Dear Editor, We in Taylor are at a critical crossroad. It’s a good time to be here. New opportunities to enjoy life are cropping up all around us.
We can choose to move forward together, or to wallow in nostalgia for a mythical time long passed.
Our talented, dedicated city management staff and City Council have spent several years conducting public forums and gathering input from diverse business owners and residents to create a new, dynamic comprehensive plan and land development code. The outmoded and unworkable plan made it difficult for businesses and residents to develop, improve and use their properties.
The comprehensive plan and development code are designed to continue and enhance Taylor’s small-town character, promote sustainable development that pays for itself rather than saddling property owners with higher taxes and give new and existing businesses and residents more options to use their properties as they see fit. A broader range of affordable housing options will become available for old and new residents of all income levels. Existing and new business owners will have clear user-friendly options to develop and improve their properties.
In order to enjoy these new opportunities, we in Taylor need to work together for the benefit of our families and our neighbors.
We can ignore the divisive chatter all around us and build a community of cooperation based on mutual respect, understanding, goodwill and trust.
To that end, I encourage you to begin conversations with neighbors you don’t know very well and whose backgrounds and views may differ from your own. Listen respectfully to each other, share your hopes and concerns for your families and our community. Look for ways to work together to make Taylor a better place for us all.
— Jim Newman Taylor, TX
