The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By David Grimes, The Quill
OQUAWKA - Who will be serving as chairman of the Henderson County Board this time next year remains to be seen, but who it will not be has been determined.
Marion "Brownie" Brown-D, the current chairman, announced at the board's November meeting that he will not seek re-election next fall.
"I just don't have the fire to tackle things like I used to have," said Brown, who will turn 70 in March.
The lifelong Democrat, although reticent to discuss his health, has battled the challenges of diabetes and heart disease over the past few years, and with increasing frequency recently.
"My dad used to tell me, "If you can't give 100 percent at what you're doing, don't do it,' " Brown said.
Brown grew up in Gulfport, attending school there and later at G and O in Gladstone. He moved to Burlington where he lived for 27 years, raised his three children and worked in medical equipment sales.
Brown later returned to Gulfport where he served as his hometown's mayor from 1981 to 1982.
He moved to Oquawka in 1982, the same year he remarried.
Brown credits his wife, Gale, with his success in local government. She keeps him on an even keel and serves as his advisor.
"I honestly don't know what I'd do without her," he said. "She is my sounding board."
Brown served on the Oquawka Village Board from 1987 to 1989, and as mayor from 1989 to 1992.
He continues to work on expansion of U.S. 34 in the county as a member of the Highway 34 Coalition. And he remains active as a member of the western Illinois Police Training Board.
His stints in local government at both Gulfport and Oquawka were, for the most part, less than colorful.
"There were no outstanding developments or major undertakings during my terms as mayor," Brown said.
But his time serving on the Henderson County Board over the past decade has produced some vivid memories for Brown.
His passion for politics was noticed early on, and he credits former Oquawka mayor and current fellow board member Barb Lumbeck and the late Delmar Russell for tutoring him in county government.
"And I'm still learning more all the time," Brown said. "There are so many requirements at the local level that are mandated by the state."
Work in the past few years on implementing a deputies union - the first and only union established in Henderson County - and in bringing Josh Richardson on board as the county engineer are projects Brown had an active role in and are achievements in which he takes particular satisfaction.
What has posed the most difficulty for Brown during his time in county politics came during the past year while working on the current year's budget.
"Not being able to give our people (county employees) at least a cost of living increase on this year's budget and shortening the hours the courthouse is open was the hardest thing I've ever done," he said.
He has served on every board committee but the jail committee.
"And that was my choice," Brown said. "The sheriff (Mark Lumbeck) and I are good friends and I didn't want that to interfere for any reason."
Brown compliments his fellow board members, past and present, for working toward the good of the county and not letting party affiliation get in the way.
The current board consists of six Democrats and five Republicans.
Brown hints that if he still had the physical stamina to work on the board, he would.
"I've enjoyed serving the county," he said.
"I've always been proud of Henderson County. It's my home. I love it."