Brett Daley (Democrat)

Supervisor-3
Can you tell us about yourself?
I was born and raised in Howard County and graduated from Crestwood High School in 2007. I moved back to the area after graduate school and am part of the fifth generation  to work on our family farm. I am currently living southeast of Davis Corners. 
Aside from farming, I drive school bus part-time for Howard-Winn and am a founding member of the Howard County Energy District. This organization’s goal is to help local residents and businesses save energy and money by promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. 
Finally, I have been spending time the last few months going around Howard County’s 3rd district introducing myself and discussing with people the topics and issues important to them. If I haven’t talked to you yet, I hope to do so before election day. However, please feel free to reach out to me by phone at 319-239-9162 with any questions or concerns.
What motivates you to want to run for the Howard County Board of Supervisors?
My decision to run for this office is a long time in the making. I’ve been interested in government for as long as I can remember; however, sometime during college it became obvious to me that public service was the best route for me to accomplish the things I want to accomplish. I am driven to help Howard County continue to grow and thrive, and I will be thankful if I am given the opportunity to serve on the Board of Supervisors.
What are some of the strengths of Howard County? Why do you see them as strengths?
Howard County has many strengths. Chief among these strengths are the people and the natural resources. Howard County is fortunate to have thousands of dedicated and capable people living and working here. The land and water resources here are extraordinary, and they form the basis of our agricultural economy and provide tremendous opportunities for recreation.
What aspects of Howard County would you like to see improved? Why do you wish to focus on these areas?
As I mentioned above, Howard County’s economy begins with agriculture. With this in mind, the condition of roads and bridges is of primary concern to me as a candidate for Supervisor. The county has made strides recently in their improvements to roads and bridges, and these improvements must continue. Usable roads and bridges are critical for our farmers to market their grain and livestock effectively. 
Another area that needs improvement is communication. This includes everything from the way our governing board communicates with the people it serves to the way we communicate about important issues in the county. Effective, respectful communication among the people and communities of the county is the only way to tackle the difficult issues facing all the communities and people of Howard County.
If elected, what do you hope are some of your accomplishments while serving on the Board of Supervisors?
Referring back to the areas of Howard County that I see needing improvement, one accomplishment I hope to have as a Supervisor is the continued improvement to our county’s roads and bridges. Regarding communication, I hope to see the county Board of Supervisors more effectively communicate to the residents of Howard County what they are doing and why they are doing it. Essentially, the board needs to do a better job of letting people know how it is spending their money. 
There is also an important question regarding future economic development in the county that we, as a county-wide community, need to answer. The question we need to answer is this: Where is the balance of economic development and social responsibility that most benefits Howard County? I look forward to helping answer that question.
What strengths do you bring to the Board of Supervisors?
Some of my strengths are my energy, effort, focus and drive. If elected, I will not be treating the position of Supervisor as a “side-job.” I will put all I can into the position in order to do it well. I am also an effective communicator and a quick learner, and I will use all these tools to serve the people of Howard County. Another strength I will bring is the recognition that all the people and communities of the county need to be represented and heard in order for us to thrive.
What relationship do you feel the board should have with the people of Howard County?
The position of Supervisor is a representative position. This means the members of the board are supposed to represent the residents of Howard County. The first step in representing people is understanding their needs, goals and concerns. This is why I’ve been knocking on as many doors and talking to as many people as I can. 
Another important aspect of a representative position is the communication from the board to the residents. This communication needs to be as detailed as possible and completely transparent. If elected, I will be out communicating with the residents, organizations and businesses of Howard County in order to represent them well.
Where do see Howard County in 10 years?
Howard County is changing. Our population is aging and decreasing. The cost of raising, schooling and caring for our residents continues to go up. 
Our workforces are changing too. Farming, for example, has become so efficient that fewer workers are needed to handle more acres, higher yields and more livestock. On top of all this, state and federal government aid will likely decrease. 
I am not in the business of predicting the future, but I know the people of Howard County are capable of addressing these changes and taking steps to ensure our county continues to thrive.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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