1. Tell us about yourself and what motivates you to become Mayor.
Karen Crane: I want to be mayor of Juneau because this is a critical time in Alaska’s history.
The state fiscal situation is going to impact every community and many of us personally. I
want to be part of the decision-making during this period to make sure that Juneau moves
forward, not back. I served on the Assembly from 2010 to 2016 and am aware of the many
issues facing the community. I was chair of the finance committee and know the city’s budget.
I helped steer state agencies through past state budget crunches so I know the challenges
ahead. I served on the Alaska Municipal League Board from 2010 to 2016 and as President in
2014. I know the issues facing municipalities across the state. I believe I have the leadership
skills to work with the community to make decisions based not just on the immediate pressure
but on the long term health of Juneau.
My father was in the Air Force and our family moved frequently when I was growing up. I went
to high school in Rome, attended the University of Maryland campus in Munich, and the
University of Madrid. I received my B.A. in History and a Masters in Library Science from
Indiana University. I accepted a library job in Fairbanks in 1979 and was promoted to Director
of Community Services, responsible for the library, parks and recreation, community research,
and public transit. I moved to Juneau in 1986 to serve as Director of the State’s Libraries,
Archives and Museums. There, I foresaw the need for a combined facility in Juneau and
acquired the land where the soon-to-open SLAM facility now sits. My husband and I
temporarily relocated to Florida in 2003 to take care of my ailing parents. I managed the family
business and later closed it down. Alaska was our home and we returned to Juneau in 2007.
Ken Koelsch: I grew up on a farm in Michigan and learned the value of hard work at an early
age. After graduating from Michigan State University, I applied for a teaching job in Juneau
and in 1968 was hired Bill Overstreet - who was school superintendent before he became
Mayor. In addition to teaching English, history and government classes at JDHS, I produced
and directed the annual school musical, advised the student councils, and served as
Athletic/Activity director, interacting with hundreds of students over the years. I served two
terms on the Juneau Assembly and was also deputy mayor. I also worked in law enforcement
for 22 years before retirement. Through teaching, public service on the Assembly and working
in law enforcement, I have interacted with all sides of our city. My wife Marian and I have two
grown children, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren in Juneau. We enjoy all our
community has to offer - including the arts, hiking, running, fishing, and bowling.
A favorite quote of mine by Edmund Burke, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good
men (and women) to do nothing”, is the foundation of my motivation to serve as mayor. My
family and I have benefited greatly from living here and I feel compelled to give back.
My campaign is about “uniting generations to move Juneau forward.” I am referring not only to
the generations of students I have taught or the generations of Juneau families we have gotten
to know in our almost 50 years here, but to the three generations of my family that live here. I
see clearly the needs of Juneau -- from childcare to senior care. My commitment as mayor will
be to address these needs for future generations. I will listen to what my fellow citizens say
and use their concerns, comments and information to help guide me in making decisions.
Their knowledge will help me be the mayor that “moves Juneau forward.”
2. Can you give an example of how you gained consensus to move a contentious issue
forward?
Ken Koelsch: The NOAA program at Auke Bay was outgrowing its facility, which was dated
and not adequate for its mission. There was movement underway to transfer the NOAA jobs
out of Juneau. I, along with other members of the Assembly, worked with our Congressional
and State delegations and NOAA to find a new site for the facility. We found land owned by a
private company at Lena Point. To save these NOAA jobs in Juneau, the Assembly had to
move quickly. Major obstacles were to secure the site and access to the site. For the Lena
neighborhood the main concern was the increased traffic on their lone access road and the
dialogue was sometimes contentious. We worked through several neighborhood meetings to
arrive at a consensus – to have the Assembly buy the property owned by SECON and turn it
over to NOAA to build a facility. SECON was allowed to use rock from their quarry at the point
to build a road through the center of Lena, which resulted in opening up CBJ land for building
lots. NOAA, with the help of Senator Ted Stevens and the Congressional delegation, secured
federal funding for a world class NOAA facility, land was opened up for subdivisions and
building lots and instead of only one road access, there are now two for Lena residents. I am
proud to have been part of this process but the successful outcome was because Juneau had
an Assembly that listened to its community. Unity moved the project moved to fruition.
Karen Crane: Every assembly consists of members holding a range of views, especially on
issues related to spending. Nevertheless, in every year I served as chair of the assembly’s
finance committee, I was able to secure a 9-0 or 8-1 approval vote on the budget. Another
example: the assembly was closely divided about whether to create an empowered board for
swimming pools or let the parks and recreation department maintain control. I originally
opposed the move because I wanted to give the new Parks and Recreation Director a year to
deal with the situation. But others were firmly fixed on the idea of an empowered board. A
member of the public met with me and suggested a compromise: an empowered board, but
the staff of the board reporting to the city manager. While not my preferred option, I saw this
could bring both sides together. I worked with Assembly members to pass this hybrid
approach. It appears to be working well and with both sides happy with the outcome.
