Spring 2023

There is comfort in being in this together.

Greetings Friends and Neighbors,

“Alone we can do so little; together we can to so much.” That is how author and disability rights activist Helen Keller viewed her life, which was highly productive despite the loss of both her sight and hearing while she was just an infant.  I am humbled by her story, and I take her advice to heart as I seek to strengthen our Bremen Township communities through my role as Supervisor.

What I have learned in my years in my years on the township board, both as a Trustee and now as Supervisor, is that every community in Bremen is unique with its own set of concerns and challenges.  Our local governments struggle with some of the same problems also, whether it is economic development, infrastructure upgrades, financial difficulties, or educational and recreational opportunities.  In an always unpredictable world, public safety has climbed to the top of our concerns.  We want our children to be safe in their schools and parks, we want to travel through our local communities without fear.

Quality of life is especially important when we seek a place to raise our families.  Clearly, working together toward that goal is in all our best interests.  That is why Bremen Township reaches out to other local officials and agencies to join with us so we can address these issues together.  We also welcome new relationships, such as our ongoing collaboration Patricia Theresa Flynn, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, along with County Commissioner Donna Miller to find solutions to flooding problems throughout the township.  Commissioner Flynn has also served as a Village of Crestwood Trustee and knows well the nature of Bremen communities.  We are grateful to have both of them on board with us.

Township Government often fills in the voids when other local agencies are stretched thin, and we serve as the safety net for services such as food assistance, senior transportation and help with utility bills to name a few.

It is not a good thing to go it alone in this world.  As I grapple daily with issues confronting Bremen Township, I need to know what issues our residents are concerned with.  I need to have your partnership so we can continue to move forward.  We have an open-door policy, so please contact us with your concerns so that together we can seek solutions.

Helen Keller was right on target with her philosophy that together we can do so much!

Sincerely Yours,

Kathryn Straniero, Bremen Township Supervisor