District Convention and Straw Poll Set For Feb. 9th

The District 11 District Convention and Presidential Straw Poll Vote will be Saturday, February 9th, 2008. This is to accommodate a timely voting and counting of the straw poll which chooses which presidential candidate our delegates will support for state and national conventions. The registration fee will be $35 for the district convention but there is no charge for the straw poll. The location and time is yet to be worked out but will be posted by December 15th. For more information call District 11 chairman, Todd Larkin, at 388-8633.

Jeannette James Potluck

Over seventy people showed up to Jeannette's Potluck. The variety of food was as versatile as the makeup of the crowd. But the crowd had one thing in common. They were gathered to say goodbye to a good friend, Jeannette James. Many commented that Jeannette's husband deserved much praise for sharing Jeannette with Alaska for 32 years. His support behind the scenes made it possible for Jeannette to serve in the legislature for ten years and serve the governor as a railroad consultant for four years.

Jeannette was presented a plaque by Representative John Coghill on behalf of the Interior Alaska Republicans for her years of devotion and volunteer work for the Republican Party. Jeannette was raised a Democrat but said watching a third generation of welfare working the system and watching environmentalists blocking development of natural resources that could create jobs convinced her the Democrats were out of touch with her philosophy.

Roger Burgraff tells attendees how Jeannette was a warrior was the mining industry and for natural resource development. Half a dozen people at the picnic shared their stories about Jeannette and how she touched their lives.

Jeannette said when her and Jim came to Alaska they settled in Anchorage. She was an accountant and a client flew her to Fairbanks to help him with a case. She said she met more friends in two days in Fairbanks then she had met in a year living in Anchorage. She and Jim moved to Fairbanks soon afterwards.

Ladd McBride laughs at his own joke as he tells the crowd Jeannette's work ethics constantly reminded him of the value of hardwork. Because of that he buys his wife, Shirley, a new broom every Christmas.

Former legislative aide for Jeannette, Barbara Cotting, told of her experience the second year she went to Juneau for Jeannette. Jeannette told her she was going to sponsor a bill to enact a concealed carry law. Barbara said she didn't even know what that meant. When she found out she thought "I don't even like guns." But she said she likes people who own guns so said she would carry the bill. She said the Alaska State Troopers sent a squad car to pick up Jeannette and Barbara for a meeting with the Commissioner of Public Safety. The ride and the interrogation by three top public safety officials didn't intimidate Jeannette, in fact. it fueled her passion for getting the law passed.

Ralph Seekins presented Jeannette with a bust of George Washington on behalf of the National Rifle Association for her suuport for the Second Amendment.

Dick Bishop from the Alaska Outdoor Council presented Jeannette and Jim with lifetime memberships to the Alaska Outdoor Council for their contributions to guns rights and to the rights of all Alaskans to have access to Alaska's fish and game. He said Jeannette was not the stereotype for fighting for the Second Amendment which made it tough for the opposition.

The grande finale of the evening was a complete surprise to Jeannette. A former legislative aide for Jeannette arrived with three other members of the Sweet Adelines who are a quartet called the "Velvets" to serenade Jeannette and Jim. They were a delight to the entire crowd. The Velvets will be completing at the national finals in Washington next March and shared one of the songs they will be singing in the finals.

The performance by Velvet brought a smile to everyone's faces.

Pat Fink and Jim James listen to Jeannette talking about her 32 years in Alaska. She said there will never be a better place to live than Fairbanks.

North Pole Mayor's 1st Labor Day Picnic

1st Annual North Pole Mayor's Labor Day Picnic

!!!!!!!! NON-POLITICAL FUN !!!!!!!!

Terry Miller Memorial Park
5th Avenue & Santa Claus Lane

Sept. 3rd

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mayor Doug Isaacson is going all out for his 1st Annual North Pole Mayor's Labor Day Picnic. Free hot dogs and hamburgers for all!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND there are lots of fabulous door prizes to be given away by Mr. and Mrs. Santa. AND the North Pole High School Boosters Club will have a booth to sell raffle tickets and other fundraising items. AND there will be a horse shoe tournament. AND all the local city and borough candidates have been invited.

Jeannette James to Leave Alaska

After more than thirty years of living in Alaska, Jeannette Jame and her husband, Jim, are moving south to Oregon. The Fairbanks Republican Women and District 11 Alaska Republican Party have asked Ralph and Connie Seekins to open up their home to friends of Jeannette and Jim for a farewell potluck and give everyone a chance to say goodbye.

The potluck will be held September 7th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Seekins Home. We will post a map at a later date.

Jeannette grew up on a farm in Iowa, where she learned the values of hard work and honesty that would later define her career in the Alaska Legislature. Mrs. James always treated everybody with equal respect and fairness.

In 1948, Jeannette met and married her husband, Jim. Together, they have raised three children and nineteen foster children. Now Jeannette is the proud grandmother of four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and numerous foster grandchildren. In February 2007, Jeannette and Jim celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.

In 1975, after their family was all grown, Jim and Jeannette decided to embark on a brand new adventure. They packed up and moved to Alaska. In North Pole, Jeannette and Jim owned and operated a motel, and Jeannette opened an accounting and business-consulting firm. Jeannette remains an active member of her community. She volunteers her time for many organizations, boards, and service projects.

In 1993, Jeannette was elected as a member of the Alaska House of Representatives, where she served for ten years. Notable legislation she authored and passed includes: Concealed Handgun permits, Landlord Tenant reform, Regulation reform, Fairbanks-Nome Railroad corridor, and the Alaska public building fund.

She served as Chair of the House State Affairs Committee for six years, and as the House Majority Leader for two years.

After leaving the legislature, Jeannette was appointed by Governor Murkowski as an advisor for the Alaska Canada Railroad link and she served in that capacity for nearly four years. She also recently served as President of the Fairbanks Republican Women's Club and the North Pole Rotary.