3. Please indicate your position on the following 5 Juneau chamber priorities with a
Yes/No Response
Do you support the Juneau Access Road?
Crane No
Koelsch Yes
Do you support the West-Douglas Development?
Crane Yes
Koelsch Yes
Do you support a second Juneau-Douglas Crossing?
Crane Yes
Koelsch Yes
Do you support mining’s role in the economic future of Juneau? Crane Yes
Koelsch Yes
Do you support infrastructure development that promotes competitive transportation options of
goods and services to and from Juneau?
Crane Yes
Koelsch Yes
4. Juneau Access is among the highest priority for the Juneau Chamber of Commerce,
and a fully funded shovel ready project is awaiting the Governor’s decision. Explain
how you would advocate your position.
Ken Koelsch: As Mayor, I would have a dialogue with residents based on the reality of our
state’s budget. We must support the ferry system as we move forward on Juneau Access. I
believe the ferry system will be saved in Southeast Alaska because of the road. As such, the
collective statement our community makes about this project could impact our Capital City for
decades.
My support for Juneau Access is in part grounded in my public safety background and my very
clear memories of the events of 9/11. I look forward to sharing my reasons for supporting
construction of the road with fellow citizens, legislators, and the Administration along with
offering a perspective not often shared.
I also would ask those against this project to say what they are in favor of doing that would
meaningfully address the issues of frequent, convenient and affordable access that the road
would clearly provide.
Finally, I would involve in this conversation a group not often invited to the conversation – our
high school students – who will be the direct beneficiaries or victims of whatever actions we do
or do not take.
Karen Crane: This decision is now out of the hands of local government. It will be made by the
Governor and legislators from the interior. I don’t believe this is the time to highlight the divide
in Juneau on this issue. As Mayor, I would neither advocate for the road nor work against it. I
would advocate for the ferry system. A number of our southeast neighbors are not in favor of
the road, but they fully support a healthy ferry system. We rely on these neighbors for support
of Juneau as Alaska’s capital. The Chamber and other advocates can carry their message of
support for the road.
5. What are your plans and objectives to manage our local budget?
Karen Crane: Over the last four years the Assembly worked to prepare for the state’s fiscal
crisis, which we knew was just a matter of when. We cut the CBJ budget by $3.6 million, staff
was reduced, programs reorganized, and we increased revenues and the reserve fund. During
this period of reductions, schools were still funded to the cap and beyond. I expect further
reductions to the budget will be necessary, depending on pending legislative action. If the
legislature enacts measures this session the impact may not be as severe. Still, we need to
strengthen other sectors of our economy: fishing, tourism, mining, arts and culture, health care,
and higher education. We will gain additional revenues following the public vote on marijuana,
yet how much is still unknown at this point. The highest return on our investment as a
community comes from support of local business. We need to support these entrepreneurial
efforts and grow our economy.
Ken Koelsch: Presuming the price of oil remains low and cutbacks at the state continue, my
focus will be to do whatever it takes to lower the anxiety levels of our residents and our small
businesses by not raising property or sales taxes. I will work with City management and staff
to demonstrate to residents how the CBJ can lead by example – curtail non-essential
Assembly and staff travel, and do all we can to keep as many people working as possible. As
a former teacher’s union bargaining team member and past president of JEA, I would work
with CBJ unions to help keep as many people employed as possible.
6. What improvements do you expect the newly hired City Manager to bring?
Ken Koelsch: I have met with our next city manager and look forward to working very closely
with him. I would expect our manager to use his knowledge of CBJ policies and processes
and his extensive department head knowledge to identify efficiencies to be gained while
continuing to streamline services. Things he has successfully done in his current position, like
combining the engineering and public works department. Maintaining the most sustainable
levels of service possible without raising taxes or fees should be an expectation.
Karen Crane: I believe Kim Kiefer did an excellent job as city manager, experienced and
focused on public service. Rory has more technical experience and I expect for him to bring a
different set of analytic skills. The Assembly will task Rory to hold the line on the budget, be
accountable for his decisions, work closely with the Assembly, and be transparent about his
staff’s actions and decision-making. I expect decisions to be made with public service in mind.
7. How would you stimulate economic growth in Juneau and is the Juneau Economic
Development Plan a tool you would use?
