SHELBY — Shelby native Daniel Reese took the oath to represent the Ward Three City Council seat on Monday night.

Reese stated he is ready to improve streets, listen to residents and serve the community he has called home his entire life.

Reese, sworn in during the regular meeting, is stepping into public office for the first time.

“I was pleasantly surprised and I’m going to do the best I can,” he said.

From local business to city hall

Though new to council, Reese has a long history in Shelby — including being a Ward Three resident since 1978 when he bought his first home.

He graduated from Shelby High School in 1974 and attended North Central State College in 1980 for additional training for his maintenance position at Shelby Business Forms/Miami Systems.

His previous careers include decades of experience in maintenance, sales and ownership of Reese’s Bar and Grill.

“I didn’t go job-seeking very often; some people like that – I’m pretty much, let’s keep it this way,” he said. “I worked for 22 years at my previous career and I had a job prior to that I worked 26 years.”

Reese has also contributed to the community outside of work.

He’s a past member of the Shelby Kiwanis Club, participated in Friends of the Blackfork until it disbanded, and has served as a federally licensed pyrotechnician for more than 30 years, producing fireworks displays in Shelby and surrounding communities.

Hit the ground running

Reese replaces Eric Cutlip as the Ward Three Councilman, who now serves as Shelby’s parks superintendent.

One of Reese’s first goals: addressing streets and sidewalks.

“As it just so happens, they are going to have me on the streets committee,” he said. “One of my pet peeves, which I told them in my interview, is the condition of the sidewalks and streets.”

Reese stressed he wants to be accessible to residents.

“If somebody is looking for an answer or solution, you’re looking for somebody to help, I’m going to be that person,” he said.

“I would like to hopefully be helpful in making decisions as far as solutions to any problems that may come up,” Reese said.

He previously ran for mayor in 2009 and has closely followed council meetings over the years. 

Councilman At-large Steve McLaughlin praised all applicants for stepping forward during Monday night’s meeting.

“The decision was a very tough decision to make,” McLaughlin said. “We decided as a city council that we would have picked any one of them, but you can only choose one of the four.”

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