BROWN: ‘You try to make your home a better place’

Dennis Brown has served Union County on its board of supervisors for 10 years.

Brown grew up in Sanborn, Iowa, graduating in 1974 and then moving to Creston when his father bought a salvage yard on the west edge of town and opened Charlie Brown Used Auto Parts.

“This is my home,” he said. “You try to make your home better.”

Brown said he is running again to continue to help make a difference especially in the area of the county’s secondary roads. That has improved during his tenure and even more over the last 3 1/2 years under former Union County Engineer Zach Gunsolley. Brown drives every road in the county each year and the “troublesome” ones more often.

“Ten years ago ... it was a real crisis,” Brown said. “A lot of people didn’t think the county government was working and I think the last ten years, not just me, the good people (who work for the county) have really, I believe, restored people’s confidence in Union County government.”

Going forward, Brown said he hopes to continue to improve the roads — the most expensive portion of the county budget.

Brown said the rest of Union County government don’t run by themselves, they require oversight from the board.

“We all have to cooperate to make everything work,” he said. “Any powers that the legislature has given us are dispersed amongst all the offices.”

The challenges of being a supervisor are enjoyable for Brown, he said.

“I really enjoy it,” he said. “It’s something different all the time. ... I love the variety and working for the people trying to make things better.

“I’m a team player,” Brown said. We’ve got a very good team and I think I fit in really well with the rest of the team.