The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By David Grimes/Quill Correspondent
Marion "Brownie" Brown left the Henderson County Board this fall, but has decided to run for mayor of the county seat.
Brown, who opted a year ago not to retain his seat on the county board, will seek to become mayor of Oquawka with the major plank in his platform being economic development.
A county resident since 1981, Brown, 70, has held several local government offices.
Brown has served as mayor of Gulfport, and of Oquawka at the beginning of his political career, but downplayed those stints in local government, referring to them as less than colorful earlier this year.
"There were no outstanding developments or major undertakings during my terms as mayor," he said at the time.
But Brown believes his experience, including contacts made at the state and local level, will be beneficial.
He said Oquawka has untapped potential and has yet to realize the time is right for the town to turn things around economically.
"I'd like to organize the local business people and see what we can do to attract more business here," he said.
Brown pointed out the hometown of British Open champion Todd Hamilton has a healthy downtown business district.
Other assets include the Mississippi River, the historic Phelps House and, not to be overlooked, the grave of Norma Jean, the circus elephant that was struck by lightning during a stop in the village and buried at the site several decades ago.
The pachyderm angle, often the source of jokes, Brown said, still draws tour buses and out-of-state visitors and has the potential to spark tourism interest.
"(Illinois Gov. Rod Blagovich) was through here some time ago and visited the grave and talked about it when he gave a speech in Quincy," Brown said.
There are no bad ideas when it comes to boosting the local economy, according to the former mayor who once said he hates seeing any empty storefronts in town.
He's cautiously optimistic that Oquawka can work toward a bright future and he would like to be in place to lead the village forward.
"I'd like to try it again," he said.