Anderson sets sights on new ventures
O utgoing Councilman Gerald Anderson says he accomplished what he promised to do for Taylor, but even though he is not running again, he vows to always advocate for the city and its people.
He decided to pursue other ventures and not seek a third term in the May 3 balloting.
Anderson said he won reelection to his District 1 seat during the last campaign cycle at a crucial time in Taylor’s history, which has seen the town transform from a primarily agricultural hub to a home for high tech.
“I took the opportunity to step up and run for City Council to get a seat at the table in order to see things happen that I thought should be happening in District 1 and in the city as a whole,” he said.
Anderson was elected to represent south Taylor in 2019 and served two three-year terms. From November 2020 to May 2024, he was also mayor pro tem.
He said it was never his plan to serve more than two cycles. In addition to a full-time job, he volunteers with multiple community organizations. He is president of the Taylor Boys and Girls Club and on the boards of the Conservation Heritage Society and the Williamson County Fair and Rodeo.
He is also executive director of the Bill Pickett Educational Foundation.
Pickett, a legendary Black cowboy, was Anderson’s great-uncle and Anderson still lives on the Taylor property owned by Pickett’s father, Anderson’s greatgrandfather. Anderson’s generational connection to Taylor stretches back to the 1880s, placing his relatives among Taylor’s earliest families.
Anderson recently sat down with the Press to talk about his time on the council dais and answer a few questions.
Q: What initial goals did you have when taking office?
A: “(My first goal was to) fix Robinson Street, which runs through the heart of south Taylor. It was a major street to our community and on top of that it has Williamson County Grain on the other side of the tracks, a company that brings in millions of dollars a year. The trucks were being torn up by all the potholes on the street. Those repairs benefit people who live and work in the area.
“(My second goal was to) make Robinson Park one of the nicest parks in Taylor. I think we’ve done that. We’ve added the soccer goals. We added lights to the softball field, turned the lights back on on the trail, added shade structures to the splash pad and just all in all keeping the park really nice. Now our softball field in Robinson Park is one of the most used features of our park system.
“My third goal was jobs. I think that speaks for itself. We’re bringing in the largest economic development in Texas history with (Samsung Austin Semiconductor). That was a major priority because one of the things I said during my first campaign was, I wanted my daughter, who is now 20, to go away to college, experience the world, but when she was ready to settle down to be able to move back here. I have two sisters with master’s degrees and there’s no opportunity for them here. Now with Samsung and University of Texas coming, we have opportunities for people with degrees to come back here.”
Q: Was there anything you left on the
table?
A: “Robinson Pool. I think we just ran out of time. With everything coming there will be opportunities to rebuild Robinson Pool. Maybe some more businesses in south Taylor, but that will be coming with time.
“One of the things I want to see happen was a rec center and we’ve already had that comprehensive study done.
“Sidewalks down Martin Luther King Boulevard was another dream that’s happening. We’ve already approved the money for that and it’s in the works.”
Q: What advice do you have for the next person who serves as the District 1 council member?
A: “What I tell people is never make the job personal. People will take personal shots at you but you should never put a personal vendetta on a decision you make because it’s not about getting at one person or pleasing a group of people. It should always be based on what is best for the city as a whole.”
Q: How did you handle conflict?
A: “There’s an expectation of professionalism that you do have to have on that dais, and I never breached that professionalism. I never treated anybody with any disrespect. There were people I wouldn’t look at when they spoke because I didn’t appreciate the way they would attack us. That’s nowhere in the (city) charter that I have to look at you when you speak. I’m listening to you. But I don’t have to look at you.
“There also comes a point where, as a person, as a father, a brother, a son and a constituent, you should show me some respect. So, when you cross the line, don’t be offended if I cross the line back. I’m going to defend myself and I’m not going to let somebody else make up stories or come up with the agenda for who I am.”
Q: Any advice for healing rifts in council?
A: “Being more respectful to each other. Being honest with each other. Don’t go behind each other’s backs sowing discord with the citizens to get a shock factor and get everybody riled up to push an
agenda.”
Q: Why did you support the controversial council members’ pay increase the public voted against?
A: “At the end of the day I can’t tell you what your work is worth because I don’t do that job. I was never for a committee telling me what my work is worth. Think about these decisions council members make that will impact the future councils. What we have to do to create the opportunities and keep the opportunities going is a lot of work. It’s a lot of time. It’s a lot of thought process.
“You put the city in front of your family to make sure the job gets done and you don’t get that back. For me, compensation is the least thing that could have been done for people that give so much.”
Q: What’s next?
A: “Just continue to be here and work on opportunities we can bring to the city. I’m always going to be an advocate for the city. I love this town. I wouldn’t have done this if I didn’t love this community and want to see it grow and prosper.”
