Outgoing Rockwell mayor recognized with state award, street named after him
Published 12:10 am Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Outgoing Rockwell Mayor Beau Taylor and his family pose with all of the awards he was given after his successor was sworn in. Taylor received the Old North State Award from the governor's office, a gavel and plaque from the town and a state flag flown over the Capitol Building in his honor from Senator Carl Ford.
Representative Harry Warren, left, presents the Old North State Award to outgoing Rockwell Mayor Beau Taylor.
ROCKWELL — Former Rockwell Mayor Beau Taylor received awards from both the governor’s office and the town and had a street named after him during the Rockwell Board of Aldermen meeting on Monday.
Taylor chose not to run for reelection after spending 20 years as mayor and two before that as mayor pro-tem for Rockwell. Taylor was presented with the Old North State Award by State Rep. Harry Warren.
“This award tonight from the governor is for Beau for more than 20 years of dedication and service to the state, above and beyond expectation and excellence. Not a lot of these going around,” said Warren.
Alderman Dillon Brewer sent a letter of recommendation espousing Taylor’s accomplishments to the governor’s office. In that letter, Brewer talks about Taylor’s steady hand in guiding the town’s recent growth. Brewer also pointed to Taylor’s presence in the town attracting economic growth and national brands.
“Recognizing the town’s potential for growth, Beau strategically charted a course for its development while preserving its cherished heritage. Under his stewardship, Rockwell has experienced unprecedented expansion, nearly doubling in size in 20 years. All a testament to his strategic planning and commitment to economic development,” wrote Brewer in the letter of recommendation.
Taylor also received a North Carolina state flag that was flown over the Capitol in his honor from Sen. Carl Ford and a ceremonial gavel and plaque from the town of Rockwell.
After the aldermen and new mayor were sworn in and the town held a public hearing, Poole Street was renamed to Mayor Taylor Street. Town Clerk Marlene Dunn said that the town has already handled the administrative responsibilities and cleared the name change with the county.
Chuck Bowman was sworn in during the meeting and will be taking over for Taylor as mayor. Before challenging Taylor as mayor in the 2021 election, Bowman served 14 years as an alderman. Bowman was reappointed to the board after Alderwoman Lizz Johnson resigned.
Incoming Alderman Fred West was sworn in as well, while Alderman Jay Stake had a scheduling conflict and was unable to attend, Bowman said. West and Stake are stepping into the seats opened by Bowman’s move to the mayoral chair and former Alderman Justin Crews’ decision not to run for reelection. Crews also received a commemorative plaque from the town.
