Email: jenny.whalen@patch.com
Phone: (586) 764-3791
Hometown: Clinton Township, Mich.
Birthday: May 6
Bio: It was shortly after I finished off the classics shelf at the Cherokee Elementary library that I realized I wanted to write. However, writing became more of a hobby during school and upon graduation from Chippewa Valley High School I was off to John Carrol University to study international relations and communications. By October of my freshman year I realized I preferred writing about politics to being involved with them and transferred to Grand Valley State University where I completed my education with bachelor's degrees in journalism and German. While at GVSU I also worked as editor-in-chief of the university newspaper and managed to snag a few Michigan Press Association awards along the way. I interned briefly with Ruth Spencer and Dr. Frank McGeorge at Local 4 News and joined Patch in October 2010. There are three things you need to know about me: one, I love to travel and by the grace of my parents' frequent flier miles have fallen in love with Europe; two, old movies are my passion and by old I mean anything prior to 1965; and three, I am a closet Oscar-winning actress and take great pride in showcasing my abilities before unsuspecting strangers … you could be next. Finally, I love people and believe everyone has a story, so don't be shy, tell me yours!

Your Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.

Politics
I believe the film "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" accurately sums up my political beliefs.

"Liberty is too precious a thing to be buried in books. (People) should hold it up in front of them every single day of their lives and say, I'm free, to think and to speak. My ancestors couldn't. I can and my children will." – Jefferson Smith, portrayed by Jimmy Stewart  

There is not one label that speaks for me. Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, my opinion is my own and I cherish my constitutional right to express it.

Religion
I was raised Roman Catholic and derive strength in my personal life from my faith and family. However, I believe every person has the right to worship as they wish. It is only when individuals or groups use religion as justification to harm or suppress the rights of others that my feathers get ruffled.  

Local Hot-Button Issues
Macomb Township is primarily residential and so its main concerns are those of home and family. The economic downturn hit Macomb's housing market hard and although market values are slowly increasing, property values and township development are topics important to Macomb homeowners. Macomb is also home to several public and private school districts and parents have a right to know what their child's education entails.

Clinton Township has a little bit of everything. It has thousands of businesses, from mom and pop stores to industrial centers, and dozens of major thoroughfares. With almost 100,000 people, concerns range from local education to water rate increases and public safety.