Taylor files for Ward 2 Willmar City Council seat

WILLMAR - Rich Taylor, quality assurance/infection control director at Willmar Surgery Center and a Kandiyohi Fire Department captain, has filed for a Ward 2 seat on the Willmar City Council in the Aug. 12 primary election.
Also filing this week for one of the Ward 2 seats was former council member Steve Gardner.
The seat is currently held by Ron Christianson, who has not filed. His four-term expires January 2015. The other Ward 2 councilman is Tim Johnson. His term expires in 2017.
If only two candidates file for the Ward 2 seat, both will move forward to the general election in November.
Filing for the four-year offices of mayor and four council positions opened Tuesday and closes June 3. Candidates may withdraw until June 5.
Taylor said being the son of Bill Taylor, former mayor of Spicer, was a reason he wanted to get into politics. Rich Taylor graduated from New-London Spicer High School and Ridgewater College and worked for various companies in sales and for a company as an emergency medical service provider for three years.
He entered the medical field and received his associate nursing degree from Ridgewater College in November 2009 and worked as a nurse in the St. Cloud area. He received a bachelor of science nursing degree in 2011 and obtained a master of science degree in 2013, both from Chamberlain College of Nursing. Taylor and his wife, Alissa, have one daughter.
Taylor said Willmar has been built on a solid foundation and has great potential for growing in a positive manner. He said the city has been growing exponentially since its founding in 1901 and continues to grow, which is the goal of any city that wants to succeed.
“I want to be the voice for the people that feel that their voice goes unheard in the political aspect,’’ Taylor said. “I want people to bring their ideas and concerns to me no matter what the topic at hand is. I will always have an open door policy.’’
Another reason for serving is that Taylor said he has seen the positive impacts that city council members and mayors can have with the decisions they make about the city and its citizens.
“I want to be that council member that makes the positive impact to the city and its citizens. As a council member, pleasing everyone all the time is not possible, nor even realistic. What is possible and expected is for a council member to perform their duty and to do what is in the best interest for the city and its citizens,’’ Taylor said.
“If elected into office, rest assured that I will perform this task to the best of my ability,’’ he said. “I am a person with much integrity, loyalty and have an open mind. I want to personally bring these qualities to the city if elected. The city of Willmar is a wonderful city with great people within the community. It would be honor to serve the citizens of Willmar as a member of the city council.’’