Brown honored for over 30 years of service

Madisonville city officials honored Alderman Lois Brown for her many years of service during their regular meeting April 12. Brown served the city council for over 30 years and is not seeking reelection.

“I would like to take this time to thank the citizens of Madisonville, who have been faithful and who have trusted me to serve them for over 30 years,” said Brown in a written statement to the Meteor. “You have placed me in office year after year, term after term, and I hope I have made you proud.”

A lot of change has occurred in Madisonville since Brown first took her seat on the city council.

“They were pretty great changes, as well,” said Brown in a Tuesday interview. “When I really got started I felt like the lone ranger because I was the only woman on there, and the only Black woman at that.”

Brown also had a tendency to vote contrary to the status quo if she felt it was the right thing to do, which earned her the admiration of one of Madisonville’s most prominent citizens.

“I will never forget when John Dean Carter came to me and said, ‘Lois, I know you feel like the lone ranger up there on the city council, but you are doing what you feel is right’,” said Brown. “He told me just to keep it up and that I had his vote. I really appreciated that. He was a guy who really pushed me to continue because he told me I was doing a great job.”

Carter wasn’t the only one who took notice of Brown’s work and offered words of encouragement. Many members of the community voiced their pleasure with her independent and just voice on the council and offered similar sentiments when they saw her on the street.

“That goes a long way,” said Brown. “People do not know it, but that helped me out a lot.”

In accordance with said encouragement and positive interactions with the community, Brown stated that she is going to miss the people most as her service comes to a close, both on the council and off.

“I consider the city council my second family,” said Brown. “I am going to miss the people who were on there. I am going to miss the meetings.”

She will miss consistent interactions with all of her city family as well as individuals such as Dave Ward, John Hardy, Bunkin Bennett and Jerry Reed.

“I am going to miss it all,” said Brown. “I am already missing it.

“There is still lots of work to be done to keep our city the great city that every citizen can be proud of. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and continue to keep me and your family in your prayers.”