Kathleen Wazny awarded 2016 Citizen of the Year
Vicki Baker
She draws people to her by her gracious and selfless spirit. She is a natural leader and community servant. She is one who makes a difference. She is Kathleen Wazny, Robson Ranch Kiwanis Club 2016 Citizen of the Year.
Kathleen grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska and graduated from the university with a double major in political science and history. Robson Ranch has been her home for approximately 10 years. Shortly after her move here Kathleen became involved in local politics and community betterment programs as a citizen activist pursuing solutions to problems many encountered at City Hall.
In May 2015 Kathleen was elected to Denton City Council District 3. Since then Kathleen has been instrumental in improving municipal fiscal responsibility, preserving and protecting historic neighborhoods and downtown square including residents in the city’s decision making process, working for transparency and open government, pursuing smart growth and economic decisions that encourage job creation and neighborhood compatibility and seeking solutions to traffic and mobility issues.
Outside her council responsibilities Kathleen founded and chaired the RR Ambulance/Fire Task Force and was successful in placing a full-time ambulance at Fire Station No. 7 and building a new fire station (in partnership with Argyle and Northlake) located one mile from Robson Ranch opening in the fall 2018. As founder and co-chair of Fair Taxes for Seniors in Denton she successfully had property taxes lowered, giving homeowners 65 and over an increased property tax exemption from 25% to 50%. She served on the committees for Citizens for Sound Growth, Inspiration Development Plan and Denton City Council Term Limits. Now Kathleen is actively involved in the grassroots movement and petition drive to freeze property taxes for Denton seniors and the disabled and to place this issue on the May 2017 ballot.
But Kathleen’s service does not stop there. She considers Robson Ranch family and has worked tirelessly to make this a richer and more vibrant community. Being a member of the Music Club for several years and on its board for two, she managed ticket sales and publicity, collected lists of veterans and their photos for the Veterans Day concerts, and helped establish the annual fundraising “Gold Inner Circle” program still in use today.
Kathleen has been a member of Women’s Club for many years and served on its board in charge of publicity. She’s been president of the RR Republican Club and has managed its publicity and hosted many candidate forums including the largest ever at Robson Ranch with 28 candidates from across the state. As a member of Support Our Troops, Kathleen co-chaired the Veterans Day Silent Auction and now serves on its board as publicity chair.
Kathleen feels humbled by her recognition as Citizen of the Year and honored to be associated with the Kiwanis Club, a club she described as “a community of volunteers who get up each day striving to make a difference in the world.” Well we guess it takes one to know one, because we undoubtedly know Kathleen Wazny truly makes a difference in our world.