Councilman Rick Taylor has announced that he is seeking a third term on the Noblesville Common Council in 2019. Taylor has represented the 3rd District since 2011 and he intends to file in January for the May primary election as a Republican for the same seat.
Taylor, a lifelong resident of Noblesville, represents a large part of downtown Noblesville.
Taylor
“Most of my adult life has been serving this community and I want to continue that service,” Taylor said, “and I am absolutely committed to preserving and enhancing Old Town Noblesville and especially the historic downtown. I was born and raised in this city and I have dedicated my adult life serving it as a Noblesville fireman for 33 years. I want to do all I can to improve the lives of all our citizens and make Noblesville the best it can be.”
Taylor pointed out the many improvements that have been accomplished since he has been on the Council. Projects include expanding the downtown footprint with Federal Hill Park and links to Downtown, the Riverwalk and other connecting trails; the Midland Trace Trail Project that will connect to the Riverwalk Downtown; Finch Creek Park along with the Finch Creek Fieldhouse for youth sports; bringing Ivy Tech Campus to the city; supporting a new Boys and Girls Club; and promoting safety in schools. Taylor also said the Council has focused on public safety, which includes supporting a specialized unit in the Police Department to combat drugs in Noblesville.
“In Old Town,” Taylor said, “we have worked on improving our sidewalks, streets, sewers and alley upgrades (the alleys have not been improved for over 20 years). This spring we will be updating Seminary Park with sidewalks, landscaping, green spaces, lighting, fencing and a new larger gazebo, as well as a new gateway leading into the park to mark the entry into the historic site and our Downtown District.”
Taylor has been a member of the Parking Taskforce Committee and the Downtown District Committee.
“We have moved forward with a much needed parking garage in the downtown,” said Taylor. “This parking garage will also have the retail and apartments that our merchants and the public have been asking us to address. The added parking will serve locals and visitors. This development, along with other improvements that the Downtown District Committee is working on, will not only showcase our historic past, it will promote a vibrant future for everyone to enjoy.”
Taylor served as President of the Common Council in 2015. He has also been active on several committees he says are important to his district as well as the Plan Commission, Architectural Review Board and Youth Sports.
Taylor noted he regretted that the train issue was decided without any Council input. He supports keeping the train tracks, and at the least, keeping the northern route and bringing the train back to the downtown.
Taylor supports the Pleasant Street extension, a new police station possibly at the old Firestone site and a new Public Safety Training Facility. He intends to continue to work with the city’s Economic Development team to attract new businesses to provide employment and lower taxes for Noblesville residents.
Taylor says his wide variety of experience has provided him with a thorough understanding of the inner workings of city government.
“I am uniquely qualified to continue to represent the citizens of my District and the entire city,” Taylor said. “My wife and I reside in Old Town. We have two daughters and two grandsons. I want to use the knowledge I have gained to provide my family with safest and most enjoyable, prosperous community possible.”
Taylor can be reached by email at rk_taylor_717@comcast.net or by telephone at (317) 773-6934 with questions and comments.