Community honors and criticism collide in council remarks about former Mayor Tom Taylor
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Summary
Council members and residents paid tribute to former Mayor Tom Taylor and also heard public comment that challenged aspects of his legacy, including historical allegations of racially biased policing during his administration.
Council members opened the meeting with a moment of silence for former Westland Mayor Tom Taylor and several speakers praised his long record of municipal service, noting projects such as the Thomas Taylor Towers senior housing development named in his honor.
During public comment, however, Mr. Warren told the council that parts of Taylors legacy include episodes of racially biased policing, saying that "driving while black" and mistreatment of African American residents occurred under Taylors administration and urging continued work to improve police-community relationships. The council acknowledged both praise and criticism: Deputy Mayor Godlove and others repeated condolences and noted Taylors contributions while public comment recorded the communitys differing experiences.
Council President McDermott and other members asked that the council and police administration continue to work on community relations; Mr. Warrens remarks were recorded as part of the public-comment record and were not adjudicated during the meeting.
Next steps: the council did not take formal action related to the historical allegations during the meeting; the remarks entered the public record and may inform future community and police engagement discussions.