Add one more to the Coos County commissioner candidate list.
Daniel Baumann, who also ran for Coos Bay City Council last year, said he wants to give the people a choice. Options for seat one, so far, are Sheriff Andy Jackson and now Baumann. Current Commissioner Kevin Stufflebean said he also intends to run, but hasn’t actually filed yet.
Daniel Baumann, candidate
“The board of commissioners has done a good job with what they have, which isn’t a lot,” Baumann said. “But I want to bring some different ideas to the table.”
The 40-year-old thinks his relatively young age and having no background in politics or government will give him a fresh perspective.
“Like anything else, I think my age could be used against me or for me,” Baumann said.
First thing on his agenda, more jobs.
“I don’t see certain entities doing anything to create more jobs,” he said.
Although he first opposed it for safety reasons, Baumann said he now believes developing a liquefied natural gas terminal at Coos Bay might ease high unemployment rates.
“I understand there is risk,” he said. “But there is always risk in life.”
The father of two is a part-time cook at Bar Wench in North Bend. He said the job has helped him hone his people skills, which will be an asset in developing the county’s communications and bringing new businesses to the area. Baumann moved to Coos Bay from the San Francisco area in 1995.
Baumann also wants to see public safety revved up, but not through extra taxes.
He thinks applying for grants through the U.S. Department of Justice could be one option for funding extra patrol and corrections deputies.
“Those that should be incarcerated should stay there,” Baumann said. “They shouldn’t just be set free.”
In the Coos Bay City Council race, Baumann ran against Stephen Pickering and a handful of others. Pickering is now running for Commissioner Nikki Whitty’s seat along with Don Van Dyke of North Bend. Whitty has not filed with the election’s office either, but said she doesn’t see why she wouldn’t.
There is still plenty of time for more names to be added to the lists. Candidates have until March 9 to file for the May election.
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