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Editor's Note: The following candidate response was not included in Salem Township trustee pre-election story published in the Oct. 25 edition.
Joe Merritt
Merritt, 45, of South Glenview Lane, Leetonia, has spent 12 years in the oilfield as a supervisor working in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio with Chesapeake Energy/Great Plains Oilfield. In 2015, he became the instructor for the Truck and Diesel program at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center (MCCTC) in Canfield. Merritt is also the owner/operator of Merritt Property Solutions in Leetonia.
Merritt graduated high school from Philip Barbour High School in Philippi, West Virginia, after moving there from Riverside, California, in middle school. He received a degree in Auto Diesel Mechanics from Nashville Auto Diesel College and a Career Technical Educator licensure in Medium/Heavy Truck Technician instruction. He served as a volunteer firefighter for several years in West Virginia and holds multiple certifications in this area. He holds certifications that involve the integration of technology into instruction.
Merritt was a volunteer football coach with the Leetonia Bears football program in the 2023 year. He is the coordinator and facilitator of the Truck and Diesel Advisory Board of the MCCTC. He was a coach for CASA soccer. He served as the secretary of the Barbour County Fire Board. He is a member of the Masonic Grand Lodge No. 125 in West Virginia.
Merritt is married to Jennifer Merritt and they reside in Leetonia with four of their children. The eldest son in the family is a police officer in Virginia.
Merritt ran in the 2021 election for Salem Township trustee, missing being elected by under 20 votes. He has not held any other public office.
Merritt said he has many qualifications that make him an excellent candidate for this position. According to Merrit, his knowledge of community infrastructure and operational and organizational management of public service in the community will promote optimal function and growth of the township. He also said he has knowledge of grant writing that will benefit the acquisition of available resources to the area. Additionally, he said his demonstrated leadership skills will support a collaborative process working with other trustees and stakeholders that will promote positive change and growth.
Merritt is running for this office because he said he believes it is critical to involve the people in the processes that shape their community as well as encouraging youth to participate in civic engagement. He said he believes that his knowledge of working with multiple agencies in emergency management coordination as well as assisting to build financial stability in the fire department in which he served can significantly support the vision and mission of the Salem Township community.
Merrit said he has the "utmost respect" for all of the trustees currently in office and the service they have provided. However, he said he believes bringing his unique perspective, work ethic, experience working with public agencies, ability to work collaboratively and encourage participation, and exposure to new methods and technologies will bring the township even further.