Kelly Bryan seeks Poweshiek County Board of Supervisors seat

   Montezuma’s Kelly Bryan has thrown his hat in the political ring.
  Bryan, 61, announced recently that he is running for the Poweshiek County Board of Supervisors seat currently held by Diana Dawley.
    Dawley announced last week that she is seeking re-election to her second term on the board.
   When asked why he decided to run, Bryan said at this stage in his life, he is ready to attempt to make a change in the way Poweshiek County evaluates its priorities and how they are budgeted.
     “I have watched for many years as things in our county seemingly have not improved as much as I believe they should,” said Bryan. “The only way to attempt to make change is to become part of the difference.”
     If elected, Bryan said he will bring change to how the  job of county supervisor is viewed as well as being done.
      “I bring a diverse background to this position,” noted Bryan. “I believe now is the time to bring a different set of skills to help our county move forward in the 21st Century.”
      Bryan said for a large part of his career, he has held management positions as well as being a business owner.
        “A good understanding of business without political interference is needed for change,” said Bryan.
        Bryan is currently a district sales manager for DuraCrop Seed, which is headquartered in Oskaloosa.
    “I work with hundreds of farmers annually, which gives me a great understanding of some of the challenges being face now as well as moving forward,” said Bryan. “In my many years working in this county, I have also worked for and around multiple heavy equipment companies. I believe this is an advantage moving forward while attempting to address the infrastructure needs of our county in the very near future.”
        Bryan is currently a registered Republican. However, he believes that a political preference should not be involved at any county election.
       “Although almost all of the decisions made by this position will affect our daily lives, this office should never be decided by what a political parties beliefs are,” he said. “It should be based on common sense, good business practices as well as what is best for the majority of the people that we all live around within our county.”
       Bryan has lived in or around Montezuma for almost his entire life. He and his wife, Lori, of 42 years, reside in rural Montezuma. The couple has been blessed with three daughters, all married with five, soon to be six, grandchildren.
         Bryan has four older brothers and two older sisters, all but one live within 30 minutes of Montezuma.
         “I was raised with strong Christian beliefs as well as close family values,” he said. “Everything starts and stops with family, religion and community.”
         Bryan said his platform and reason for running for the county board of supervisors is quite simple.
      “I am hoping to make a change in our counties secondary and primary roads as well as bringing a different way of looking at the needs of the majority of voters regardless of party preference,” said Bryan. “I also believe I bring a large amount of business management skills to help as well as identify all of our budget needs of the future.”
         Bryan noted that when he was younger, the roads in the county were in much better condition than they are today.
       “A large amount of people believe that it’s all because of the large equipment that travel our roads, today,” he said. “I agree with this partly, but also believe that we evolve daily. We all know that our tax basis has raised significantly over the years and we need to take a hard look as to why, where and how these tax dollars are being spent.”
        In closing, Bryan said he is thankful to his entire family and community for this opportunity, and he is asking for your vote for the future of our great county.