Jerret Wright
Name: Jerret Wright
Public Office Sought: Cottage Grove City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 763-898-2568
Website: www.jerretwright.com
Facebook: Jerret Wright For City Council
Candidate Bio
My name is Jerret, and I am proud to call Cottage Grove my home. I am a Veteran, serving combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a United States Marine. I continue to serve this great nation as an Infantry Officer in the Minnesota National Guard. I have held many titles such as Marine, Soldier and Firefighter, however none makes me as proud as that of a devout husband and father. I am running for city council because I want to be a Warrior Advocate for all residents of Cottage Grove! Cottage Grove is truly a beautiful, amazing city with even better citizens. We have seen good things come to our city, yet we still face our unique challenges. I ask that you put your trust in me by voting for me in November.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Cottage Grove?
Cottage Grove is thankfully experiencing a great deal of growth in business. It is a joy to see these buildings once vacant are now being put to use. I would continue this climate as city councilman.
2. What role do you think the City should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to, and retain existing businesses in, Cottage Grove?
I believe Cottage Grove should do all it can within legal bounds to attract new business to our city. My goal is to make Cottage Grove stand out even more than it already does. To do this, I would look into adding more tax incentives under the Business Subsidy Policy and lower taxes to attract new business and retain our current business.
3. Would you support hiring a business advocate as a member of the city senior staff, to concentrate on business retention and expansion; new business recruitment; and business impact of proposed regulations on the business climate in Cottage Grove?
If it were practical to do so, yes.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Cottage Grove? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Cottage Grove and do you support proposals to mitigate the effects on businesses like a tip credit, a youth wage, a training wage, and/or a phase-in?
I do not support raising the minimum wage rate. Many would argue from an emotional standpoint that this hurts people further, when in reality not raising the rate protects them against rising costs of goods and services. The difference from the state’s current $9.65 for larger companies to a proposed 15 dollars an hour will only get passed off in that business’ product or service. There’s a reason why some fast food places are investing in ordering machines, not hiring more staff ready to work hard for their money.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Cottage Grove (such as mandatory sick time or scheduling notice)? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Cottage Grove and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I am not a fan of imposing more restrictions on a business than needed. If something like this is needed to protect employees and it became a widespread issue in our city then I am open to addressing it then. Sometimes a blanket solution is not a good solution for some.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
As city councilman I would be the staunchest Warrior Advocate within the city for our police, firefighters and EMS. I am a 15 year military member and a former firefighter, so this is my group of people! The best way to support them and address public safety concerns is to make sure they have the basic equipment and funding needed to operate and be successful. These heroes need to know they have our support…and they will.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
My priority is to not only keep the budget as balanced as possible, but to make sure what we use the budget for is what the citizens want to use it for…things and issues that truly benefit them.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
I believe they both need to be at an attractive enough rate to draw businesses and homeowners to the greatest city in Washington County.
9. What will you do to expand Cottage Grove’s tax base?
To expand the tax base we have to grow the residential and business population. This involves giving people incentive to come here in the first place. I would push to lower taxes at a lower rate than our surrounding cities. Lets give them a reason to choose Cottage Grove over any other city.
Workforce development
10. How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
Our educators need to know the city supports and appreciates what they do for our children. I would advocate for partnerships with businesses in the community that allow for a vocational integration between students and business. We are realistically preparing and equipping students to become productive members of society so anything we can do to prepare them in this way would be beneficial for all.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Cottage Grove Public Schools?
We need to first and foremost make sure our schools are safe to attend so our students can get the good education our schools offer. Our local law enforcement already does a remarkable job protecting our kids. I have a son in middle school and a daughter in high school in Cottage Grove, so I have skin in the game on this issue.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
I think Cottage Grove is getting better at attracting business. One issue I want to delve into more is the PFC contamination in the drinking water. I want to know that the resulting actions from the recent 3M lawsuit are actually working to improve our water. The safety of our population is my priority and I mean that with all of my heart.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Be a good and worthy steward of the budget, listen to Cottage Grove citizens and be attuned to them, Support our heroes in the police, fire and EMS field.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Top priority should be repairing some local roads that do need attention. I would also look into an alternate major roadway across the Mississippi River besides the Wakota Bridge to neighboring cities to alleviate traffic. The intent would be to give more options than the 494 or heading all the way down to the 55. I would want to make sure this didn’t have a negative impact on residents.
15. Are there any services currently provided by the city that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Or, are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
Not at this time.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I am a man of determination and focus. When I commit to something I go full in…there is no middle ground. When I say I will be a Warrior Advocate for the people of Cottage Grove, that isn’t fluff. I always rise to a challenge with unrelenting drive and I intend to do just that as city councilman on behalf of you. Those who know me know my heart, and my dedication to being a man of my word. I am the proven leader they say I am, and I ask for your trust this November 6th. Thank you!
