Haines Borough Mayor Jan Hill recently returned from a trip to Juneau for the Alaska Municipal League Winter Legislative conference, where she hobnobbed with legislators and made “very good connections.”
The conference ran from Feb. 16-18.
Former Rep. Bill Thomas, who was in Juneau on other business, introduced Hill “to several legislators that I may or may not have had the opportunity to meet.”
“Being introduced is different than me walking into their office and meeting them,” Hill said.
Though she met with Haines’ representatives, she also branched out to talk with legislators from other districts. “(Haines’ representatives) are not the only ones that vote on the budget and on the issues and the things that we are trying to secure for our community,” Hill said.
Hill spoke with several legislators about Haines’ legislative priorities, which include the wastewater treatment plant and Small Boat Harbor expansion project. “I believe that having met some of these ladies and gentlemen, when those items come before them, they are at least going to remember that Bill (Thomas) introduced them to the Haines Mayor. And I think that that’s an important connection.”
Hill also attended a reception at the Governor’s Mansion, and spoke with U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and her staff.
Hill is working with Congressman Don Young’s staff to schedule a trip to Washington, D.C., in April.