My Bio
Like many Alaskans, I arrived from another place with a dream and stayed. That other place was Iowa, where I received a solid education instilled with hard-working Midwestern values. I enlisted in the Air Force to help pay for college and to understand why we were fighting in Vietnam. The Air Force brought me to Alaska as an aircraft mechanic at Elmendorf AFB. I worked my way through UAA and then graduated with a veterinary degree from Colorado State in 1988. I have been working and living in North Pole ever since. My life is currently complete with 4 dogs, a pig named Jimmy, and a rooster named Jerry (all rescues). I still see patients at my holistic veterinary practice, Raven Veterinary Services. I also offer my professional skills to local and rural spay/neuter groups.
Like most of you, there's lots more to my life’s story: travels, volunteering, local and national activism and advocacy, serving on various boards and committees. Life experiences that instill wisdom that I will use to guide policy decisions. As a small business owner, I ask what is working well or what is not, and why. That is a wise approach towards pretty much everything in life.
At the age of 70 I am a bit more careful when working on ladders but look forward to helping guide our Community towards a healthier future as an Assembly Member, using the wisdom I've gathered from all of those life experiences.
My campaign, Jeanne Olson for Assembly, embodies many of my values, like using repurposed yard signs from my 2016 State House campaign. Those signs are a bit weathered, but are a low carbon option to creating new signs. You won’t be receiving bulk mailings or robocalls from me, nor will you hear ads on the radio. Look for me throughout September during drive times at various traffic intersections. I won’t have a Facebook or Instagram account. So, I'm counting on you to post photos or forward information to your social media friends. If you are moved to volunteer in any way, please contact me.
I will be holding FriendRaisers rather than Fundraisers throughout September. Why? Because I am encouraging you to donate to local non-profits, who are really really struggling now, rather than to my campaign. Look for my Community Perspective about money and campaigns this month in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
I am not endorsed by either the main political parties or the unions. I think that the two party system is flawed and no longer able to move our country forward. I am offering an alternative choice to FNSB’s voters.
For more detailed information about the election on Tuesday, October 7th, 2025, visit FNSB.gov/elections.
My Key Issues
The Big Picture
“It’s Up To Us!” That’s my campaign slogan because it is how we can address nearly every issue that is important in our lives. Taking responsibility, paying attention, being vigilant and being involved takes time and work but it is essential for democracy. We have become complacent and rely on government to carry most of the load instead of sharing it. Government has been happy to do that, but there is no free lunch. I believe there are three V’s: Vote. Vigilance. Volunteer. We should also ask “What is working well and what isn’t? And, why?” Employing critical thinking for every issue requires listening to all sides, remaining open-minded, and utilizing common sense options.
Economy
Our economy is very dependent upon public jobs and funding from federal, state and local resources. The federal cuts ripple down and affect everyone. A thriving and durable Community can endure these ebbs and flows – we get that by encouraging local business startups and independent tourism. When corporate decisions close local stores or limit inventory, our Community is left with empty shelves and empty buildings and no alternatives. Shop Local! The University supports the economy through grants, faculty and student presence, and arctic research. University research funding enhances our economy five-fold. Now, grants cannot be taken for granted, and foreign students are choosing other places. The University is vital to our future and the FNSB should continue to support it. Responsible development of our resources with consensus from the Citizens who must live with the consequences is how our Community should approach oil, gas, fishing, timber, minerals, farming and tourism.
Cost of Living
People are leaving the community because they can no longer afford to live here… 1. Property taxes are something elected Assembly officials can influence by determining the annual mil rate. But, if your assessed property value increases, your tax bill will increase, even if the mil rate remains the same. That is why FNSB residents voted 2:1 to keep the tax cap. 2. Energy costs continue to increase. Burning more wood, converting to natural gas and hauling fuel oil in portable containers are examples of how our Community is responding to this challenge. We can help by ensuring dry wood is available at an affordable price – this is both practical and relatively low-cost to support. The gas pipeline has been a “pipeline dream” for decades with many promises and failures to deliver, all consuming lots of public money. I support the gas pipeline and will join the team to ensure it is finally built. 3. Housing shortages drive the cost of renting or buying due to simple supply and demand. Builders aren’t creating more homes due to the high cost of supplies and labor. 4. Building concepts emphasizing energy efficiency, micro city concepts and incentivizing smaller footprints which are more environmentally friendly should all be part of our future.
Education
We need to provide adequate funding for the future: our children. Everyone agrees that our current system isn’t working well and likely even unlimited funding could not “fix it.” Schools are failing nation-wide, and maybe it is because we haven’t adapted to the rapid changes in our culture and way of learning. What is working well and what isn’t? Why? What is necessary and what isn't? Can Community volunteers help?
Clean Energy
Diversified and affordable energy includes solar, wind, geothermal, natural gas and wood. Outside the box thinkers and inventors are helping lead the way and I support them.
Healthy Families
Clean air, water and soils. Food security. Access to affordable, available and quality health care. Affordable and decent housing especially for seniors and low-income families. How do we incentivize these utilizing the private sector’s knowledge and skills with minimal government involvement? I believe that trails and other public recreation options are actually a need rather than a want that enhance our well-being. Mary Siah and Joy Community Center are examples of this and we should explore options to keep them open as primarily recreational areas. Sharing trails and respecting that not all trails can support every form of recreational use is an issue that needs to be addressed. Let’s ask what is working well, what isn’t and why?
Government
I support wise and prudent funding of essential services. We accomplish this by evaluating Borough expenditures and funding “needs” not “wants.” We need to discourage departments from thinking they need to spend their budget or they will face a reduced budget in the future. Rather, we need to incentivize and reward frugality. Further, we need to encourage using Community volunteers that work alongside employees to enhance the services provided by the Borough.
Animals
We need to work alongside the troopers and enforce current animal cruelty laws to provide voice to the voiceless. We are blessed by many non-profit rescue groups who provide options for homeless animals and keep them from entering the Borough’s costly system and we need to support them. The #1 reason that animals are relinquished is because families are moving and cannot find a place to live that allows animals. Landlord/tenant rules should be explored. We need to better utilize volunteers to socialize animals in the shelter. Let’s revisit the proposed animal control new construction plans employing practical and prudent options. We should also address the current policy of not allowing owners to be present when their animal is euthanized at the shelter.
Trash, Recycling, and Pollution
The transfer sites are a blessing and a curse for everyone. I am not sure quite how, but there needs to be a better and acceptable way to manage this. Are there other ways to recycle? How can we allow people to save and accumulate stuff without becoming a junkyard problem? How do we handle backyard mosquito sprays, Glycophophates, PFOS in our food chain. Should the Borough get involved? We need to be asking questions and listening to people on the ground with ideas.
Send Me a Message
Have questions or suggestions? I would love to hear from you!
Campaign Headquarters
1890 Hollowell Rd, North Pole, AK 99705, USA