From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — Trussville City Councilmember Alan Taylor announced he plans to continue to serve the city for a third term, in Place 2.
Taylor is nearing the end of his second term. He said he would like to continue to a third term in order to see several ongoing projects to completion.
“I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished the last four years,” Taylor said. “Under the current administration that we have, I think we’ve made some progress.”
Taylor said some of the projects he is seeing come to fruition have been in talks for years and he is thankful the city was finally able to take steps to make things happen. Those projects include the Valley Road extension and the downtown Entertainment District redevelopment.
“We finally got it kicked off and going and we have made a lot of progress,” said Taylor. “I think there is still work to be done and things that need to be complete. We have plans for a Loop Road to help with traffic and those are the sort of things I want to see done in this next term.”
When looking back on his past two terms, the councilman said he is proud of the work city leaders have done and he is proud of the community.
“I just appreciate the people of Trussville and the opportunity I have had the last eight years,” said Taylor. “I am looking forward to serving another term and us continuing the progress we have made.”
As a faith-man, Taylor said prayer has been an important part of his responsibility as a public servant.
“I never want this to me about me,” he said. “I think that’s where my faith helps me. I don’t want being a city councilman to be about my wants and my needs, I want it to be about what’s the best for Trussville.
“Every decision I make, I want it to be made through a faith perspective, with integrity and I want it to be about what’s right. Not exactly what Alan Taylor wants, but what’s best for our community and what makes this a great place to live and a safe place to live.”
Taylor currently serves on the Public Safety Committee. He believes public safety should be a top priority for Trussville.
“I think people need to know it is a safe place,” he said. “We have intentionally made sure we fund our police appropriately. I would put our public safety (our police and fire and rescue) against anybody. It’s important that people know we have made an emphasis on making the city a safe place.”
Another emphasis Taylor said he would like to see continue, is on the importance of education.
“Our city has helped fund the building of our schools and has put money into our schools because we know that’s what is going to bring people here and we know that’s what’s going to keep Trussville great,” Taylor said. “If somebody is wanting to move here, I tell them we have great schools, we’ve got great community spirit and it’s a safe place.”
Taylor said he appreciates the atmosphere offered in Trussville. His family has lived in the city since 1994, so they have seen a lot of changes. While it’s a growing city, Taylor said the city has been able to maintain a close-knit feel because of the people who live in it.
“It doesn’t really have to do with the number of people but the type of people,” Taylor added. “People who live here love the community.”
Public service is nothing new for Taylor. Before he ran for city council eight years ago, he had already served as the President of the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce, he served on the Schools Foundation and on the Athletic Foundation. He said for him, being on the city council has nothing to do with politics.
“From me, you won’t hear a lot of campaign rhetoric,” Taylor said. “I just want to talk about what our responsibility is and what we need to do to make sure this city stays top in education, a safe place to live and our community looking like a charming community where people want to be.
Taylor said the current administration has been the most transparent administration he has seen in the city.
“You have a government that’s not overbearing, but it’s approachable,” he said. “Plus, our city officials are involved in the community.
Taylor said he is able to use his background in finance to keep an eye on the checks and balances of the city. He said the city has been fiscally responsible and has always been able to work within its budget.
“The handling of our funds is important to me and I can tell you that Buddy Choat has done a fabulous job looking over those things,” Taylor said. “He’s made it easy for us as council-people to come in and do what we need to do.”
During his time on the council, Taylor has also served as liaison to the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce, liaison to the Utilities Board and liaison to schools.