Hazlet challenged for Concord Township supervisor seat by ex-supervisor’s son
Longtime Concord Township supervisor Dave Hazlet’s seat on the board of supervisors is up for reelection in the May 20 primary election. The challenger is fellow Republican and former Concord Township employee Ian Manuel, the son of former supervisor Thomas Manuel.
They are vying for a six-year term.
Hazlet was first elected supervisor in 1997, with his first term starting in January 1998.
“I ran the first time when there was going to be a vacancy, and having always being active in the community, it seemed like a good fit,” Hazlet said.
Although he has served on the board for nearly a quarter century combined, he spent four years away from the board at the end of the 2010s after losing his seat in the 2015 general election. That year, he lost a close race with Kandi Nassy, 195-162. In that election, Hazlet was running as the Democratic candidate against the Republican Nassy.
After four years away from the board, Hazlet regained his seat by defeating Timothy Vogel and Thomas Manuel — Ian’s father — in a three-way primary in 2019.
“I felt the need to get involved again, to get the township back in order and make the township a place where residents could come for answers, instead of a place where what they got was aggravation,” Hazlet said.
Manuel is an emergency medical technician, after completing a course offered by Butler County Community College. He said he has previously worked for Concord Township, as well as one other township.
“I have learned so much between the two and saw a lot of differences, which I felt would help us here in Concord,” Manuel said. “With almost four years of township experience, I feel this gives me proper qualification to become supervisor.”
Part of the reason Manuel is running for the position is to honor his father, the late Thomas Manuel, whom Hazlet defeated to regain his seat on the board of supervisors in 2019.
“I learned from him that it is important to listen to the concerns and needs of the community,” Manuel said. “The township is more than just a board of supervisors making decisions. It’s about working closely with the community as well. That’s what we need here again.”
Although Manuel has no experience in civic government, it hasn’t been for lack of trying. He ran unsuccessfully for Concord Township auditor in 2021, losing in the primary to Robert H. Niggel.
“I have run for other positions within the township, but I have yet to obtain one,” Manuel said. “I'm hoping this is the time that will change.”
Hazlet: “My goal is to maintain a good relationship between supervisors and residents.”
Manuel: “My goals are to focus on the concerns I have heard from everyone in the township. There are major concerns over money being spent unnecessarily, roads that have needed work for some time now as they’re crumbling apart, earlier reactions to winter weather and much more.”
Hazlet: “As has been a major issue for many years, the mandates from federal and state government with no funding to support them are an issue. Concord Township supervisors work with other local, county, state and federal officials to keep these under control. I had the opportunity to serve on the state board of township officials committee that sets the plan for how townships of different sizes can deal with the different issues we each face. Six years on this committee certainly gives you a different outlook.”
Manuel: “The workers need more knowledge, the roads need major care, and we need to take care of the needs and concerns from residents. Resolve these issues first by finding training and education for the workers, perhaps bringing a veteran worker in to share knowledge. Get feet on the ground to fix potholes, clear ditches, mow back berms and brush, get a game plan ready for the year. Lastly, to take concerns seriously and not put them on a back burner.”
Hazlet: “Concord Township is a quiet, family-friendly neighborhood, where we supervisors work to keep costs low while protecting everybody’s rights and property under the regulations that are set beyond our control. As always, I will keep things under control and make sure all residents’ needs are handled in a timely and efficient manner.”
Manuel: “I have been a part of this community for about 23 years, where I have had the chance to grow up and be a part of something great. We have great people here. I’ve learned that just over the last month listening to people tell stories of how they have been here since birth, living in homes built by their parents or grandparents. It’s just simple, quiet country living around here. You can’t make it much better than that.”
