Marble Cliff resident Joanne Taylor doesn’t think her friends were surprised when she decided to run for a seat on Village Council.
“I think they believe I’ll do a good job. I may be a casual person who loves a good T-shirt, but I’ll come to meetings prepared and ready to ask questions when I need more information,” Taylor says. “I love to do new things and have a vested interest in keeping Marble Cliff unique and thriving.”
From left to right: Greg, Carter, Norah, Joanne, Maddie and Zach, photo courtesy of the Taylor family
Joanne and her husband, Greg, began married life in Grandview Heights in 1996 and moved to Marble Cliff in 2003. They chose the area because it was close to downtown Columbus, where Greg works as the chief information officer for the State Teachers Retirement System.
“We love the area and the schools,” she says.
With daughter Maddie (16) at the high school; sons Carter (13) and Zach (11) in the eighth and sixth grades, respectively; and daughter Norah (10) in the fifth grade, it’s little wonder Taylor says she’s “pretty involved” at the schools. That involvement includes the Band Parents, the PTO, the Grandview Baseball/Softball Association, and even coaching Norah’s softball team.
Taylor also served as co-chairwoman of the Grandview Heights/Marble Cliff Foundation Gala. When she’s not going to her kids’ activities, Taylor enjoys reading mysteries, getting together with friends and traveling.
The Taylors are trying to take the kids to all 50 states and do things they don’t get to do around central Ohio.
“I love where we live, but there are so many things to learn and enjoy around the country,” Taylor says.
Taylor’s life has been filled with a fair amount of travel.
Her father was a chemical engineer for a large international firm, so the family moved around quite a bit. Her parents, Ken and Margaret Carter, now live in Grandview at Summit Chase. Born in Charleston, S.C. in 1969, Taylor attended schools in England and the states, spending all four high school years in Marietta.
“My parents promised my twin sister and me that we could start and finish high school in one place, and we did,” Taylor says.
Taylor graduated from Miami University with a degree in psychology in 1991 and from The Ohio State University with her master’s degree in social work in 1993. That’s how she ended up in Columbus permanently. She worked for Franklin County Children Services during grad school and became a licensed independent social worker.
Two years were spent working in the OSU Hospital Emergency Room burn unit, where she also handled rape-crisis cases. Joanne says she preferred to do short-term crisis intervention and, having experienced her share of tragedy and trauma at the burn unit, moved to Franklin County Juvenile Detention to work with convicted felons and misdemeanor children.
At about the same time, a friend introduced her to Greg. A new chapter in her life had begun.
In addition to having a family of their own, the Taylors have welcomed five foster children into their home over the last four years.
“We believe every kid deserves to be loved and celebrated,” Taylor says.
The shortest stay has been two months. Two brothers stayed for two years, while a baby was with them for a year.
“Every child we get has been embraced by this community,” Taylor says. “It’s such a nice feeling to have that support. That’s why we love the neighborhood we live in and why I want to serve Marble Cliff.”
Bill Johannes is the administrative assistant for the city of Marble Cliff. Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com.
