District 1 councilman sets sights on growth, housing, roads
After winning the May 3 City Council election for the District 1 seat, Greg Redden says it’s time to roll up his sleeves and get to work.
His focus for the next three years will include housing and better roads, he said.
The rookie councilman took the oath of office administered by Williamson County Court-at-Law No. 5 Judge Will Ward at City Hall Tuesday.
Redden defeated Gail F. Samuels in the municipal race, and will fill the spot
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We need to bring the city together, and that is what I’m really looking forward to.”
— Greg Redden left by Gerald Anderson, who represented the district for six years.
“I’m really looking forward to getting with the next steps of this because I think this is going to be a really unique opportunity,” Redden said.
The council Tuesday also canvassed the election votes in addition to Redden’s swearing in.
A runoff is set for the District 4 seat June 7 between Marie Bloemer and Heather Long.
Redden believes Taylor is in a singular position because of its potential for growth. Many officials have said the city’s prospects for a bright future are tied to emerging businesses in the Taylor area, including Samsung Austin Semiconductor.
“Taylor is growing and to be a part of that and to see what is going to happen in the next 10-15 years is what we’ll have to set in place here now,” Redden said. “We need to bring the city together, and that is what I’m really looking forward to.”
Redden and his wife, Williamson County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Rhonda Redden, moved to Taylor in 2014.
Since then, Greg Redden has become heavily involved in the community.
“I’m part of the (Taylor) Rotary Club and a service officer for the American Legion.
I reach out to veterans to see what services they need,” Redden said. “I also volunteer with the (Taylor Rodeo Association) and at Shepherd’s Heart (Food Pantry & Thrift Shop). This is where I live, and this is where I serve.”
A native of Temple, Redden served in the Marines after graduating from high school. Following his military tenure, Redden worked for the city of Austin, where he ran fleets.
“I never ran for office before, but I knew that there was a need,” Redden said. “I have the skill set because I retired from the city of Austin and ran one of their big fleets.”
He added, “I worked with nine different departments. I understand what they need. It’s about being connected to the town. I understand how a city operates.”
Redden said he has a game plan for both District 1 and the city’s growth as a whole.
“One of the things we have to look at when talking to developers is we have a lot of empty lots in District 1. When I walked the streets, there are still houses and areas that are destroyed from the flood (a few years ago),” Redden said.
He added, “I want to be able to work with those builders and let them know about projects I’d like to see get done so we have some middle- or lower-income housing for people to be able to afford their first home. We also have road issues. These roads crack when it gets hot and dry outside. When we build roads and structures, we have to treat the soil first.”
According to Redden, proper building techniques means fewer issues for infrastructure in the next 10 or even 15 years.
