SPIRIT LAKE - Jimmy Brown Jr. believes his familiarity with Spirit Lake makes him a viable candidate to be re-elected to the City Council on Nov. 5.

"I bring an understanding of how the city government works," the 56-year-old construction consultant said. "I believe I was the last one born here who still lives here. I love this city or I wouldn't be serving."

Brown is an incumbent in the council race. He is among six candidates seeking two seats.

Brown faces charges for misdemeanor battery and indecent exposure from an alleged incident in mid-June. He earlier denied the allegations, calling them a "smear campaign."

He has not commented on the allegations since charges were filed on Sept. 23. A pre-trial conference arraignment in the case is scheduled for Oct. 28.

Brown was recently appointed to the city's Historical Preservation Commission. He also is involved with the Masonic Lodge in Spirit Lake. His father was a former mayor of the city.

Brown believes his strength is working with people.

"I'm approachable," he said. "Most people know who I am."

He said his background and personality are critical at a time when there are differing views on the town's future.

"Some people don't want construction and to keep it a bedroom community, and a lot of people want fast growth," he said. "It's a quite diverse population."

Brown has lived in Spirit Lake all of his life, except when he went to college.

"I've donated a lot of time to the community," he said, referring to recreation projects. He said he wants the city to continue its pursuit of repairing streets as it had fallen behind on that front.

Brown said, overall, the city is headed in the right direction.

"You always have to have some growth - or the city will die," he said. "But you can't let growth get out of control."

He said the city has been able to expand youth programs and keep up with equipment needs of the staff.

"We've done a lot with a little," he said.

More citizen involvement is needed, Brown said.

"If people would just come to the meetings once a month, that would clear up a lot of rumors," he added.