March 29, 2024

4 vie for 2 supervisor positions in upcoming primary

The positions of Union County auditor and sheriff are also open.

Before the general elections scheduled for Nov. 8, 2016, the Iowa primary election will take place June 7.

“The primary is when the Democratic party and the Republican party vote on who they want representing the tickets of who is up,” said Union County Auditor Sandy Hysell.

The Union County Courthouse will be open for absentee voters Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The last day to request an absentee ballot to be mailed is Friday, and the office will be open till 5 p.m. The last day to vote absentee is Monday, and the office will be open till 5 p.m.

Four people filed papers for two open positions on Union County Board of Supervisors, and one person each filed for the open positions of Union County Auditor and Union County Sheriff.

Lois Monday, Dennis Brown and Joe Owens are running on the Republican ticket for supervisors. Robert G. Brown is running on the supervisors Democratic ticket.

Hysell is running unopposed for auditor, and Union County Sheriff Rick Piel is also running unopposed for his current position.

Union County Board of Supervisors

Dennis Brown

Age: 60

Of: Shannon City

Work history: Dennis has worked at Charlie Brown’s for 42 years, where he works with the public daily. He was elected to the board of supervisors in 2010, alongside Lois Monday, and in 2011 took his position.

Party: Republican

Why do you want to remain a supervisor?: “I really enjoy it. It’s a variety of things all the time. ... We have to work with really, really good people at the county level. It’s nice to work with a good team like that.”

What do you think you bring to the position that someone else doesn’t?: “I guess six years of experience now, and having worked with the public since I was in high school. ... I think I’m able to listen and try to solve problems, but not bust the budget.”

Robert G. Brown

Age: 65

Of: Thayer

Party: Democrat

Work history: Robert was a supervisor from 1985 to 2011. While he was on the board, he was also on the Three Mile Lake, RC and D, Heartland and the Empowerment boards, all of which he remains on.

Why do you want to be a supervisor?: “I miss it. I miss the people. I farm and things like that and I’m always looking to improve things,” Robert said. He went on to say he helped improve Three Mile Lake by turning it into the lake it is today and has been appreciative of the people he worked with on the board and other commissions. “That’s true economic development. I’m very proud of that, and those are the kinds of things that I miss.”

What do you think you bring to the position that someone else doesn’t?: “A lot of knowledge. That’s 28 years that I’ve gained. I have a lot of contacts up at the state level. ... I miss all the good people, and I have good working relationships with them. I see something that I think needs to be improved and I do it.”

Lois Monday

Age: 73

Of: Creston

Work history: Monday was a member of Creston City Council from 2000 to 2004, then was elected to Union County Board of Supervisors in the 2010 general election alongside Dennis Brown. She took her position in 2011.

Party: Republican

Why do you want to remain a supervisor?: “I want to make very sure we get totally out of debt, and we got a debt load we cut down immensely,” Monday said. “We all work well together and we’ve made great strides together.”

What do you think you bring to the position that someone else doesn’t?: “I watch every dime that goes in and out. I don’t vote with the flow; I vote for what’s right for the people of Union County,” Monday said. “Everybody works well together and there’s no more bickering and hostility. It’s a good atmosphere up there, and no matter if I win, draw or lose, I think we’ve done a good job up there.”

Joe Owens

Age: 65

Of: Creston

Party: Republican

Work history: Owens was a railroad manager for more than 25 years, where he was responsible for more than 200 employees and presented and balanced the budget. He is currently the chair of the Republican Central Committee in Union County.

Why do you want to be a supervisor?: “It’s not that I think that anyone’s doing a bad job. I think that a lot of positions in government, whether they be municipal, national or state, you need to make a change once in a while, look at things with a fresh set of eyes.”

What do you think you bring to the position that someone else doesn’t?: “I work with people real well, and the other part of it is, I’m not afraid to stand up for what’s right rather than go with the flow. I have a lot of experience with ledgers and watching the money, seeing where it’s going and the accountability part.”

Union County Auditor

Sandy Hysell

Age: 56

Of: Afton

Work history: Hysell worked at First National Bank before becoming the information technician in 1989 at Union County Courthouse. She was then appointed to auditor in 2001.

Why do you want to remain auditor?: “For me, it’s the best of both worlds. I love working with people and I really like working with numbers.”

What do you think you can bring to the position that someone else can’t?: “Knowledge. I’ve been in the auditor’s office since ‘89, so I’ve got a lot of knowledge of the office. I still learn everyday; there’s always new stuff to learn. But, I think having the knowledge of what goes on is key to the auditor’s office.”

Union County Sheriff

Rick Piel

Age: 58

Of: Creston

Work history: Piel was a Creston Police officer for 23 years before becoming sheriff in 2001.

Why do you want to remain sheriff?: “I still have a few things that I’d like to accomplish before leaving here.”

What do you think you can bring to the position that someone else can’t?: “Experience, because I’ve been here since 2011, and have knowledge of the justice system thanks to being part of the Creston Police Department. And, common sense. This is a job that requires a lot of common sense.”