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  • Claremore native Don Taylor was recently honored by the Texas City Management Association with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his more than 40-year career in city government. Tom Fink

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July 2, 2010

Claremore native earns lifetime achievement in city government

Tom Fink Staff Reporter

GALVESTON, Texas — Claremore native Don Taylor was honored last week when he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas City Management Association at the annual TCMA convention.

Taylor, currently the city manager of Schertz, Texas, has worked in city government for more than 40 years, serving as city manager for cities such as Universal City, Aransas Pass, Dickinson, Tomball, and Wharton — all in Texas, as well as serving as city manager of Stroud and Mangum, Okla. and city administrator in Miami, Okla.

“This is extremely humbling — I appreciate it so much,” Taylor said of the award. “The (TCMA) president told me that this year was the first time he could recall a recipient’s entire city council turning out to see it presented. This coming from my colleagues is a great honor.”

Taylor’s wife, Shirly Taylor, also formerly of Claremore, and his children — Don Taylor II of Houston, Texas, Debi Workman of Vinita, Elissa Fink of Claremore and Kristi Hardy of Siblee, Texas — were on-hand to help honor Taylor during the bestowment of his award, along with several of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Claremore Chief of Police Mickey Perry worked with Taylor in the early 1970’s when both were with the Claremore Police Department, Taylor as the Claremore Police Department’s first detective.

“Don has earned any accolades that come his way,” said longtime Taylor friend and Claremore Chief of Police Mickey Perry. “It’s nice to see him recognized for all his years of hard work. I have known him for over 40 years and consider him a dear friend and would say his best attribute is his compassion. He truly cares about people.”

In his nomination letter (for the award) to the TCMA, Taylor received nothing but praise for his style of city management.

“Don (Taylor) is a down-home, up-front kind of guy, and that’s one of his greatest strengths,” wrote former Universal City Mayor Wes Becken.

“No matter how angry or upset a resident, business man, or someone else is, Don has the ability to turn that around,” said Schertz Mayor Hal Baldwin. “He takes that person, gives them a cup of coffee, sits them down and talks to them and has them leave his office, shaking hands.”

As city manager of Schertz, Taylor oversees the daily operations of 290 city employees who serve 38,000 residents living within 29 square miles. He is responsible for the stewardship of more than $10 million in city properties and manages a $52 million annual operating budget.

Of Taylor’s relatives still living in Claremore and Rogers County are his sisters, Rita Taylor and Patricia Wallace, daughter, Elissa Fink, and several nephews and nieces.

 

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