Anita Merritt is a Contracts Administrator for Myer Salit Limited which is a dynamic fifth-generation, family-owned and operated business since 1905. Salit Steel is a company that believes in giving back to the community and that is important to Anita.
Anita has worked in all fields of Business Administration for the last 34 years and today spends her workdays communicating with many departments within the company such as Sales, Shipping, and Credit and also negotiates contract terms and conditions with many of the company’s high-profiled construction clients.
Anita has a passion for assisting her co-workers and obtaining a successful outcome with all their daily tasks. Anita also has a passion for her church community and her neighbourhood community. For many years now, Anita has been the Master of Ceremonies for the annual “Christmas on the Twenty” event which has raised thousands of dollars for the West Lincoln Community Care. Anita is also involved with the church in assisting the McNally Hospice with providing supplies for their kitchen. In the winter months, Anita also collects much-needed socks and mittens for the schools in downtown Hamilton. Anita is grateful for her communities of work, church, and neighbourhood and will always strive to make them the best they can be. Anita believes that living is giving.
Anita lives in West Lincoln with her husband Richard and their two sons, Alex and Benson. Anita’s family lives on her husband’s family century farm and their sons are the fourth generation.
I believe there are many attributes to being a good leader. A good leader will recognize the value of their people and will encourage them to be the best they can be. A good leader will promote, reward, involve, defend and empower (PRIDE) their people. A good leader must also have integrity, they must practice their values, just not profess them.
Civic Leadership is promoting the quality of life in a community. By volunteering your time, knowledge, skills and passion to develop a community that you enjoy living in and a community to be proud of. Civic Leadership is inspiring people to work together to make a difference.
I am personally motivated to explore Civic Leadership because I want to see my community prosper and grow. Bringing people together and taking pride in accomplishing a task to benefit their community. Helping each other and improving the quality of living within their community.
To me, living is giving.
I believe there are many issues facing our community, one being the increasing need for more seniors programs and long-term care facilities. I would like to help improve the resources for Wellness and Prevention Programs, Homecare, Residential Programs and Services, Long-term Care Programs, Hospital-based Care and Palliative Care.
By 2041, 25% of Niagara’s population will be 65+ and as a community, we need to be prepared and provide all the best resources we can for our seniors.
I would also like to mention the issue of Youth Mental Health. I believe it is so important for our youth to have a strong foundation to build their futures on. I would like to be involved with getting more professional help for youth who are searching for answers to help them deal with the challenges and feelings they are facing today.