BRADENTON -- Donna Hayes, the Manatee County Commissioner who represents District 5 (East County and Lakewood Ranch) has announced she will not be a candidate for the board when her second term ends in November 2012.
At least two candidates have announced their intention to seek her seat next year.
In an interview with The Bradenton Times, she said her greatest achievement was helping to ensure the the continued prosperity of Lakewood Ranch, its schools and six colleges, and the growth of the University Parkway area near I-75, in spite of a historic recession,
Her most important goal as a commissioner before she retires?
"Jobs, jobs, jobs," she said.
Hayes, who had filed for re-election, was chairwoman of the Manatee County Board of Commissioners in 2010. She also chaired the Civic Center Authority in 2006, and served as the First Vice-Chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority in 2009.
A native of the Pittsburgh suburb of North Hills, she attended of Juniata College and the University of Pittsburgh and American College, where she received her Chartered Life Underwriter. She moved to Manatee County in 1980 and founded Hayes Gailey Insurance. She lost her husband, Terry, in 2006.
From 1994 to 2004, she was Chairman of the Manatee County Republican Executive Committee, and also served as an Executive Board Member of the Southwest Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America, among many other civic interests.
She is an avid golfer who enjoys reading, politics and travel.
Comments
No comments on this item
Only paid subscribers can comment
Please log in to comment by clicking here.