Redistricting done for council – Jan. 8, 2022
With growth coming to Taylor, the Taylor City Council tweaked districts to redistribute population.
On Jan. 6, city council district boundaries were changed through the approval of an ordinance that adopts a redistricting map. The unanimous action was taken during a special called meeting.
According to the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School, the one person, one vote rule refers to the rule that one person’s voting power ought to be roughly equivalent to another person’s within the same state.
Taylor’s redistrict process was prompted due to the 2020 U.S. Census, which counts populations every 10 years. The Census determines governmental districts, as well as changing demographics and how public funds are allocated in communities. The council hired the Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta law firm to perform the process.
According to the 2020 Census, Districts 3 and 4 had larger populations compared to Districts 1 and 2. Population from Districts 3 and 4 were moved into District 2. No changed were made to District 1.
Taylor had an overall deviation of 39.3%. District 2 was approximately 20% under the ideal population of 4,064 citizens, while District 3 was approximately 20% over the ideal size.
Council districts are now back in balance with a total maximum deviation of 7.16%, which is within the 10% under the Constitutional standard.
Balcones Resource fire involved recyclables – Jan. 15
Approximately a full day was needed to put out the fire on Chandler Road northwest of Taylor earlier this year.
The fire at the Balcones Resources recycling center Friday, Jan. 14, was primarily extinguished by around 10 p.m., but Taylor Fire Department Chief Daniel Baum said firefighting efforts continued until noon Saturday, Jan. 15.
“Fire was deep seated in large piles of refuse materials,” said Baum. “The cause of the fire has not been determined and remains under investigation.”
Two firefighters were injured and transported to a hospital overnight.
“A Taylor firefighter was released Friday evening,” said Baum, “while a Jarrell firefighter was kept overnight for observation.”
Although the fire’s cause is unknown, the fire involved bales of recycled materials ready for shipping and piles of unprocessed material. The Taylor Fire Department was dispatched to the 9800 block of Chandler Road at 11:59 a.m. Friday.
“Most of the material was cardboard, paper products and plastics,” said Baum. “The presence of an automatic sprinkler system limited the spread of fire inside the building and helped firefighters save the structure.”
More than 60 firefighters battled to extinguish the blaze. Assisting Taylor were fire departments from Hutto, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Leander, Sam Bass, Weir and Jarrell.
Overachiever: Moppy Miller makes history
Martha Miller made history as the first person to be named the Outstanding Woman of the Year and the Citizen of the Year in the same year.
Miller, known to everyone as “Moppy,” was nominated for both awards because of her exceptional work in the community.
“She is a cheerleader for Taylor and all things Taylor,” said Ryan Stiba, Rotary Club president elect. “A person of inspiration. A person those around her cannot say ‘no’ to when she’s on the move and making a difference.”
Miller was born and raised in Taylor, graduated from Taylor High School and attended Texas A&M to study education. She later received her master’s degree in counseling from Texas State University. This was the first step in her now 35-year journey in education, including time as a teacher in the classroom and a counselor at Taylor ISD and other school districts in Texas.
Miller volunteers in local election campaigns, Blackland Prairie Days and the St. Mary’s School/ Church picnic. She is a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, has co-chaired the St. Mary’s Catholic Church fundraising, as well as been executive director of the Taylor Educational Enrichment (TEE) Foundation. She directs the actions of the TEE Foundation in raising money for teachers in the Taylor ISD through fundraising and other solicitations.
Miller has helped raise and invested back into Taylor ISD more than $340,000 in six years.
Miller also made history as the first female on the Taylor City Council.
Manslaughter plea earns two-year sentence – Jan. 29
On Wednesday, Jan. 26, Marquis Wilson, 27, pled guilty for manslaughter. In 2020, Wilson was involved with the shooting of Jade Erwin, 17, of Elgin.
According to police reports, on March 21, 2020, Wilson and another woman drove Erwin to the emergency room at Scott and White hospital in Taylor. Wilson ran in and said someone in the car was shot. Wilson and the female passenger fled the scene on foot. Wilson and the other passenger were found about a half-mile away hiding in a dumpster behind Bealls Department Store.
