Bryan Kopman is excited to bring his experience and perspective to the Troy Township board.
The Shorewood resident was recently appointed to the Troy Township board to serve out the remainder of the late Donald Walden’s term.
“I’m honored by the appointment, the trust, the confidence shown by [Township Supervisor Joe] Baltz and the trustees,” Bryan Kopman said. “It’s bittersweet.”
Kopman, attorney employed Kavanaugh Grumley & Gorbold, is a graduate of Northwestern University and University of Notre Dame School of Law, is a lifelong resident of Will County and was a former Troy Township Planning Commission chairman.
Kopman said he hopes he can step in and assume what would’ve been Walden’s role to the best of his ability.
“Those are big shoes to fill,” the Shorewood resident said. “He was a very giving public servant.”
Baltz said with Kopman on board, Troy Township found an ideal candidate to assume the role.
“He was No. 1 in my mind to replace Troy Township trustee Don Walden,” he said.
Baltz said the Township couldn’t hold off its decision to appoint another trustee to serve for long.
The Township had 60 days from the date in which the vacancy was reported to appoint a replacement and subsequently the trustees approved the seating of a new member in a unanimous vote.
The trustees will have a number of different decisions to make as the business of the board progresses in the coming months, including a levy, budget adoption, improvements to the Troy Township parking lot.
Baltz said he thinks Kopman is ready to begin the work of the Troy Township board.
Kopman said if he had to pinpoint why Troy Township decided to appoint him, it comes down to several key factors.
“I would have to emphasize how I am a Will County resident,” he said. “I grew up in Peotone. I lived and worked on a farm. I’ve lived in Troy Township since 2000. I’ve served in many capacities through civic organizations. I have a lot of experience that gives me a feeling for the community’s needs, and I can bring a wide array of experience to the job.”
Kopman credits his upbringing for helping him to find and follow his path in life.
“It had always been instilled in me by family to giveback,” he said. “I’ve blessed in my personal and professional life. It’s important to giveback. When I got out of law school and got situated, I felt a need to get involved. Serving as a Troy Township trustee is a good way to do that.”
Kopman said he is excited to have the opportunity to work with the other members of the board to handle the board’s business.
“Having practiced as an attorney in Will County, I bring a new perspective that’s not there on the board,” he said. “No one else is a lawyer. [Having my] perspective along with the perspectives of the other people on the board, that sets us to best serve Troy Township and its residents.”
Kopman said he is ready to work for the residents of Troy Township.
“Troy Township has an excellent history of providing an array of services to residents and in doing so in a fiscally conservative way,” he said. “It has a great track record of not wasting taxpayer dollars and getting the most mileage out of them.
Kopman said he thinks the board’s biggest challenges moving forward come down to one main factor.
“The issues facing Illinois and the uncertainty in Springfield, I think that’s the most pressing issue,” he said. “To provide the services we provide and in doing so in a responsible manner as stewards of our residents’ tax dollars is my primary objective.”
Kopman intends to work toward a set of goals in his time as a trustee.
“The biggest goal I hope to accomplish is the trust and confidence of Troy Township,” he said. “I hope they’ll come to me with issues and concerns, and trust that I’ll work with them to address those issues and concerns.”
Kopman is expected to serve out the remainder of his term, which expires in 2021.