Noblesville Common Councilor Rick Taylor announced Jan. 2 his intention to seek a third consecutive term on the council in the May 2019 primary election.
Taylor, a Republican, has represented District 3 since 2011 and said he intends to file in January when official candidate filing begins with the county.
Taylor is a lifelong resident of Noblesville and represents a large portion of downtown Noblesville, including Old Town.
“Most of my adult life has been serving this community, and I want to continue that service”, Taylor said in a statement. “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 cited improvements that have been accomplished since he has been a councilor, including: expanding the downtown footprint with Federal Hill Commons and links to downtown, the Riverwalk and other connecting trails; the Midland Trace Trail project that will connect to the Riverwalk; Finch Creek Park and Finch Creek Fieldhouse; bringing Ivy Tech of Hamilton County to the city; supporting a new Boys and Girls Club; and promoting school safety and overall public safety.
Taylor also said in Old Town, he and the council have worked to improve sidewalks, streets, sewers and alleys that had not been improved for more than 20 years
“This spring we will be updating Seminary Park with sidewalks, landscaping, green spaces, lighting, fencing and a new, larger gazebo,” Taylor stated. “Also 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 city’s Parking Task Force Committee and the council’s Downtown District Committee. He served as council president in 2015, has been active on several committees, as well as the Noblesville Plan Commission, Architectural Review Board and Youth Sports.
Taylor said project important to him include Nickel Plate Rail Line, saying he regretted that the train issue was decided without any council input. He said he supports keeping the train tracks, and at the least, keeping the northern route and bringing the train back to the downtown. Other projects include his support of the proposed extension of Pleasant Street, a new police station at the old Firestone site downtown, and a new public safety training facility.
“I am uniquely qualified to continue to represent the citizens of my district and the entire city,” Taylor stated. “I want to use the knowledge I have gained to provide my family with safest and most enjoyable, prosperous community possible.”
Taylor and his wife, Sandy, have two daughters, Amanda and Brooke. Taylor retired from the Noblesville Fire Dept. in 2010 after 33 years of service. He can be reached at [email protected] or 317-773-6934 with questions and comments.
The primary election will take place May 7, followed by the general election Nov. 5.
All seats on the Noblesville Common Council are up for grabs next year for terms that will begin January 2020 and end in December 2023. Official candidate filing doesn’t begin until January, and no other candidate has announced their intention to run in District 3.
Pete Schwartz recently announced he will seek the District 2 seat, which is being made vacant by Councilor Chris Jensen, who is running for mayor. In District 4, Councilor Wil Hampton announced he will seek a second term. Recently elected by a special caucus, Councilor Darren Peterson is seeking re-election next year to hold on to his at-large seat.
Councilors Brian Ayer (at-large), Mark Boice (at-large), Roy Johnson (District 1) and Megan Wiles (District 6) have not yet announced re-election bids.
