Frederick Charles Taylor (1907 – December 15, 1961) was a Canadian politician. He served as the reeve (mayor) of York, Ontario in 1961. York is now part of Toronto.
Early life
editTaylor was born in Toronto and educated at Harbord Collegiate Institute. Before establishing his building company, Taylor had experience as a salesman and contractor.[1]
Career
editHis political career began in 1951 when he was elected to the school board, earning a position on York Township Council in 1955.
Despite his previous loss as a township council candidate, he ran for the reeveship in 1960, succeeding Tonks by a nearly three-to-one margin. He ran as a reformer during the municipal election. Taylor had been striving to persuade the government to establish a royal commission for investigating corruption in land dealings. In 1956, he proposed an inquiry at township council, but it was rejected. Conducting his own investigation, he discovered many building permits that resulted in the construction of illegal tri-plexes (small three-level apartment buildings).[2] As a township councillor, Taylor opposed numerous land deals that Judge David Sweet's royal commission into alleged corruption in York Township criticized. Taylor, a semi-retired builder, served as a school trustee for four years and a township councillor for three. He received endorsement for the reeveship from the York Township Citizens' Committee. This committee obtained a court order to remove Tonks as reeve, which was ultimately overturned on appeal.[3]
After nearly a year as reeve, Taylor died of a heart attack on December 15, 1961.[1][4][5] He was succeeded by Walter Saunders.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b "Frederick Taylor: Contractor-Reeve, 55, Sparked York Probe". The Globe and Mail. 1961-12-16..
- ^ Judge Sweets Thunderous Report Resounds Behind York Electioneering: 3 Oppose Reeve Tonks, 20 Run for 8 Other Jobs The Globe and Mail (1936-); Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]. 23 Nov 1960: 3.
- ^ "Taylor's plan for York: Would O.K. occupied triplexes". Toronto Daily Star. 1960-11-01.
- ^ "Fred Taylor, York Twp Reeve". Toronto Daily Star. 1961-12-15.
- ^ Baker, Alden (1960-12-06). "Summerville, Allen Denhison Givens on Board". The Globe and Mail.
Urged Probe, Ousts Tonks In York Twp
. - ^ "New York Township Reeve Favors 'Posh' Apartments". Toronto Daily Star, pg 19. January 3, 1962. ProQuest 1425996182. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
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