Cook County is a place many people love to visit. Lake Superior, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, camping, hiking, biking – all recreation activities that draw people to our county.
People who choose to live here are often attracted to this county for these same reasons. Most often families who choose to stay here do so because they want to provide a “quality of life” or lifestyle choice for themselves and their children. Long driving distances for commuting, lower wages, higher living costs and fewer local opportunities for our families make it hard for young people to stay. As an aging community, we need them to stay.
Over the years I have worked with numerous community groups as well as city, school and county governments to address building a playground, upgrading a ball field, adding an ice rink and a skateboard park. My goal has always been to support our local families and their children by providing positive, fun and educational activities that will strengthen their families. Families need to know that we all care and support them through our actions together as a community.
I supported the 1% funding for the current user groups that use the Cook County Community Center and to address better support systems and infrastructure for other user groups in our county. I may not personally use any of these systems. However, I strongly believe that if we are to build community here we need to support the smallest unit of our community—the individual family. Each family unit, whether it be one person, or ten people becomes stronger when they participate in groups, clubs, and other community activities. A community center that offers more opportunities for this to happen can only bridge gaps, create bonds, and hopefully make us a stronger and more vital community. That is my wish for Cook County.
Diane Booth
Lutsen
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