A brand-new cohort of community members has begun a deep dive into all things Taylor.
On Jan. 19, The 2023 Leading Exploring Advancing Developing class began learning more about the city’s government operations, community planning and awareness and civic culture.
“We had a great first class with 19 students in attendance,” said Kendra Maness, the program’s organizer. “During the first class, students were welcomed by Mayor Brandt Rydell and learned about city management, the city clerk’s office, communications and development Services. We’re looking forward to having our second class at Taylor Independent School District in February.”
On the third Thursday of every month this spring, participants will continue to hear presentations from Taylor Economic Development Corporation, the Greater Taylor Area Chamber of Commerce, the Taylor Press, the Main Street Program, Library, emergency services, and much more.
“I wish I would have had something like this when I was running for city council,” said Mayor Brandt Rydell.
“There have been programs that were like this over time in Taylor that go dormant for a while and resurface,” Rydell added. “But as I review the curriculum the folks in LEAD Taylor are about to undertake, I am almost a little envious that they are getting this little crash course in all things The City of Taylor. It has taken me a dozen years on the council (to learn this).”
Rydell said he was also encouraged to see a lot of new faces in this new class at a time of great change in the city.
“We have had a lot of interest in this, and to me that bodes well for Taylor to have this level of community engagement, and this many people who are interested in learning more about this community and getting involved, hopefully, because we are in a critical juncture in Taylor’s history right now,” Rydell said. “Having an informed citizenry and an involved citizenry is going to be key. There are lots changes afoot and lots of dynamics at play, and the more that people are involved, the better for people in this community.”
For more information, go to www.taylortx. gov/838/LEADTaylor.
