La Grange City Council: Ken Taylor Will Not Run Again, Cernosek Reconsiders Retiring; Sandy Hooper Running

La Grange city government will undergo a couple of big changes following the May 1 election. As announced last week, Mayor Janet Moerbe will step down after 33 years in city government. This Monday, Ward 1 Councilman Ken Taylor said he will also step down from the Council after serving two terms.

“I personally believe new people bring new questions, new ideas, and that’s needed,” Taylor said. “When you’ve got the same old people, you get the same old questions.”

Taylor said many of his constituents asked him to consider running again for Council or for mayor.

“I appreciate all those calls and the confidence from citizens,” Taylor said. “But I have other interests.

“When I started four years ago I really thought I could make a difference for the community, the business owners in my ward, which is the majority of them, and the employees of the City,” Raborn said. “I personally feel I have not been successful. I feel someone else should have the opportunity and be able to do more for the community, the business owners and the employees.”

During his time on Council, Taylor led an effort to begin a business practices audit and risk assessment for the City of La Grange. Taylor often raised concerns at Council meetings over issues of safety for city employees and the general public. In addition, Taylor provided a voice on the Council for the business community. Recently, he called for more representation from building owners on the City’s Main Street committee.

Taylor said he has no future plans for public service.

“I will miss it, because I enjoyed it,” Taylor said. “But its time to move on and let somebody else take the reins and do well.”

In other City Council election news, Ward 2 Councilman and mayor pro tem John “Honza” Cernosek said he is “95 percent sure” that he will run again for City Council. Cernosek said he thought about stepping down this year but decided against it after Mayor Moerbe announced her retirement.

“We’re going to have a new mayor, and I might be able to help them out,” said Cernosek, who has served 24 years on the City Council and the past eight years as mayor pro tem.

Ward 4 Councilman Pat Janca said on Monday that he was still considering whether to run again for his seat. City Hall reported that he did file for reelection on Wednesday.

So far, one person has filed for the Ward 1 seat: local banker Sandy Hooper. Sarah Mabry, a retired local education, announced her candidacy for mayor last week.