With a daily routine that included pumping water from the family well and chopping wood for heat and cooking, early life was full of chores that have been relegated to obscurity by the modern conveniences of today.

On Monday, Wallin accepted his newest challenge when he was sworn in as Brainerd's 40th mayor.

Following an ongoing dialogue with then city council member Mary Koep, Wallin entered city politics 21 years ago in a simple effort to get a stop sign placed in front of his house.

"She told me that there was an election coming up, and if I really wanted to see something done, I should run for office," he said. "And if I didn't win, then I could call her again."

He said that despite hesitance to give up time with his four children who were each under the age of 10 at the time, he sought the office and easily won election to the council on his first try.

In the years since 1978, Wallin climbed the city political ladder to the council presidency which he held for the past 10 years.

When Bonnie Cumberland surprised the city by announcing that she did not plan to seek re-election, a network of friends encouraged him to seek the post.

"I knew it was time for a change," he said. "If Bonnie had decided to run again, I don't know what I might have done."

But with Cumberland, a woman he described as, "intelligent, funny and generally a joy to work with," stepping aside, Wallin seized the opportunity.

Cumberland said earlier this week she has offered Wallin any assistance she may be able to provide, but said that Wallin's years of public service will make the transition between mayors seem flawless.

"The public can't ask for anything more than a person who is honest and heartfelt in their actions and deeds, and in James Wallin we will have that," she said. "He is wonderful, very sincere, and I know that he will try and try hard at everything he does."

Brainerd City Administrator Dan Vogt seconded Cumberland's assessment of the transition, and said that it is the simple things that separate Wallin from other politician he has known.

"I remember when I interviewed for this job, Wallin was the first person to come up and introduce himself," Vogt said. "He's always notices the little things and is never forgets to provide a pat on the back when one is due."

Wallin said he has no intention to make any major changes in how the city is governed, but said one thing he has already discussed with Baxter Mayor Gary Muehlhausen is the need for the two cities to work together. Wallin said plans are already in the works to get the two city councils to meet in a joint session to discuss shared concerns.

Other than that, Wallin said while he is not carrying a huge agenda into office with him, his goal will be to provide a positive image for the city.