This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Jason Hennington. This is NOT the opinion of the Taylor Press.
The year is finally over, and the new one has begun.
So, let’s take a look at our last trip around the sun.
Land for Samsung was annexed to move into the next phase.
Council areas were redistricted. Balcones plant caught ablaze.
We expected a little snow, but it never made it here.
Shout out to Moppy Miller for Citizen and Women of the Year.
We had candidates, but only one contested election.
The Samsung annexed land took city plans in a different direction.
A shooter was arrested after a bullet barely missed a child.
If he’s convicted, then he could be in jail for a while.
Two tornadoes came through the county and destroyed 1,000 homes.
Several relief networks came so victims didn’t have to go through this alone.
More shots were fired, no bullets but there was smoke.
You shouldn’t call the people idiots, but still ask for their vote.
Jarvis Anderson went to Brazil for Deaflympics to compete.
Blackland Prairie Days finally returned and brought people to Main Street.
Taylor, Granger and Thrall all had bonds passed at the polls.
To address growth, security and all the students that buildings need to hold. A mural is being painted and almost finished in a hurry.
Of the fastest man alive, Taylor’s own Fred Kerley.
Samsung interns got started. To Austin some were sent.
For the first time ever, Taylor has two principals of African American descent.
Juneteenth became a holiday and PRIDE Day was held without a spat.
Though protesters argued with city officials, and I have pictures of that.
On the Fourth of July, colors lit up the skies.
With fireworks and feathers of egrets getting fried.
I don’t mean to sound rude or horrific, but just remember.
No actual burned bird bodies showed up until November.
Speaking of fire, I can’t forget this one event.
That shocked everyone on the second day of 3-on-3 tournament.
The future Dickey Museum was burned to ground.
But it was only a few days until the suspect was found.
He was caught with paper, torch, glass and people heard him admit burning the building down.
Went to the DA and was dismissed, but nobody really knows how.
The Ducks and Rams made it back to playoffs, and that itself was great.
The local Youth Ducks played at home and won state.
OL Price’s state team was recognized, which was long overdue.
Samsung donate $1 million to different local groups.
Speaking of Samsung, they have been everywhere since their plans to come here.
That $17 billion jumped to close to $200 billion, just in the last year.
The growth summit was held to prepare for what’s ahead.
Citizens fought with the city over how to honor their family members who are dead.
Council proposed a raise. Anger followed and it failed.
Bill Pickett had a memorial in the state cemetery unveiled.
Now I’ll get to the craziest subject because you’ve been waiting for this part.
Veteran’s Day program at the middle school was nice.
Ponder on this, I’m the only hip-hop act to rock Heritage Square twice.
PRIDE versus TAMA . . . oh, where do I start?
The rules for the parade were changed and unexpected.
TAMA said biblical and family values for entries would have to be respected.
People lashed out and the city made a way.
To avoid backlash, they created a parade to celebrate very merry holiday.
That plan didn’t work, distain continued for various reasons.
One group said the city was trying to deny Christians a chance to celebrate the season.
Press conferences, national media and the Washington Post came to our town.
For a controversial event to happen, but left let down.
Both parades happened with no incidents getting reported.
The perception from outside media made the whole situation distorted.
That winded the year down, but what ended hit us hard.
A young man was beat, shot and killed in his own front yard.
The suspect has been named. I hope police catch them at all costs.
Rest in peace to that young man and everyone that we lost.
Peace and blessings to everyone who reads this and everyone I hear, know or see.
I’m going to get off my soapbox for the first time in 2023!
