Eric Cutlip running for Third Ward Shelby City Council seat
Eric Cutlip is not originally from Shelby but moved here because of the great schools, affordable taxes, and small town feeling. He said, “I have owned the same home in the third ward for over fifteen years with no plans of moving.” Originally, Cutlip went to school right next door in Ontario, but his family moved to Florida when he was a teenager. After graduating highschool he moved around from Florida, to college in Tennessee, then Kentucky, and finally back to Ohio.
“I never felt at home until moving to Shelby,” said Cutlip. He lives with his wife and daughter, with a son who is away at college. He says, “As a family we enjoy nature, especially hiking and fishing together. My wife and I are very much ‘do it yourself’ people and stay very active with various home projects. One of our recent projects was planting a pollinating field right here in ward three.”
Eric Cutlip currently works for Shelby City Schools as the Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor. “Working for the school has familiarized me with working with a budget and being fiscally responsible with taxpayers’ dollars. I work closely with the treasurer’s office ensuring my department stays within the budget. It’s really fulfilling knowing I am maintaining a high level of safety for our children’s transportation,” Cutlip said.
In addition to working for the school, Cutlip has been volunteering his time on the City of Shelby’s Planning Commission and Shade
Tree Commission, both since 2021. He said that both of the commissions have allowed him to become accustomed to working on a board and with city processes. Cutlip has done a significant amount of research for both of the commissions.
For example, last year, the Shade Tree Commission started collaborating with the parks to enhance the tree canopies within the parks. “We planned our projects, applied for a grant, I personally attended a seminar, and we are continuing work on updating the city’s tree ordinance,” said Cutlip.
Cutlip plans to take his experiences working for the school and the city commissions and expand his service to the city as the Third Ward Council Member. “While Shelby is a great place to live and raise your family, like everywhere, there are areas of improvement,” he said. He mentioned blight being a concern and is eager to work with other council members and the city administration on improving the quality of housing.
“My vision is to improve the aesthetics of the city by adding more native trees and plants to landscaping throughout the city,” said Cutlip. The city has already started this process with the downtown revitalization project. However, he wishes to expand on their work because he feels it will attract more visitors and increase business. Cutlip also feels that maintaining and improving Shelby’s aging infrastructure is vital. “I will work with the city’s economic development team, focusing on these items to attract new business and expand economic growth,” he said.
Anita Flynn Allen has always been creative. While in school, she took five years of home economic class and it’s where she picked up her love of sewing. She has sewn many different projects over the years including clothes for herself and family members, quilts, and other items.
“I love working with my hands. I’ll try anything once, you know. If I see something I like, I’ll try it,” said Allen. She also enjoys incorporating her vintage thrift store finds into her projects.
As a child, she made clothes for her paper dolls with colored pencils. Allen had always dreamed of going to fashion school in Georgia to be a designer
“Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February; Presidents’ Day 2023 will occur on February 20. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day