ON NOVEMBER 4, 2025 - VOTE TO RETAIN SHAWN MURPHY | SYLVANIA CITY COUNCIL

ON NOVEMBER 4, 2025 - VOTE TO RETAIN SHAWN MURPHY | SYLVANIA CITY COUNCIL
I am currently a member of Sylvania City Council. I was appointed to the position at the beginning of 2025 to fill the open seat vacated by Mark Frye when he took on the responsibilities of being our new Mayor.
I have lived in Sylvania for twenty years with my wife Cari (we recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary) and our three wonderful children Caitlynn (22), Haleigh (17), and Connor (12).
All of our kids attend or graduated from Sylvania Schools.
I am the proud owner of Advance Advertising Ltd. here in Sylvania, a third generation family owned company that helps clients promote their brand with custom branded apparel and promotional products. In 2024 we celebrated our 75th year in business.
In the past I have proudly coached soccer for several years for the rec., and have worked with many kids in the community, from hosting interns from the high schools at our business, to serving as a judge at McCord's Amazing Shake. I also enjoy attending and promoting community events as a community stake holder.
A strong community needs its citizens to step forward and take on certain responsibilities that align with their strengths, and City Council is an area where I feel I greatly serve my community.
I believe I bring a solid blend of perspective from not only the eyes of a community resident and parent but also as a local business owner, to ensure the city's resources are prudently managed.
I believe strongly in continuing to develop Sylvania to accentuate its unique attributes.
These ideas would include a more vibrant and robust downtown that is family-friendly, attractive to seniors, and welcoming to the Lourdes University students.
Communicate plans for the city’s long term development, including conceptual ideas and how they integrate with community interests, economic growth needs, traffic concerns and that incorporate green space.
Encourage more community events that draw people to Sylvania and enhance the richness of the community’s daily life.
Encourage more businesses big and small to move to the Sylvania area.
Work on continuing to foster strong relationships with the township on shared interests.
A Strong community is driven by the free market activities of its residents.
I have developed numerous relationships over the course of nearly two decades in Sylvania, whether through my business, through the chamber, board membership, or through personal involvement with family activities and sports. By merely acting as a liaison, introducing these people to each other and allowing their ideas to flourish, will continue to foster wonderful organic growth for our city.
Our city has top-notch police, fire, and rescue, second to none. I am proud of not only the difficult job they do day in and day out, but also the love and care they put into community involvement and outreach.
I will continue to stand with them and support them in the strongest most fiscally responsible way.
Our city is blossoming in its love and respect for the way the arts and other cultural events can add depth to our community.
I will continue to support the efforts of those that look to hold up not only our local artists, but musicians, farmers, and others that strengthen the local character of our city.
Our community is so blessed to have so many charities both in and around Sylvania. These groups help to do God’s work in reaching people directly at their level and time of need.
I will continue to call attention to these organizations and hold them in honor, as they continue to aid the needs of our city.
To put it simply, I LOVE SYLVANIA!
I have lived in Sylvania for twenty years, in both the city and the township, now residing in Centennial Farms. My wife and I have been married for 25 years, and have raised our three children here in Sylvania. Our oldest daughter is a Senior at the University of Toledo. Our younger daughter attends McCord, and our son attends Highland Elementary. Our family business, Advance Advertising Ltd. is in Sylvania Township.
I was raised in Perrysburg, a great town, and a town that has many similarities to Sylvania. But there was a reason that we moved to Sylvania and chose to raise or family and run our business here. It is the people! There is just something special about Sylvania as a community. It is sophisticated, yet down-to-earth. The people here see people and accept people for who they are. They are inviting, welcoming, nurturing, and supportive. Everyone knows everyone, whether it be through work, community involvement, church, schools, or sports. It is everything I ever dreamed of when thinking about where I wanted to live when I grew up, and I can't help but gloat over our wonderful community.
A little bit about myself personally:
I have authored five books: A Bold Faith, which is a Christian based faith development book. Groundswell, a novel about a small town and the dangers of an overbearing government. Maynard the Troll of Mayberry, a kids book about a mysterious troll that lives in the clock tower at Mayberry Square outside of Mayberry Ice Cream. And finally, Zion Cross | Conception, a Christian themed novel about a tragically flawed and unexpected superhero, and Crunchy Chip and the Great Salsa Adventure (another story inspired by Mayberry). I am in the works on writing CLEAR, Understanding, and Teaching Conservative Principles, and another novel, The Lost Breed, which will be finished this year.
I enjoy playing guitar, bass guitar and drums.
Aside from that, I love hanging with my family, cooking, riding our bikes over for ice cream, and working feverishly at growing my business. We spend many nights out and about Sylvania at kid's activities and eating out at Sylvania restaurants.