DRYDEN TWP. — Three candidates are vying for two trustee seats on the Dryden Township board. The field includes Carol English and Kim Klobucar, both incumbents, and Brian Hazen. All are Republicans. The top two vote-getters will each earn four-year terms.
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English has been a Dryden Township resident for 41 years.
“I am passionate about serving our community and have enjoyed my role in the betterment of our town as a trustee over the last four years,” she said of her reason for seeking reelection.
Roads and a balanced budget top her list of board priorities.
“A few issues that are important to me include maintaining our roads, keeping our budget balanced, ensuring the bills are accurate and paid, along with voting on critical issues that impact our community.” English expressed.
Known to many in the community as Mrs. English, Carol has been a preschool teacher in Dryden for the past 35 years, at both Dryden Community Schools and at Holy Redeemer Preschool.
Aside from teaching, English says, “Dryden has allowed me to contribute to our residents over the years as the member of three Boards and as a volunteer for multiple causes. I am passionate about serving our community and look forward to working for the town I love.”
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Hazen has been a Dryden Township resident for 25 years.
“I am seeking office because I believe that it is important to serve the community that I am a part of,” he said.
Dryden’s welcoming feel is important to Hazen, and he hopes by acting as a trustee, he can help to maintain that positive Dryden trait.
Another issue of value to him is “ensuring that leadership has an understanding of citizens’ concerns and a willingness to address those concerns,” he expressed. If elected, Hazen said he plans to ensure, “that leadership has a vision for the future that benefits all within the community, and that leadership is willing to take on blight within the community and do what is necessary to help maintain property value.”
In past years, Brian has been involved in the Dryden Community in a variety of ways. He was a former coach and board member for Dryden Hometown Baseball, a former member of the Dryden Athletic Boosters, and the former Director of Youth Ministry at Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church.
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Klobucar was elected four years ago as Kim Evans. Her husband, Ray Evans, passed in 2014 and she remarried in 2018 to Keith Klobucar.
“I have a passion to make a difference in my community by representing the needs of the people. I love our little community and the residents who live here,” Klobucar said of her reason for seeking re-election.
Klobucar served as a Medical First Responder and Administrative Assistant for the Fire Department from 1993-2012 where she was involved with teaching fire prevention activities in schools, grant writing to obtain equipment and helped formulate and manage the budget and assisted with creating the Fire Department Auxiliary.
As for issues she would like to address as a board trustee, Klobucar said, “Issues that are important to me include, but are not limited to, the township having a sustainable plan to maintain its critical services (police and fire); a plan is in place to maintain a green environment with renewable energy sources, and an upgraded website that allows citizens the convenience of conducting business online anytime.”
Kim also shared that she plans “To ensure citizens are represented equally in the eyes of the Township Board without bias and that requests from concerned citizens are taken seriously and attention to the items are investigated and resolved fairly and swiftly. I am not afraid to speak up to represent the needs of the people.”
