Merton is a street activist and community organizer. He is also an Albany County legislator. He is best known for his work with SHARE, the Sheridan Hollow Alliance for Renewable Energy that he co-chairs with Ruth Foster. SHARE's hard work has borne tangible fruit, but there is still a long way to go. Merton is also a Prime Sponsor of a bill to ban the sale of flavors, including menthol, from e-cigarettes and cigarettes. Menthol is a racial justice issue.