Meet the Candidates: Tom McDaniel Says He's 'Pro-Birmingham'

The Nov. 8 election is drawing closer every day, but what do you really know about those names on the ballot?

Patch will interview candidates for the , the board and the during the ramp-up to the election, bringing you the stories behind the names and the issues they think are important for Birmingham.

For the Birmingham City Commission, incumbents George Dilgard, Tom McDaniel, Scott Moore and Mayor Gordon Rinschler are running against Doug Weaver, James Foxley, Steve Knox and Vicki Walsh for four spots.

The Oakland County League of Women Voters will hold a voters forum and meet-the-candidates night at 7:15 p.m. Oct. 12 at the for those running for City Commission.

Tom McDaniel

Age: 72

Family: McDaniel and his wife, Susan, have five children: Eric, David, Pete, Lisa and Christina.

Occupation: McDaniel is the retired vice president of Asian and Pacific operations at General Motors Corp.

Previous elected experience: If re-elected, this would be McDaniel's third term as city commissioner. In 2007, McDaniel served a one-year term as mayor. McDaniel is also a member of the Birmingham Youth Assistance's General Citizens Committee.

Why are you running?

According to McDaniel, this will probably be his last run for the Birmingham City Commission. If re-elected, he'll be 76 by the time his next term ends.

However, after eight years of working for Birmingham residents, McDaniel said he's confident he has one more term in him before he officially retires.

What do you bring to the City Commission?

After eight years on the City Commission, McDaniel said Birmingham residents know what to expect from him.

"I'm pro-resident, pro-business community and pro-Birmingham," he said.

McDaniel said his past experience on the commission, coupled with his professional background in finance, means he is able to easily grasp complex issues facing the city, such as the budget.

"I know how to read a budget," he said. "I don't need to spend a year learning — or starting over."

What issues are important to you?

For McDaniel, continuing to invest in the city's infrastructure is one of the most important issues faicng the commission in years to come. In years past, the Birmingham City Commission has led the renovation of Booth and Shain Park, as well as the replacement of bridges, sewers and water mains.

In addition, the city must pay attention to development and business interests in order to position the city for the future.

"We're now seeing the fruits of Julie Fielder's (the city's retail consultant) efforts," he said, referring to Fielder's efforts to recruit regional and national retailers to Birmingham's downtown. "We're in a good position going forward."

However, while several of Birmingham's businesses districts are healthy — such as the downtown and Rail District — the strip of businesses along Woodward south of Lincoln has been largely ignored. This, he said, needs to change in order to continue protecting the city's property values.

When it comes to regulating those businesses, McDaniel said he's in favor of a largely hands-off approach — particularly when it comes to the state's liquor license review process.

"I think the liquor laws are archaic and largely unncessary," he said. "I would prefer a free market."

Learn more

Check out Patch's profiles for all candidates running for the Birmingham City Commission: