The following is a political announcement submitted by Candidate Dennis Graham who is running for Brown County Judge.
My name is Dennis Graham and I am very excited about running for the position of Brown County Judge on the Republican ballot. When elected as your full time County Judge, I will work to serve the entire County, with fairness, respect and justice. My core values are: accountability, integrity and respect with a high moral character.
I am not running against someone, rather I’m running for something. As in running for the citizens of Brown County…so that everyone will have a vote and voice in the future of Brown County. It would be my honor, if you elect me as your next Brown County Judge, which would allow me the opportunity to share my years of knowledge and experience in operations and management.
I have several things that I would like to accomplish when elected to the office of the Brown County Judge
*I believe it’s time we roll up our sleeves and focus on the future of Brown County and its citizens by setting short and long term goals. My focus will be to lower the operating cost of Brown County and I am looking forward to working with the commissioners as a team and identifying new opportunities. I welcome Brown County Citizens to public meetings and my door will always be open for you to voice your concerns.
Conservative Leader
*I believe that an outside independent audit of the county financial records should be done as soon as possible. The cost of such an audit is minimal compared to the potential exposure of not having an outside audit performed on a periodic basis. You wouldn’t put your life savings with a firm that wasn’t audited on a regular basis. I believe you should expect the same accountability from Brown County.
*Also I believe that everybody living in the county should have the right to vote. But as I discovered while running for Brown County Water Improvement District #1 only a portion of the county residents can even vote in the Water Board election. Imagine not being able to vote on the single most valuable resource in the county…Our Water! In order to accomplish this, the county must have an accurate survey defining the metes and bounds of the county. If BCWID #1 had this information it would be possible to expand current district lines and include all residents in Brown County. This survey can only be accomplished through our County Judge and commissioners court. My vote would be to support a feasibility study to determine the estimated cost and requirements for this project and let the Voters decide. Without a survey the BCWID #1 cannot expand the original district lines, which leaves a large portion of residents the inability to vote on our most precious resource…Water!
*Last but not least, I believe anything is possible when you set goals, prepare, organize, communicate and listen to what others have to say. Your word is your bond, always follow through until finished.
Executive Management Experience
For the last 40 years, I have been in business management, working for publicly-owned companies as well as privately-owned. I have served in a variety of senior-level management positions with Airgas, including President. Currently I am the Senior Director of Retail and Distributors; I work closely with distributors and identify possible acquisition candidates for Airgas to purchase. Airgas has more than 15,000 employees, 1,100 locations in the United States and sales in excess of 5.3 billion dollars. Airgas is a Fortune 500 company which is publicly traded.
In 2012 I was elected to the Board of Directors of the Brown County Water Improvement District #1 where I currently serve as Secretary/Treasurer. I believe working together with the other Board Members we have been able to bring positive change to the Brown County Water Improvement District #1 and I believe I can do the same for Brown County.
I believe my extensive background in operations, management, personnel, budgeting, safety compliance working with federal and state agencies and contract negotiations has prepared me with necessary skills to perform effectively as The Brown County Judge.
The County Judge in Texas is the administrative head of the county government and presides over the Commissioners Court. In Texas the County Judge is NOT required to be an attorney. The majority of County Judges in the State of Texas are NOT attorneys.
4th Generation Texan
My family has lived in or near Brownwood for 130 years. My wife Kimberly and I have been together for more than 25 years. We have two sons who both graduated from Brownwood High School. When I’m not working I enjoy traveling with my family, golfing, fishing and raising my racing pigeons.
Small Business Owner
I have owned and operated two successful businesses locally here in Brownwood. The first was Brownwood Welding Supply Inc., which we sold to Airgas in 1990. Currently, I own HCD Graham Investments LLC. My wife, Kimberly, manages HCD, which consists of residential & commercial rental property.
Family Values & Community Leader
I am an active member at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church, President of the Brownwood Kiwanis Club, on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club, Executive Board Member of Boy Scouts of America, Texas Trails Council where I have Chaired the last two Distinguish Citizens Dinners, I am also an Associate Member of the Brown County Republican Women’s Club, Howard Payne University Committee “A Call to Send”, raising funds for a new Welcome Center. In 2012 I was a Brown County Republican Delegate. I am a man that believes in giving back to his community.
Important upcoming dates:
- Early voting for the Republican Primary begins February 18, ending on the 28th 2014.
- Republican Primary Election date is March 4, 2014
Thank You for Your Support & Time… Vote…Dennis Graham
