Welcome!

The members and officers of the Shelby Area Democratic Club welcome you to our website. And we welcome you to attend our monthly meetings. Generally the club meets on the third Thursday of each month in the Sutter-Roush Room at 23 East Main Street (Rear) behind the Municipal Utilities Office at 7:00 p.m. Our meetings usually begin with a speaker in an informal, conversational setting. We then have our monthly business meeting. All Democrats and people of goodwill are welcome to attend.

Dems to get state party update...

Ohio Democratic Party headquarters in downtown Columbus

At their February 20th meeting, Shelby Area Democrats will hear an update from their Democratic state central committee members. Paula Watson of Ashland and Phil Scott of Mansfield serve on the Ohio Democratic Party's central committee from the 22nd State Senate District, which includes all of Richland, Ashland, and Medina counties and a portion of Holmes County. The gathering will begin at 7:00 pm in the Sutter-Roush Room, 23 East Main Street (Rear), just behind the Municipal Utilities Office. The event is open to all area Democrats and people of goodwill.

Shelby Area Dems elect officers for 2020...

SHELBY – The Shelby Area Democratic Club recently met for the organization’s annual meeting, as required by the Ohio Revised Code and by the group’s constitution. Members unanimously re-elected president Garland Gates, vice president Ted Clabaugh, secretary Gail Eckstein, and treasurer Carol Kimmel. All officers will serve a one-year term. After their election, attorney JC Elgin installed them into their offices.

2020 membership drive...

You Are Invited…

…to join the Shelby Area Democratic Club. Dues are only $5 per year. Yes, you read correctly – only $5 per year! We members gather for our monthly meeting on the 3rd Thursday at 7:00 pm in the Sutter-Roush Room, 23 East Main St. (Rear) directly behind the Municipal Utilities Office. Many thanks in advance for your membership.

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Yes, I accept your invitation! My $5 dues are enclosed.

Name ____________________________________________

Street Address _____________________________________

City, State & Zip __________________________________

Phone Number _____________________________________

Email Address _____________________________________

Return this form and your check to:

Carol Kimmel, Treasurer

38 Woodland Road

Shelby, OH 44875

Shelby Area Dems get historic update...

SHELBY – Shelby Historic Preservation Commission chair Patricia Carlisle recently presented an update of the commission’s work to the Shelby Area Democratic Club.  The group met for its monthly meeting on June 20th.

            The commission was created by Shelby City Council in February 2015 by the passage of Ordinance No. 20-2014.  It enacted Codified Ordinance Chapter 1488: “Historic Landmarks and Buildings.”  The commission itself has five members who serve five-year, overlapping terms.

            “We see ourselves as being an advisory group,” explained Mrs. Carlisle.

            The commission’s first task was to get the City of Shelby recognized as a “Certified Local Government” (CLG), which is a partnership of the City, the State Historic Preservation Office, and the National Park Service.  This recognition was given on October 13, 2017.  Since then, the commission worked successfully to receive a CLG Grant.  Proceeds of the grant are currently being used to develop a Historic Preservation Plan.

            Mrs. Carlisle noted that 55 properties in Shelby are listed on the Ohio Historic Register.  Two properties and one district – Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, Marvin Memorial Library, and the Shelby Center Historic District – are on the National Register of Historic Places.  The National Register is the federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance.

            The next meeting of the Shelby Area Democratic Club is scheduled for Thursday, July 18th.  It will take place at 7:00 pm in the Sutter-Roush Room, 23 East Main Street.  All area Democrats and persons of good will are invited to attend.

Truman-Kennedy Society pics...

Appeals Court Judge Earle E. Wise, Jr. delivers the keynote address.

Truman-Kennedy Society president Garland Gates presents the Plain Speaking Award to Mansfield attorney Catherine Goldman and Shelby resident John Makley.

Plymouth resident and historian Doug Dickson (right) accepts the 2019 Profiles in Courage Award from the Truman-Kennedy Society.

Truman-Kennedy Society holds 12th annual meeting...

SHELBY – The Truman-Kennedy Society gathered in Shelby on Saturday, May 18th for its twelfth annual meeting.  The group was organized in 2008 to perpetuate the memories of Presidents Harry S. Truman and John F. Kennedy, both of whom were born in the month of May.  A large gather of persons from across north-central Ohio attended this year’s gathering.

            The Hon. Earle E. Wise, Jr., a judge on the Fifth District Court of Appeals, delivered this year’s keynote address.  He compared and contrasted the lives of Presidents Truman and Kennedy.  Truman was born into a hardscrabble, Missouri farm family while Kennedy lived a life of wealth and comfort.  Both were veterans: Truman in World War I and Kennedy in World War II.  Both dedicated themselves to lives of public service.  Neither man shrank from tackling the difficult issues that faced both the nation and the world.  While in the White House, both served with honor and integrity.

            The society presented its “Plain Speaking Award” to Shelby resident John Makley and Mansfield attorney Catherine Goldman.  They were honored for “their courage and integrity in speaking out against the Richland County Commissioners’ ill-conceived and poorly-executed ‘plan’ that resulted in the unwarranted removal of mature trees from the courthouse lawn.”

            The Plymouth Area Historical Society received the 2019 “Profiles in Courage Award.”  It was recognized for “its ongoing efforts to preserve the unique history and heritage of the greater Plymouth community and especially its successful campaign to have the Plymouth Historic District placed on the National Register of Historic Places.”  Plymouth resident and historian Doug Dickson accepted the award on behalf of the historical society.

The origin of the Shelby Area Democratic Club...

For nearly 50 years, the Shelby Area Democratic Club has played an active role in local politics. Here is an excerpt from the group's very first meeting minutes from July 11, 1968:

The first get together of the Shelby Democrats was held on July 11-1968. A picnic at Seltzer Park consisted of a covered dish furnished by each one attending.

Thirty people enjoyed a discussion on the possibility of forming a Democratic club in the Shelby area.

The first officers were elected in September of that year. They were president James Moorehead, first vice president L.D. Ball, second vice president Lonzie McKenzie, recording secretary Mary Stine, and treasurer Thomas Yetzer.

Thanks to those local Democratic pioneers who laid a firm foundation for our club! We owe them a debt of gratitude for a job well done.