An investigation revealed that the shooting happened in a moving vehicle in Bastrop County. The car belonged to the family of the victim. Erwin was dead when they arrived at the hospital.
An investigation revealed that the shooting allegedly happened in a moving vehicle in Bastrop County. The car belonged to the family of the victim. Erwin was dead when they arrived at the hospital.
It was unknown if the shooting was accidental or intentional.
According to Williamson County court records, Wilson will get 96 days of credit on his sentence.
Color Guard wins state – March 2
Taylor High School students have a new state championship and are moving ahead to national competition.
On Feb. 26, the THS Color Guard won first place overall as a senior class dance team after being ranked with a superior rating at state competition. Taylor also won the Judge’s Choice Award at the event, held at Klein Oaks High School in the city of Spring.
The wins were by the color guard’s varsity winter guard at the Marching Auxiliaries of America (MA) Texas State Championship. Winter guards are color guard groups that perform during the cold season and primarily indoors. MA conducts nationally acclaimed competitions and clinics for winter guards, dance teams, flag corps, rifle lines and majorettes.
Lone Star Circle of Care opens new site in Taylor – March 2
On Friday, Feb. 25, Lone Star Circle of Care (LSCC) hosted a ribbon cutting to open their new location at West End School, 1301 W. Fourth Street in Taylor.
“Few projects have been as meaningful to the council as this,” said Brandt Rydell, Taylor mayor.
He said the project provided historical preservation, neighborhood rejuvenation and revitalization and community health. The building was a landmark in Taylor, including the still often used outdoor basketball court. LSCC transformed the building into a clinic with nine exam rooms and two behavioral health offices. More than 5,000 patients every year are expected to use the facility.
The building will also house a senior center and the Meals on Wheels program, operated by Opportunities for Williamson and Burnet Counties. Other Opportunities programs, including Head Start and Early Head Start, will remain in the building next to the new clinic.
The West End School, home to thousands of Taylor elementary school students from the 1920s until the 1980s, faced an uncertain future. Recognizing the need for access to an integrated community-based health service model, the city of Taylor donated the former West End School to LSCC. With stakeholder and collaborator support, LSCC renovated the West End School allowing the campus to house several programs that address and support improved health outcomes.
Shooter arrested, family fights emotion – March 16
Earlier this year, police arrested Aiden Palomo, 18, of Taylor, after he discharged a firearm near two children who were outside playing, narrowly missing one of the children.
According to police reports, on Sunday, March 13, at 10:20 p.m., officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 400 block of Victoria Street.
Officers talked to the homeowner, Roy Hernandez, who said his two grandchildren, 11 and 12 years old, were playing in the front yard. A black Dodge Challenger containing Palomo drove by, and Palomo fired a shot that went into the back window of a truck in the driveway of the home.
One of the children was lying in the bed of the truck where the shot was fired.
Police believe the vehicle belongs to someone who lives in the same area where the shot was fired. Surveillance video footage, which was shared with police, showed the incident as it happened. Branson said the video helped officers and detectives find the vehicle, which was later located at Palomo’s house.
Officers made contact with Palomo’s family, who later brought him to the Taylor Police Station where he confessed to the shooting.
There was no indication of drugs or alcohol. Police did not have a motive for the shooting.
On Monday, March 14, the charges were upgraded to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon – enhanced, which is a seconddegree felony.
If convicted, Palomo could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Palomo posted bond for $100,000 and was released the same day.
Hutto ISD accepts tech company application – April 6
On March 31, the Hutto ISD board of trustees vote to accept an application from Applied Materials for a Texas Tax Code Chapter 313 Agreement pursuant to the Texas Economic Development Act.
Applied Materials is based in Santa Clara, California, but also has a manufacturing center in Austin. The corporation produces materials and offers services to companies in the semiconductor chip industry. Semiconductor chips go into electric circuits found in many modern electronics.
“Beyond the investment, we look forward to the fruitful partnerships that can arise from their presence,” said Thomas. “The availability of quality jobs, careers, and educational partnerships provide promising futures for every sector of the Hutto labor force.
