Meet Erin Stauffer and Tim Blythe
The Village of East Palestine Council is made up of six elected members, serving overlapping terms of four years. Whenever there are vacancies, new members are appointed to fill the open positions.
Erin Stauffer was sworn in as the newest member of the East Palestine Village Council, replacing Jessica Rocco, who resigned in April. She also fills the Recreation, Parks and Cemetery Committee chair position.
Stauffer is a 2002 graduate of Youngstown State University with a BA in Psychology. She has spent over 20 years in social services including the supervision and administration of child welfare, in-home support for youth with mental health diagnoses and is now employed at the Columbiana County Juvenile Court as a child advocate. After moving to the village in 2011, she has grown to love the area. Her husband was born and raised in East Palestine, her daughter is a 2021 graduate from East Palestine High School, and her 9-year-old son is in the 3rd grade at East Palestine Elementary.
“There are exciting things happening in East Palestine, and I’m eager to be part of the progression of our village, “ says Stauffer. “I want people to see that East Palestine is worth investing in. I highly value our small-town atmosphere and the wonderful community we have here. I am committed to setting the path to a positive future for the people of our village.”
The EPCIC is a 501(c)(3)-charitable non-profit corporation created by the Village of East Palestine to lead economic development efforts for the community. The focus of EPCIC activities is to share positive messaging through the epohio.org website and EP newsletter, promote economic recovery and downtown revitalization and develop locations for business growth.
Tim Blythe was appointed as council’s representative on the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation (EPCIC), replacing Rocco. A lifelong resident of East Palestine, Blythe graduated from EPHS in 1995. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Ohio Dominican University and is the owner of Blythe Appraisals LLC. After spending a decade in Columbus for school and work, he returned to his hometown to raise a family. He and his wife are raising three daughters in the East Palestine school system – a high school sophomore, a 4th grader and preschooler.
With over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry, Blythe is a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser and a Licensed Real Estate Agent. He also holds EPA Level One Certifications in both Water and Wastewater Operations, serving the village in infrastructure and utility planning. Blythe currently serves on Village Council and is committed to helping guide East Palestine’s revitalization efforts.
“Having worked across all of NE Ohio, I have seen firsthand the positive transformation that strategic investment and planning can bring to communities,” says Blythe. “Inspired by the success of some of our neighboring areas, I am excited to help guide the village through its own revitalization journey, bringing knowledge, experience, dedication and a passion for sustainable growth to the EPCIC. I am thankful for the opportunity and look forward to our journey.”