My assessment of the candidates running for county supervisor
We've been publishing political letters to the editor for several weeks at the Creston News Advertiser, specifically regarding the three-person race for county supervisors including Bob Brown, Dennis Brown and Lois Monday.
As we bear down on Election Day, I feel comfortable enough to give an opinion on these three candidates running for supervisor because I'm there in the gallery for meetings each Monday morning as they work through every agenda item.
First, I'd like to point out, Ron Riley will more than likely be on the three-person board in January when the board of supervisors moves from five to three members. He's running unopposed for the two-year term.
That's great news for county taxpayers worried whether this new change to a three-person board will work. Riley has experience, was a board chairman in 2011, works respectfully and cooperatively and makes each vote with the best interest of the county in mind.
Regarding the race between Bob Brown, Dennis Brown and Monday, we published a question-and-answer profile on the three candidates in last Wednesday's CNA. That article gives you a pretty good indication of what each candidates stands for.
It's my opinion they all have strengths.
If you want a conservative, budget-hawk, Lois Monday is without a doubt your supervisor.
She looks intently at every bill that comes through the county. She's strongly against borrowing money. She's like the stern mother who pinches pennies, "scrimps and scrapes" and is focused on making each taxpayer dollar count.
I would also credit Lois and the auditor's office for pushing the board to change health-insurance providers for this fiscal year. That change to Bernie Lowe & Associates is expected to save the county taxpayers about $198,000 in 2012-13.
If you want a supervisor who has a strong work ethic and independent mind, Dennis Brown is your supervisor.
I must give credit to both Dennis Brown and Riley because they've taken on some of the more controversial issues this fiscal year, namely the research involved in scoring the master matrix for the Taylor hog confinements. Dennis is always ready to tackle a tough issue and nobody does it in a more fair, professional and justified way than Dennis Brown.
I'd also say, in a world where empty promises from political candidates are becoming more common, you can trust when Dennis Brown says he will do something, it will get done.
And lastly, if you want experience and a lot of it — about 28 years worth — then Bob Brown is your candidate. Last January, he was elected board chairman of the current board — a board that has this county headed in the right direction.
Bob Brown knows this county's roads and bridges as well as anyone on the board. He can probably identify them better than half of the mail carriers that deliver on them.
Each of these candidates bring their own strengths to the board of supervisors room, which is a primary reason this board works so well together.
I won't tell you who to vote for.
But, I do have peace of mind knowing whoever you do select next week will help form a very good three-person board — a three-person board county taxpayers can trust.
I truly believe that.
