Street renaming after Taylor’s family request – Salisbury Post

KANNAPOLIS – The planned renaming of a city street in honor of one of the community’s late well-known and beloved educational leaders was tabled at Monday night’s City Council meeting.

More than two months ago, Mayor Pro Tem Doug Wilson had introduced a motion to rename C Street after Milton Taylor, a black teacher and school administrator whose legacy is well known in Kannapolis, and council members appeared to agree.

“I think it is entirely appropriate to name the street that runs past the school after a man who made such contributions to our education system,” Wilson said at the time. He chose C Street because it is home to George Washington Carver Elementary School, and Taylor spent his career at the former George Washington Carver School before it became Kannapolis Middle School.

According to Taylor’s 2017 obituary, he graduated from WA Pattillo High School, where he was a member of the NCHSAC State Championship football team. Taylor earned his bachelor’s degree from Fayetteville State University, where he received dual scholarships in football and baseball. He received his master’s degree in education from NC A&T State University in Greensboro, and an Advanced Certificate in Education Administration from the Principal’s Executive Program at UNC-Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill.

In 1958, he joined the Kannapolis City School system, where he served as a public educator for more than 30 years. He started as a seventh-grade teacher and coach at George Washington Carver School, “where he was instrumental in leading the school to three district championships.” Taylor was promoted in 1965 to principal of the school, which is now Kannapolis Middle School, where he spent the rest of his career.

A notice sent to all affected property owners, including notice of a public hearing, was presented at the meeting on Monday.

A resolution was drafted stating the following: “Milton Taylor has served as a prominent public figure in the Kannapolis community for over thirty years, having served in many civic and professional capacities. (He) was best known as a teacher and administrator of the Kannapolis city school system, having retired as principal of the George Washington Carver School (now Kannapolis Middle School), and was admired and loved by students and teachers alike. During his early years, he excelled in sports and education, receiving scholarships for both football and baseball and earning a master’s degree in education from North Carolina A&T University. (He) served in many community and educational institutions including Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the Optimist Club, North Carolina Association of Educators and as president of the Kannapolis Rotary Club. Mr. Taylor was a friend and inspiration to all with intellectual ability, a quick wit, easy smile and energetic attitude.

“In grateful memory of Mr. Taylor’s many contributions to the welfare and betterment of our citizens, the City Council of the City of Kannapolis hereby honors and commemorates the good works of Milton Taylor by renaming East C Street to Milton Taylor Street as a lasting tribute to and for his service to the greater Kannapolis community.”

But before the council could hold the hearing, Councilor Jean Dixon asked if the issue could be raised. She said Taylor’s family members wanted to talk to the council before a decision was made.

Michelle Taylor, Milton Taylor’s daughter, did not speak at the meeting and when reached by phone said she had to speak to the rest of her family before commenting, but did say the reason for the request was nothing negative .

The council doesn’t meet again until November 25, so the matter will be dealt with at least until that day. It is unclear whether the public hearing will be added to that agenda.