Jaye White
Every week the Cook County News-Herald will introduce our readers to candidates who are running for Cook County commisisoner. This week it’s time to meet Jaye White.
Hello, Cook County! My name is Jaye White. I became a North Shore resident after moving with my family to Silver Bay in 1992. I grew up with the Superior National Forest as my backyard: fishing and swimming in area lakes and rivers, skiing at Lutsen Mountains, attending community events at the North House Folk School (back when it was just one building). It was a great way to grow up and something I would reflect back on later in life when it came time to choose where to settle down with my own family.
After graduating from the Perpich Center for Arts Education- Arts High School I decided to venture out to New York City where I attended the New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts. After graduating, I relocated to San Diego, California, for work. While living in San Diego I met my husband, Cody. After our wedding, we decided to relocate to Chico, California, so Cody could finish his college education. I decided then to return to college, myself, and pursue other interests outside of the entertainment industry.
My passion for politics grew out of my time in college in Chico. I became active on the speech and debate team and started working on non-partisan “get out the vote” programs on campus. During the 2012 election year, I participated in several on-campus political debates and learned the value of having your voice heard and how important it is to be active in the community to help facilitate change.
In 2013, I had my oldest child, Bear, while we were living in California. It was then that we decided to evaluate how and where we wanted to raise our family. After reflecting back on my childhood on the North Shore, we decided to move back to Minnesota to give our children a similar childhood to what I had. In August of 2014, we utilized my connections with the Duluth Area Family YMCA to secure positions at the Cook County Community YMCA and moved to Grand Marais.
We went through the struggle many young families go through when they first move to the community. Even with my local connections, things were challenging at first. Finding housing, finding good-paying jobs (we did eventually both leave the YMCA), and becoming involved in the community. All of these things fell into place over time as we strived to become active and involved.
Since moving to Grand Marais, we welcomed two more children into our family. Our daughter Calla was born in 2015 and Daisy was born in 2017. It was shortly after moving to Grand Marais that the North Shore Hospital announced the end to birth service offerings at the hospital, an issue that affected my family deeply as I was 30 weeks pregnant when this happened. I felt then and still feel now, that losing those services was a huge blow to this rural community. This is an issue that may prevent many families from moving to Cook County and has already seen the loss of several great families in the community who have had to leave over concerns related to the loss of these services. At a time when we need young families to help support our retiree community, this loss will affect us for years to come.
During these past few years, I have also joined the Boreal Community Media Board of Directors, started my own small business, and became a volunteer at WTIP Community Radio. I have also been following local elections and government closely since we moved here. I believe that my passion and education on the government process can benefit the Cook County Community.
Two years ago, I made the decision to run for County Commissioner in 2020. I have been preparing for the position by studying local government issues, becoming familiar with the current County Board of Commissioners, and getting involved whenever I can. And now, the time has come for the elections that will give me the opportunity to serve my community in a greater capacity.
I want to say that I respect and appreciate all of the work that Myron Bursheim has done for District 2 and Cook County these past four years. Myron also seems to have a passion for the position he currently holds. I respect him for this. But, I also feel that, at this time, what Cook County needs is someone with the understanding and appreciation of what new, young families relocating to the community go through, and someone who recognizes the need for more fiscal responsibility in regards to county spending and utilization of tax dollars.
We are in the midst of a global pandemic. One that is going to greatly affect our community in many ways, likely for years to come. One impact almost everyone will endure is the increased cost of living due to how the pandemic has affected our economy and supply chain. And, how it will likely soon cause increased pressure on our local healthcare system. These things will have a trickle effect that will be felt by all in Cook County.
With fewer tax dollars being collected from tourism and local spending due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will likely experience significant budget shortfalls. If current spending trends continue, there will be no other choice but to raise taxes on hard-working residents who already feel they are paying too much and their money is not being spent wisely. Many will find they can no longer afford to live in Cook County. In a place that is already difficult for a young, working-age family to move to and establish into, this is something we have to prevent. The pandemic will also affect our population nearing retirement age. Many wish to stay in Cook County but will struggle to do so on fixed incomes if current trends continue.
I also feel we need to reduce our reliance on a single industry and focus on diversifying our economy. In an age where many major tech companies are now allowing employees to work remotely indefinitely, there is no reason why Cook County can’t appeal to tech employees, and those in similar positions, looking for a quiet, safe community to raise their families and retire in. These are often higher income earners who will become home buyers and contribute greatly to the local economy. But we can only appeal to this group, and others like them, if we make Cook County more appealing than other places. If you can go anywhere, why come here? We can’t depend on the beauty of the area alone- we have to show responsibility in local government.
These are just some of the reasons why I want to run for County Commissioner. Cook County and Grand Marais are my communities now, the place and people I love and care about. I want to see my community thrive, even in the face of the ultimate adversary: COVID- 19. I feel we can. I feel that together we can make Cook County the welcoming haven for artists, entrepreneurs, young families, retirees, and more. It can be a place where those with the desire to do so can live and thrive comfortably, from a one-day-old infant to a 101-year-old senior. We can find ways to diversify our industries and have less reliance on a single industry, giving more opportunities to those who live here to find their passion and happiness.
I hope this has helped you get to know me a little better. And I know you probably have a lot of questions you want to ask. I’d love to answer! I can be reached at jayewhitecc@gmail.com or find my campaign page on Facebook “Jaye White for County Commissioner District 2”.
Leave a Reply