It appears that with the addition of a trailer to the Haines Borough offices and the suggestion that we build yet another “muniplex” (Haven’t we got one at Third Avenue and the Old Haines Highway?) the borough is running out of space to conduct its daily business. The Sheldon Museum is facing the same problem. The museum would be ideal for borough offices: it has compacting storage for all those records; it has a Halon fire-suppressant system; it has an alarm system to warn against intruders; it has a wonderful view of the harbor and Lynn Canal and proximity to restaurants, the bank, and an office supply store. Did I mention it has five levels for offices, exhibits and maintenance equipment, plus a shed for excess stuff? After 30 years in its present location, the Sheldon Museum also finds itself in need of more space. Perhaps the assembly should think a little smaller, and instead of building a huge, multi-purpose “Swiss Army knife building,” build a new museum on the former school property at Third Avenue and Main Street and move the borough offices into the museum building, which the borough owns. Mayor Scott may not want the borough offices downtown but I think most of the borough employees and the people of Haines who have business with the borough would find the location more convenient.
Joan Snyder