At the Dec. 12 meeting of the Taylor Town Council, late Vice Mayor Carl Cosper was honored by his fellow council members as they remembered him and his proud years of service on the council.
“Carl Cosper could not have been a better man for the job and he did a great job. I know it wasn’t easy for him all the time to do it, but he stuck to it and followed it through,” said Councilman Fay Hatch before the council presented a memorial blanket bearing the image of Cosper to his wife, Sherry.
“He really loved all you guys and I can tell you that he appreciated you so much and when he started with this council, he wondered how things were going to go,” said Sherry to the council. “But he would come home and tell me how much everyone was good to him and you were awesome to him and you served him wholeheartedly because you knew his disabilities and you took care of him. I knew when I left him here, he was in good hands.
“It was a privilege for me to take care of him and I feel like he’s resting where he will always be part of the Town of Taylor and he’s very proud of that. I just wanted to let you know how much Carl loved you guys and that each and every one of you really served him.” Sherry presented the councilmembers with flag pins as thanks for serving the Town of Taylor with her husband.
Following the remembrance of Carl Cosper, Councilman Jason Brubaker was nominated to fill his shoes as vice mayor, with the council voting in favor. Letters of interest to fill Brubaker’s spot as a councilmember will be accepted by the Town of Taylor until Jan. 2.
Police Chief Bobby Martin led the discussion for the final reading of the ordinance: Use of Portable Communication Device while Driving. According to Martin, the ordinance would allow officers to write a citation for any drivers caught using or touching a wireless device while their vehicle is in motion with the exception of emergency service vehicles, truck drivers, GPS-enabled devices and vehicles that are compatible with Bluetooth. Drivers would only be able to use their phones at a stoplight or if they are parked. Chief Martin is proposing a direct adaptation of the state statute that will be going into effect January of 2021.
Councilmembers expressed hesitation for passing the town code ordinance, worried about the ordinance being viewed as too much control but the ordinance was approved 3-2 with Mayor David Smith, Vice Mayor Jason Brubaker and Councilman Fay Hatch in favor, councilmen Shawn Palmer and Bill Baldwin dissenting, and councilman Kyle Peck was absent. The town code ordinance will go into effect for Taylor in 30 days from the approval.