Public Office Sought: Cottage Grove City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 763-898-2568
Website: www.jerretwright.com
Facebook: Jerret Wright For City Council
Candidate Bio
My name is Jerret, and I am proud to call Cottage Grove my home. I am a Veteran, serving combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a United States Marine. I continue to serve this great nation as an Infantry Officer in the Minnesota National Guard. I have held many titles such as Marine, Soldier and Firefighter, however none makes me as proud as that of a devout husband and father. I am running for city council because I want to be a Warrior Advocate for all residents of Cottage Grove! Cottage Grove is truly a beautiful, amazing city with even better citizens. We have seen good things come to our city, yet we still face our unique challenges. I ask that you put your trust in me by voting for me in November.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Cottage Grove?
Cottage Grove is thankfully experiencing a great deal of growth in business. It is a joy to see these buildings once vacant are now being put to use. I would continue this climate as city councilman.
2. What role do you think the City should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to, and retain existing businesses in, Cottage Grove?
I believe Cottage Grove should do all it can within legal bounds to attract new business to our city. My goal is to make Cottage Grove stand out even more than it already does. To do this, I would look into adding more tax incentives under the Business Subsidy Policy and lower taxes to attract new business and retain our current business.
3. Would you support hiring a business advocate as a member of the city senior staff, to concentrate on business retention and expansion; new business recruitment; and business impact of proposed regulations on the business climate in Cottage Grove?
If it were practical to do so, yes.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Cottage Grove? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Cottage Grove and do you support proposals to mitigate the effects on businesses like a tip credit, a youth wage, a training wage, and/or a phase-in?
I do not support raising the minimum wage rate. Many would argue from an emotional standpoint that this hurts people further, when in reality not raising the rate protects them against rising costs of goods and services. The difference from the state’s current $9.65 for larger companies to a proposed 15 dollars an hour will only get passed off in that business’ product or service. There’s a reason why some fast food places are investing in ordering machines, not hiring more staff ready to work hard for their money.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Cottage Grove (such as mandatory sick time or scheduling notice)? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Cottage Grove and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I am not a fan of imposing more restrictions on a business than needed. If something like this is needed to protect employees and it became a widespread issue in our city then I am open to addressing it then. Sometimes a blanket solution is not a good solution for some.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
As city councilman I would be the staunchest Warrior Advocate within the city for our police, firefighters and EMS. I am a 15 year military member and a former firefighter, so this is my group of people! The best way to support them and address public safety concerns is to make sure they have the basic equipment and funding needed to operate and be successful. These heroes need to know they have our support…and they will.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
My priority is to not only keep the budget as balanced as possible, but to make sure what we use the budget for is what the citizens want to use it for…things and issues that truly benefit them.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
I believe they both need to be at an attractive enough rate to draw businesses and homeowners to the greatest city in Washington County.
9. What will you do to expand Cottage Grove’s tax base?
To expand the tax base we have to grow the residential and business population. This involves giving people incentive to come here in the first place. I would push to lower taxes at a lower rate than our surrounding cities. Lets give them a reason to choose Cottage Grove over any other city.
Workforce development
10. How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
Our educators need to know the city supports and appreciates what they do for our children. I would advocate for partnerships with businesses in the community that allow for a vocational integration between students and business. We are realistically preparing and equipping students to become productive members of society so anything we can do to prepare them in this way would be beneficial for all.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Cottage Grove Public Schools?
We need to first and foremost make sure our schools are safe to attend so our students can get the good education our schools offer. Our local law enforcement already does a remarkable job protecting our kids. I have a son in middle school and a daughter in high school in Cottage Grove, so I have skin in the game on this issue.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
I think Cottage Grove is getting better at attracting business. One issue I want to delve into more is the PFC contamination in the drinking water. I want to know that the resulting actions from the recent 3M lawsuit are actually working to improve our water. The safety of our population is my priority and I mean that with all of my heart.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Be a good and worthy steward of the budget, listen to Cottage Grove citizens and be attuned to them, Support our heroes in the police, fire and EMS field.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Top priority should be repairing some local roads that do need attention. I would also look into an alternate major roadway across the Mississippi River besides the Wakota Bridge to neighboring cities to alleviate traffic. The intent would be to give more options than the 494 or heading all the way down to the 55. I would want to make sure this didn’t have a negative impact on residents.
15. Are there any services currently provided by the city that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Or, are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
Not at this time.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I am a man of determination and focus. When I commit to something I go full in…there is no middle ground. When I say I will be a Warrior Advocate for the people of Cottage Grove, that isn’t fluff. I always rise to a challenge with unrelenting drive and I intend to do just that as city councilman on behalf of you. Those who know me know my heart, and my dedication to being a man of my word. I am the proven leader they say I am, and I ask for your trust this November 6th. Thank you!