The proposed tax limitation agreement is a planned semiconductor project within Hutto ISD’s boundaries. The project has a proposed total investment of $2.4 billion.
If the comptroller certifies the application and the board approves an agreement, the taxable value of the project would be limited to $80 million for the school district’s maintenance and operations (M&O) portion of its tax rate for 10 years. The business would pay the full amount of property taxes for the interest and sinking (I&S and debt service) portion of the school district’s tax rate.
Taylor ISD announces new principals – June 3
On Friday, June 3, Taylor ISD announced the selection of the principals for Main Street Intermediate School, Naomi Pasemann Elementary School and Taylor High School.
Matthew Wamble succeeds Andrew Maddox as Taylor High School’s principal. Wamble has been a high school athletic director, high school assistant principal and last served as principal of Burton High School.
Taylor ISD officials say he demonstrated an ability to focus on academic growth while providing a positive and well-managed school culture. Wamble also reportedly shares that schools should be a place where students create lasting memories of positive relationships and enjoyable experiences.
Kerri Pierce was selected as the next principal of Main Street Intermediate. Her experience and ability to provide academic and structured leadership reportedly made her stand out from other candidates.
Pierce comes from east Texas after serving as principal of another intermediate school, associate principal of a high school, and a director of curriculum.
Felicia Gibson will be Naomi Pasemann’s next principal. Gibson leaves her former position as a Kenedy ISD principal and reportedly demonstrated an emphasis on building a positive school culture for students and staff while improving academics.
Bridging the gap of hope – June 29
On Monday, June 27, Dr. Dickey’s name legacy was preserved with the re-dedication of the Dickey Footbridge located near East Second Street between Robinson and Dolan streets and also crosses Bull Branch Creek near Taylor’s hike and bike trail.
The bridge was built in 1940 after motivation from Dr. Dickey to provide a safer route for school children over Bull Branch Creek to the Blackshear/O.L. Price schools during segregation.
“This bridge is symbolic in many ways, connection our community,” said Mayor Brandt Rydell. “Community is so important, and I’m just so happy that we continue to have this symbol and this feature that those for years and years to come can have an understanding of where Taylor’s been and the bright future into which we are going.”
In 2018, the Taylor Conservation and Heritage Society worked to have a marker placed at the bridge. Four years later, the bridge was restored.
Panther pride: OL Price recognized during homecoming – Sept. 29
The doors of the school closed in 1969 as part of the final phase of integration, but the legacy of the school remains.
In September, for the first time in the city and school district’s history, they paid homage to O.L. Price High School and its 1962 state championship team.
“This is the first time we have tried to meet each other halfway,” said Leslie Hill, who attended O.L. Price High School. “And I think it’s wonderful.”
At the Sept. 22 City Council meeting, Mayor Brandt Rydell read a proclamation recognizing O.L. Price High School. In addition to the school district and the city, the Taylor Youth Ducks football program has been honoring O.L. Price’s historic accomplishment all season with a special patch on their uniforms. On Saturday morning, the Youth Ducks recognized O.L. Price High School prior to their varsity game.
Summit puts all eyes on Taylor – Sept. 10
As the region begins to feel the impact of explosive, unprecedented growth, state and area leaders are embracing the change. A growth summit was held Sept. 7 at the Williamson County Expo Center.
“The world’s attention is on Taylor, Texas,” said Adriana Cruz, executive director of economic development and tourism in the office of Governor Greg Abbott. “The impact that this is having is not just for you and for all your citizens and for your children and grandchildren, but really for communities all across the state of Texas.”
This growth is made possible through the arrival of Samsung Austin Semiconductor and other high-tech manufacturers.
At the summit, a who’s who of leaders at the city, county and state level joined with Samsung and other business representatives for a day of panel discussions and other presentations on topics such as managing water and electricity resources, economic development, infrastructure, workforce development and how to build strong partnerships.
About 175 people attended the sold-out event.
Speakers, panelists, sponsors and attendees of the event included organizer and chamber President Tia Rae Stone, Commissioner Will McAdams of the Public Utility Commission, Commissioner Bryan Daniel of Texas Workforce Commission, Mayor Brandt Rydell and other members of Taylor’s City Council
