Age: 69.
Address: 5823 County Road 103 N.W., Byron.
Family: Married, nine children.
Work history: Farms in rural Byron. Previously worked for IBM and was in the Marine Corps from 1953–56.
; Education history: Holds no advanced degrees.
ADVERTISEMENT
Community activities: Involved with Dairy Relief, a national non-profit group started in 1998 to deliver surplus dairy products to the needy.
Government history: Served on the Olmsted County Board from 1978 to 1986. Returned to the board in 2000 and retired from it in 2002.
Contact information: 775-2265
Top three issues:
1. Taking a back-to-basics approach to government.
2. Enhancing public safety.
3. Draw upon community volunteers to meet county needs.
Candidate's statement:
ADVERTISEMENT
"Cutbacks from the state makes county government more important than ever. Ten years being commissioner, with huge decisions made, qualifies me to be involved again."
By Joshua Lynsen
jlynsen@postbulletin.com
Jim Daley wants to represent Olmsted County's 2nd District -- a distinction he's held twice before.
But to win the spot, Daley must beat Jim Bier, the commissioner who replaced him in 2002. Daley, who served from 1978 to 1986, returned to the board in 2000. He retired in 2002 to seek the legislative seat now held by Sen. Dave Senjem.
Daley said he wants to return to the county board because he has the experience to make a difference in difficult times.
"I thought about filing for the Legislature, but the more important place to be is at the local level," he said. "We need to be creative and innovative."
Daley said the county should focus only on essential services and let community volunteers coordinate other assistance.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Somehow, we need to put the toys away and get back to basics," he said. "We have to involve neighbors, churches, fraternal organizations."
During his tenure, Daley voted against a commissioner pay raise and for an ordinance that banned smoking in county restaurants. The raise, passed in late 2002, increased annual compensation to an average $31,500.
Daley said he's spent about $2,000 on his campaign.
