Marilyn John, Candidate for Mayor of Shelby

Address:  21 Cold Draw Court, Shelby, Ohio  44875
Phone:  419-342-7748
Email:  msj@neo.rr.com
Website:  www.marilynjohnformayor.com

I was born on February 22, 1968 in Shelby, Ohio, to Reverend O. Douglas Tackett and the late Gatha Tackett.  I grew up north of town and graduated with honors from Plymouth High School in 1986 and earned an Associates Degree in Business Management from North Central State College in 1988.  In 1990, I graduated cum laude with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management and Marketing followed by a Masters Degree in Business Administration in 1995 from AU.

I worked at the Shelby YMCA Community Center and Cub Cadet during my college years.  After graduating with my Bachelors Degree, I began my career with the Shelby Insurance Company as a commercial lines underwriter.  As an underwriter, I was responsible for maintaining a current book of business, profit/loss ratios and establishing new business opportunities.  In 1998, I helped found the local chapter of the international organization Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) who still meets in Shelby today.

I became the Director of the Shelby Senior Center in 2007.  As Director, I am responsible for all programming, fundraising, marketing, facility maintenance and finances for the Senior Center.  I am active in the Shelby community through the Shelby Rotary Club Board of Directors, PCTC Facilities Services Advisory Council, Shelby YMCA Community Center Board of Directors, and the Shelby City Schools Building Advisory Council.  I also represent the City of Shelby at the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council. 

I have been married to my husband, Kevin, for 14 years and we have a son, Noah, and a daughter, Elya.  We attend Crossroads Community Church.

I feel the top priority for the City of Shelby is addressing the Black Fork flooding.  There are three areas that need to be addressed, flood reduction, a monitoring and alert system during flood events and flood preparedness.  I attended the early meetings dealing with flooding that have since resulted in the Flood Management Commission brought forth by Councilman Steve Schag.  It is imperative that a plan be put in place and then acted on.  There have been many studies of this issue over the past 22 years and it is past time to act. 

By addressing the flood issue, we can then begin addressing economic development in our city.  I have already begun visiting businesses in our community and feel it is the responsibility of the city administration to market the city to our citizens and the surrounding area.  We need to reach out to our businesses and find what their needs are and how we can meet those needs.  We also need to be finding those businesses that are interested in expanding and reaching out to them.  We have many positive attributes, the new industrial green space, beautiful parks, excellent schools, NC State and PCTC that can be used to encourage businesses to locate to Shelby.  Once again, we need to act to make this happen.

Part of my economic development plan includes revitalization of the Central Business District.  Although there are differences in what works for retail businesses today verses 40 years ago, there are still improvements that can be made to make our downtown come to life again.  Creating an inviting space where people want to spend their time will bring foot traffic back to the downtown and businesses back.  This can be accomplished through developing the new green space, adding lighting, better signage showing where parking is available, bringing in trees and having events downtown.

There is so much potential for our city.  We need a mayor who offers a clear vision for our future and who has the energy, education and charisma to get the job done.  I have spent the past year preparing for this opportunity by attending city council meetings, strategic planning meetings, flood management meetings and visiting our utility departments.  I bring a variety of experience to the job and am excited to get to work to serve our community.  Thank you for your support on November 3^rd.