Dave Button wants another chance.
The controversial tour operator again is applying for a Haines Borough
tour permit, and hopes the assembly will take a fresh look at his application.
The assembly on Tuesday will consider a permit application by Button
for boat excursions departing from the Small Boat Harbor.
The borough has denied tour permits for Button’s Eco Orca tour
company since 2005. The company operated in Haines from 1999 to 2004.
Borough clerk Julie Cozzi said she rejected renewal of Button’s
permit in 2005 because the operator had not followed borough laws and because of numerous
complaints from Button’s customers.
Button last year appealed denial of his tour permit to the Alaska
Supreme Court, which upheld the borough’s decision, citing "a pervasive lack of
concern for public safety." Defending its decision in state courts cost the borough
more than $75,000.
Using words such as "compassion," "forgiveness,"
and "rehabilitation" to describe why he hoped the outcome would be different at
Tuesday’s meeting, Button said the borough needed a system for re-entry.
"Haines does not have a redemption policy," Button said.
"I don’t think I have a fighting chance because of the reputation they’ve
built for me, 95 percent of which isn’t true."
Borough manager Mark Earnest said he would review information regarding
Button’s permit request this week and make a recommendation to the assembly.
The borough’s tourism director, police chief, and harbormaster
have submitted comments opposing a Button permit.
Tourism director Lori Stepansky said she is still concerned about
Button’s "previous business practices of disregard for laws and codes regardless
of his claim to be operating under a ‘Coast Guard license.’"
Button said he questioned evidence provided by borough staff about his
operations, and said he asked that Stepansky, harbormaster Christian Racich, and police
chief Gary Lowe attend Tuesday’s meeting to attest to claims made against him.
"I’ll be there in person or by teleconference. I’ve put a lot of effort
into this."
He said he’d tried to contact assembly member and Mayor Jan Hill
and received no reply, but hoped new borough assembly members would consider his case in a
spirit of independent thought.
"Haines needs more tours," Button said. "Right now
it’s a monopoly… The rest of us are also-rans… We need more of a
variety."
Cozzi said, according to borough code, the assembly must decide if
Button is "willing, fit and able" to perform the tour and to conform with tour
provisions in borough code.
Cozzi said deciding tour permit applications meant weighing impacts to
the borough, to public safety, and to the area in which the tour took place.
