The Haines Borough Assembly last week rejected appointment of former assembly member Diana Lapham to the borough’s Ports and Harbor Advisory Committee on a 4-2 vote.

The appointment was one of several Mayor Jan Hill recommended to the borough’s various advisory boards and councils.

Assembly member Heather Lende asked for Lapham’s name to be removed from a list, along with that of Joe Parnell, who sought a seat on the Chilkat Center Advisory Board.

“I think if we appoint people who repeatedly make personal attacks in meetings addressed to assembly members, committee members or other members of the public, we condone that behavior. And my biggest concern is that young people especially are avoiding public service in Haines,” Lende said.

“We can’t make everyone be nice to each other; we can make sure that the people we appoint avoid personal remarks and speaking in anger, and respect and encourage other views,” Lende said.

Assembly member Margaret Friedenauer said the Ports and Harbor Committee had recommended Lapham based on the work she had already done. Referencing Lapham’s involvement in raising money for a potential lawsuit by fired former manager Bill Seward, Friedenauer also said, “My other concern is that a member of the community who is actively raising funds to sue or to advocate for potential litigation (against) the borough should not be in a board seat.”

Parnell applied to be on the Chilkat Center Advisory Board. His appointment was approved on a 5-1 vote with Lende opposed.

Said assembly member Mike Case: “I grit my teeth every time Parnell stands up and makes some kind of allegation against the boat harbor, the people that have boats, or whatever … but that’s not in the Chilkat Center. If the guy’s got the time I think we could bring him around to our way rather than shun him.”

Case and assembly member Tom Morphet voted against rejecting Lapham’s appointment. Morphet told the assembly that Lapham had told him “to shut up” during a break at an assembly meeting last fall.

“I thought it was enough to let (Lapham) know that she had acted inappropriately, but I don’t think that was (reason) enough to keep her off the board,” Morphet said this week.

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