Greg Taylor is seeking a second term on the Renton City Council, hoping to use those four years to help create new jobs in Renton and protect the ones already in the city.

Taylor, 55, announced his intention to run this week. His first term started in 2008, just as the nation’s deep recession was tightening its grip on City of Renton finances.

He has sat on the council when the city has had to lay off workers and cut significantly from its budget, while still protecting such key services as public safety.

“Our team has done an exemplary job navigating through these difficult times as best we could with our resources,” he said.

Through Mayor Denis Law’s leadership and the council’s actions, he said Renton is in a better position than most cities in the region. He’s optimistic.

The city may face more “tough days,” he said, but “I think brighter, better days are ahead of us.”

Taylor has an extensive background in community and regional leadership positions. On the City Council he chairs the Public Safety Committee, is vice chairman of the Finance Committee and is a member of the Planning and Development Committee.

A focus for Taylor is to keep a strong workforce and to work with the city’s partners to ensure that the workforce is well-educated.

“Everyone is keenly aware that a strong workforce comes from a strong education,” he said.

On another issue on the city’s horizon – the annexation of West Hill – Taylor said he shares Law’s concern about annexing an area that can’t pay for the services or capital projects the city could provide.

But he’s also “deeply concerned” about not solving that financial problem.

West Hill already has an impact on Renton, he said, and West Hill residents want city services, safe neighborhoods and economic development.

“West Hill is a gateway to the city,” he said.

Taylor wants to focus the city’s energy on one of its existing neighborhoods – the Highlands, which “has been neglected for many years.”

A major redevelopment of public housing owned by the Renton Housing Authority and investment by the City of Renton and other public agencies “will really change the atmosphere” of the Sunset area, he said.

He wants to see the process to adopt the Sunset Area Plan continue and then see the projects completed.

Taylor, wife Sandra and daughter Rachel have lived on Earlington Hill for 14 years. Taylor has two adult children, Rashida and Gregory Jr.