NIOBRARA COUNTY – Joe McDaniel is no stranger to hard work and perseverance. McDaniel has begun his campaign for a four-year term open seat as a Niobrara County Commissioner.

McDaniel has been a 20-year resident of Niobrara County and 12 years ago he started his own business, Windy Hill Construction. Windy Hill Construction is a company that help lays fiber optics and cable all over the state of Wyoming.

McDaniel decided to run this year for commissioner because he felt that it was time to do even more for Niobrara County.

“I have a friend, John Midkiff, who is wanting to step down,” McDaniel said. “And I’ve always been told if you’re not part of the process then you aren’t really doing your job. You can’t complain about it if you’re not willing to take action.”

Issues that he feels passionately about is the green movement with wind, solar and even nucellar energy companies that are becoming more popular alternative energies within Wyoming. “You know we’ve got a lot of the wind generation that is moving in here and I’ve heard talk of some solar projects. I’m not a big fan of the wind or solar generation. If they are done right and put into the right places, I think it is a great thing,” McDaniel told the Herald. “I just don’t think that it is a more profitable thing and I think it is more of an eye sore.”

McDaniel would rather see more energy projects that use nuclear power than wind and solar alternatives. “I just think that nuclear power is a proven source of electricity and it is a cleaner option than wind and solar,” McDaniel said. “It doesn’t tear up the land or leave a carbon footprint like wind and solar.”

According to McDaniel he would rather see the land stay at its natural state without affecting the ecology with the destruction of prairies and affecting wildlife.

McDaniel has been helping set up and tear down the set of Legend of Rawhide since first moving to Niobrara County. McDaniel has even performed as the character of George in the Legend of Rawhide pageant over the years too. He is also a member of the American Legion.

Supporting the community in various ways throughout the years has been one of McDaniel’s ways in giving back. He has sponsored things such as the Lusk-Niobrara Ambulance Service and whenever things arise, he is more than willing to help.

“Other than supporting things in the community we lend our support to anyone that is in need of help,” McDaniel said. “We support many things within the community and we try to donate our time and support others.”

McDaniel will have an open-door policy and is willing to listen to anyone that would like to speak to him if he is elected. “I’m just happy to serve the community and if anyone ever wants or needs to talk to me, I am here to listen to them,” McDaniel told the Herald.