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Sunday, Jul. 05, 2009

Warner Robins businessman announces run for council

Mike Daley, a 59-year-old businessesman, publicly announced his candidacy for Warner Robins City Council Post 1 on Saturday.

Daley is the first candidate to announce in the race to replace incumbent John Havrilla, who is not running for re-election in the fall.

Daley will still need to file paperwork to qualify for the race. Daley wants to translate the skills he has learned in the business world into city government, he said. “I’ve been pretty successful in private business,” he said.

“I think where I am really coming from is a sound business person that can make intelligent decisions,” he said.

Now, he said, he wants an opportunity to give back.

“I’m OK moneywise. I’m more into getting involved in the city,” he said. “I’m really looking to get involved.”

He is new to running for elected office, he said.

“I’m not a politician. This is my first rodeo,” he said.

Daley, a self-employed real estate investor, graduated from Warner Robins High School in 1967. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in real estate and urban development in 1971.

Then he went to Officer Training School in 1972 and served in the United States Air Force until 1978.

He returned to Warner Robins in 2007 after leaving the area in 1980, he said.

“I lived in a lot of different places to advance my career,” he said. “I’ve moved various places all over the Midwest.”

He lived in Columbus, Ohio, for five years, before returning to Warner Robins with his wife, Jodi, in part to spend time with his grandchild: Kaitlyn, 5 — and another due in November.

“My primary reason for moving back is to see my grandchildren grow up and to once again be a part of this city,” Daley wrote in a document e-mailed to The Telegraph titled “Council Priorities.”

Now that he is back in Middle Georgia, he wants to run for office, he said.

“I owe a whole lot to this community and I’m just trying to give back,” he said.

Daley has ties to Robins Air Force Base.

His mother retired from the base in 1975. His oldest son, Michael, and his daughter-in-law work on the base.

“I owe a lot to this city and Robins AFB for my upbringing and I would love to give a portion of that back,” he wrote.

The current office holder, Havrilla, said he does not plan on making an endorsement in the race. Havrilla said he would not offer a position on Daley beyond “I’ve heard that name.”

“I’m kind of a has-been,” Havrilla said. “I’m making my exit.”

“I think it will be up to the people of Warner Robins who will be good candidates and who they want to vote for,” he said.

To contact writer Eric Newcomer, call 744-4494.