Karen Crane: While we deal with the state fiscal downturn it is critical we pay attention to the
other sectors of the economy: fishing, tourism, mining, construction, higher education, health
care and retail. There are steps we can take to strengthen the fishing industry in Juneau, like
addressing their harbor concerns and restoring NOAA research jobs. We have paid attention
to tourism but more can be done: support for the Oceans Interpretive Center, continued work
on the sea walk, and other downtown improvements. There are programs to help local
entrepreneurs but we can do more to grow our economy. The arts has tremendous potential
for growth by better branding Juneau as a vibrant arts community. Our Economic Development
Plan is an excellent tool to use. Most importantly, this work cannot rest totally with CBJ. We
need to partner with people across the Borough to move forward, including the Chamber, the
trades, non-profits, university and others.
Ken Koelsch: We must work with what we have in place and build on our strengths.
Continuing to strengthen our downtown core through housing, parking, and providing essential
services is a prime example. We are fortunate to have our base of State government (and
federal and local) and the diversity of mining, fishing, tourism, and private business. We have
to further diversify our economy and support the generation of new ideas - the Ocean
Interpretive center for example. The gist of what is in the Juneau Economic Development Plan
– eight initiatives in the Action Plan – including: Enhance Essential Infrastructure, Build the
Senior Economy, Enhance Juneau’s Role as a Capital City, etc. should be our guideline. As
Mayor I would work to take it to the next step and implement as many as possible of the
initiatives by assigning responsibility for achieving them – with the Assembly, staff and of
course, JEDC. If we paid for it and approved it (the Juneau Economic development Plan) we
should use it.
8. How can you use the Housing Action Plan and the Land Management Plan to improve
Juneau’s housing concerns?
Ken Koelsch: The Housing Action Plan lays out a strategy for implementing policies that
address the weaknesses in our housing markets. The Land Management Plan provides a
strategy for use and disposal of CBJ lands in order to facilitate city policy. The Housing Plan
can be implemented by using the Land Management Plan. Both of these plans are the product
of a great deal of community input and as such offer useful guidelines for the Assembly to
follow.
Karen Crane: The final Housing Action Plan has not yet been released but a presentation on
preliminary results and recommendations was given to the Assembly, and I expect that the
final plan will be embraced by it. We also have the first update of the Land Management Plan
in 16 years. The plan points out what has worked and what has not, giving us an opportunity to
refine how we approach land sales and use. I hope the two plans will offer a blueprint for
moving forward.
9. Please explain what you think is our greatest challenge to addressing local fiscal
concerns?
Karen Crane: Very simply, the State budget. Over the last few years the Assembly has
worked to create a stable, sustainable budget and to be prepared to meet uncertainties caused
by the State’s fiscal situation. We have cut spending, reduced staff, looked for efficiencies, and
increased our reserve accounts and revenues. One of our challenges is educating the public
about the situation facing the State and our community. I still hear people say, “Cut the budget
but not my program.” We could lay off every single state employee from the governor to the
DOT workers who fill pot holes and still have a staggering deficit. The sooner the state acts the
easier it will be for local government to make decisions. It is especially critical that the
legislature act comprehensively and soon. The consequences of delay will be particularly
devastating on Juneau as Alaska’s capital city.
Ken Koelsch: People not willing to compromise – refusing to change their minds or modify
their stances on issues even though circumstances could be drastically different is a challenge.
We need to find the middle ground. As Assembly members, we all must be able to look at the
‘bigger’ picture and not get bogged down and entrenched on individual budget issues.
Participants must come to the table during times of tighter budgets with a willingness to
compromise or very little can be accomplished. We must have the ability to distinguish
between wants and needs and react with fiscal responsibility.
10. If elected to Mayor, what should we expect of you?
Ken Koelsch: There is a rich diversity of opinion on the Assembly and I believe that is
strength not a weakness. As Mayor, I will conduct meetings in an efficient, orderly, and
respectful manner. I will always listen with an open mind and will do my best to encourage
healthy, fact-based discussion of issues. Collegiality is a very important organizational value
and I will lead by example in my personal interactions with Assembly members and fellow
citizens.
Karen Crane: I plan to be an active Mayor. I believe the job includes promoting Juneau at
every opportunity – with the legislature, around the state, and nationally. I plan to be more
visible in the community. I will hold regular informal meetings throughout the Borough for the
public to come and chat, and to share their ideas or concerns. I will welcome Assembly
members to join me in these meetings. My philosophy is inclusive. We make the best
decisions when we hear all sides of an issue. If elected, I will be a Mayor who will listen to the
people, keep an open mind for better ideas, and work tirelessly to represent all of Juneau.