By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator
When Seneca County Commissioner Tyler Shuff tapped the gavel to close the Dec. 26 commissioners’ meeting, he and the other commissioners reflected on his four years of dedicated service to the county.
He may have been a county commissioner for four years, but his service to the community stretches back to his childhood. As a Columbian High School student, he was a member of Key Club, tutored elementary students, was a mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program, and coached Little League football.
In 2008, at the age of 23, he was elected to Tiffin City Council, a position he would hold for 12 years. In all, Commissioner Shuff committed 24 years of his life to public service and served 16 years as an elected official. After a dozen years as a Tiffin City Council member, he was ready to bring his skills and momentum to the county level. It was a move encouraged by many local residents.
“I was asked to run for county commissioner by several local residents,” he said. “I felt I accomplished what I wanted to do for the city. I felt I left it better than when I got there, and I was ready for a new challenge.”
Commissioner Shuff took office as a county commissioner in January, 2021, becoming what is believed to be the youngest person elected to the position in Seneca County. His goals heading into county service included improved public safety, stronger infrastructure, conservative fiscal responsibility and the growth of economic development.
“I wanted to be a voice for all,” he said.
Commissioner Shuff can look back on the last four years with pride, knowing that each of those goals have been addressed by the commissioners’ office. Some of his accomplishments include helping guide the county through the COVID epidemic, a once-in-a-lifetime eclipse, and a yearlong Seneca County Bicentennial celebration.
He takes pride in the commissioners’ work toward addressing residents’ concerns about wind energy and helping to establish countywide broadband service. He and Commissioners Anthony Paradiso and Bill Frankart created a new county building department, impacted county infrastructure, and addressed housing issues. They enhanced public safety by supporting improvements at the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office and tackled housing blight through the county landbank. Thanks to the efforts of the commissioners’ office, a new AG building will open in the county. Commissioner Shuff served on the Seneca County Opiate Task Force, which addresses addiction and mental health in the county.
Commissioner Shuff said he is most proud of the commissioners’ work addressing concerns about the WIN Waste of Seneca County landfill and of the commissioners’ success in establishing Seneca County EMS, which will save lives through collaborative countywide EMS service.
“I’m proud that we’ve been aggressive at representing the concerns of the citizens about the landfill,” Commissioner Shuff said. “And I’m proud about bringing EMS together, about uniting the county and creating a new system.”
Commissioner Shuff is grateful that local residents embraced his desire to serve them for so many years.
“I’m honored to have had the opportunity to serve the residents of Seneca County. Being elected by the voters has been one of the biggest honors of my life thus far,” he said. “Together, we have accomplished a lot of wins for our citizens in the county. Truthfully, it’s been very challenging but worth the hard work.”
Commissioner Shuff feels he is leaving the county in a better position than he found it, and he is confident that Commissioner Paradiso, Commissioner Frankart and Commissioner-Elect Brent Busdeker will continue to guide the county well.
“Everyone sitting up here with me cares deeply about this community,” Commissioner Shuff said during the commissioners’ meeting. “It’s difficult to take a pause from doing the thing you love, but I have full confidence that Seneca County will continue to move forward.”
Commissioner Shuff plans to recharge and ready himself for future public service.
“This is not a goodbye,” he said. “Public service is in my blood. I’ll still be involved in the community.”