to support the development of programs designed to address drug use and dependence, concerns for battered women and children, scholarship grants for deserving students, and improved after-school programs for the youth."

Merton is married to Rizalina, a financial counselor for both the Little Company of Mary Hospital and Kaiser Permanente. They have two children Ñ Jonathan, a computer engineering student at the Long Beach College, and Jacqueline, an 11th grader at Torrance High.