"Women Who Shape the City"

Note from Sheila:

The following is from the Post Register published December 17, 2008, part of a front page story title "Women of Influence." I'm well acquainted with each of the women mentioned in this article, having worked with them on various community endeavors through the years. They published our pictures with the article but I can't figure out how to add it to this posting. Probably if you cut and pasted the address below.

http://www.postregister.com/Tools/print.php?accnum=1017-12172008&today=2008-12-17

Wednesday December 17, 2008
Women of Influence
OTHERS who shape the city

JoAn Wood

Sheila Olsen

Laurel Sayer

Ida Hardcastle
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JoAn Wood

State representative from Rigby

Wood chairs the House Transportation Committee, which puts her at the center of the debate on how to address Idaho's estimated annual $240 million backlog in road repairs and maintenance.

If the governor can't get Wood on board with his plan to raise money for roads and bridges through increases in the gas tax or vehicle registration fees, it's doubtful he'll get what he's looking for.

Wood also championed and fought for a state-funded mental health and substance abuse treatment center in Bonneville County. The idea is to treat these diseases instead of piling people into the prison system, which drains money from Idaho's colleges and public schools.

This pilot project will first be tried in eastern Idaho. Legislators hope to build similar treatment centers in every corner of the state.

And that means the longest-serving legislator in Idaho history may be around a while.

"I can't leave until I get that propped up and running and replicable," Wood said.

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Sheila Olsen
http://www.postregister.com/e-news/12172008/full/A4-1017-2002.jpg

Community and political activist

Olsen, 70, often tries to glide under the radar by describing herself as the widow of prominent lawyer Dennis Olsen, a longtime Idaho GOP chairman. But just three years after Dennis' 1985 death, Sheila was recruited to George H.W. Bush's campaign steering committee and cast one of Idaho's votes as a member of the Electoral College. Historian Randy Stapilus put her on his list of 100 influential Idahoans because candidates hire her to help run their campaigns and captains of industry such as Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot pay for her advice.

A social networking scientist would marvel at her connections: longtime leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints public affairs committee, surprise supporter of former Idaho Falls Mayor Linda Milam (a suspected Democrat in a nonpartisan race), Multiple Sclerosis Mother of the Year, and 10-year leader, with the late A.J. Lewis, of the city's Cultural Awareness Committee. She also serves on the board of Development Workshop, on the Governor's Human Rights Commission and she is state legislative chairwoman of the Idaho Federation of Republican Women.

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Laurel Sayer

Congressman Mike Simpson's resources and INL director

Simpson's eyes and ears in eastern Idaho, Sayer helped write, rewrite and investigate her boss' signature legislation, the ever-evolving and perpetually ongoing Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act, a bill that would designate the Boulder-White Clouds as wilderness.

As past chairwoman of the Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce, Sayer emphasizes the importance of giving to the community, especially the arts. She has served as a commissioner of the Idaho Commission on the Arts since 2000 and has long supported local projects. Sayer also supports wildlife and Idaho National Laboratory efforts on behalf of Simpson.

"We're very fortunate to have Laurel," Simpson said. "She's a wonderful and diverse partner."

Politicians and members of the community have an obligation to serve, Sayer said.

"Contributing to your community breaks down walls," she said.

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Ida Hardcastle

Idaho Falls City Council president

It's been 45 years since Hardcastle moved here from Salt Lake City and began her "quality of life" mantra. A stay-at-home mom for some time, she has always volunteered in order to stay active and remain inspired. These days, she serves as Mayor Jared Fuhriman's right-hand woman and is one of the driving forces in developing the city's $171 million budget.

Hardcastle has long been involved in developing the city's recreational opportunities, such as Tautphaus Park's equal-access playground, the zoo and city golf courses.

"Some people think it's fluff, but it's the fluff that holds the city together," Hardcastle said.

Though she never planned for a life in politics, and even balked early on at the politician label, Hardcastle has spent a decade and a half in city government. Her visions for the city include a community recreation center and continued support of community growth.