Hi, I'm Trevor White!
And I am Running For Ferguson Township Supervisor
My Background
I grew up in Germantown, MD, just outside of D.C. When I was 18, I joined the Marine Corps where I served as a Meteorologist for just over 8 years. I met my wife, Tracie, while we were both stationed in Camp Lejeune, NC. We left NC in 2021, and moved to Centre County to attend Penn State. We bought a home in Ferguson Township shortly after moving here, a life goal that seems increasingly unobtainable for people of our generation. Tracie and I have found a community and a home in Ferguson Township that we strongly believe in, and want to advocate for in whatever capacity possible.
How My Background Shaped My Perspective
As a meteorologist, I came to understand that weather and climate touches every aspect of our lives. Since weather touches every aspect of our lives, it can also effect policy in various ways. After I finished serving my country, I decided to get a degree in meteorology to continue my career of public service. When we moved here, I had ambitions of being a forecaster and continuing to serve my community. However, my passion for learning led me to get another degree in economics, which shaped how I viewed weather and climate interacting with policy. Specifically, I began to understand that climate policy and economic efficiency can both be achieved at the same time with the right approach.
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Nowadays, it is difficult to ignore the realities of climate change. As such, I think it is of the utmost importance that local elected officials recognize the ways in which it will effect residents in the future, and begin working towards policies that strengthen our community's resilience in the face of such a challenge. Fortunately, weather and climate overlap with a variety of other policies. Policies that advocate for affordable housing can also put us in a better position to face the challenges that lie ahead. innovative transportation infrastructure can also reduce our reliance on volatile energy prices! But, all of these issues are centered around zoning.
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Many people will point out that housing is a supply issue, and zoning determines the rate at which housing supply can increase. There are many problems with zoning as it currently exists, not just locally, but nationally as well. By addressing the economic inefficiencies of current zoning restrictions, we can build a better community that is less exposed to changing energy prices, and contains more affordable housing for all! Over the years I have learned the many ways in which meteorology interacts with economics, policy, and even national security, and I plan to take this knowledge and continue my career of service in the pursuit of strengthening our community.
Why am I Running for Ferguson Township Supervisor?
Sustainable, Equitable, and Inclusive Development
At the core of any economy is the ability to provide its members with the bare necessities at minimum. When people go unfed or unhoused, it becomes extremely difficult for them to participate in the activities that grow and strengthen our community. This is why I believe it is the government’s role to ensure that its citizens have the opportunities to be active and contributing members of the community. What I bring to the table is a holistic mindset that seeks to capture the concerns of both Ferguson’s rural and agricultural residents in a way that works towards solutions for all.
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Creative and progressive approaches to zoning, ordinances, and budgets can create the guardrails for a system that is designed to work for all. Housing affordability, as well as the general cost of living, has become a topic of concern for many constituents, not just within Ferguson Township, but nationally as well. If residents are spending the bulk of their income on the bare necessities, then that leaves less room for economic growth and less opportunity for small businesses that have played a significant role in shaping our communities. Not only are current zoning models economically inefficient, but they also decrease our ability to operate independent of complex international supply chains, which exposes our township to significant fiscal and environmental risks. This is why I am focused on creating affordable housing, sustainable transportation infrastructure, and an economy that works for all rural and urban residents alike within Ferguson Township by closely examining zoning, ordinances, and budgetary items that shape our economic and community development.
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I believe that Ferguson Township is headed in the right general direction, and that these concerns are similarly shared, not just by our current Board of Supervisors, but the staff of Ferguson Township, and especially our fellow residents. There has been great work so far, and should I be elected to this position, it would be an honor to continue working towards the bright future that Ferguson has. From my beginnings as a public servant in the military, I have always believed in the importance of service. I intend to continue my career in public service by advocating for the needs of our community, and making it work towards a stronger and more resilient future, where everyone feels included and represented.
But Who Am I, As a Person?
My wife likes to make fun of me for all the hobbies that I have. I've always been an active person in some capacity. For a while, my passion was powerlifting, and I used to enjoy competing in my respective weight class. I enjoyed the methodical and quantitative approach that powerlifting required, but COVID-19 made it not really reasonable to continue that hobby. So, I got into triathlons for a little while since it required an equally methodical training regiment as powerlifting. When I'm not being active in some capacity, I enjoy making things. I'm not the best woodworker, nor am I great at knitting, but I certainly enjoy sitting down and working on a long term project with something I can use at the end of it. I've made a few scarfs, a chicken coop, and some doohickeys, but I've got a lot to learn, and plenty of years ahead of me to do so!
I am a huge fan of animals, and nature in general. We have three dogs, three cats, and six chickens. Going on walks with our dogs, and taking them to Tudek Dog Park when the weather is nice, is the highlight of our day. Our chickens help cleanup our garden when its not growing season. We enjoy growing a plethora of fruits and vegetables in our yard and it's our dream to start a community garden!
But none of this would be possible without the love of my life, Tracie. We've been married for 5 years now, and I don't know where I'd be without her love and support. We've helped each other grow and develop into better versions of ourselves, and I am eternally grateful for her. In the short time we've been married, we've been through so much, good, bad, and mundane, but I wouldn't have wanted to experience it with anyone else but her!