Thank you to everyone who wrote letters and spoke in support of the Skyline Subdivision conditional use permit. It was powerful to see so many residents unaffiliated with the project speak in support of Haines’ economy.
Gov. Bill Walker was a guest speaker at a meeting I attended recently. During the meeting, he stated, “The most endangered thing in Alaska is our economy.” He also stated that Alaska is suffering from “death of common sense.”
I hope it is too soon to write the obituary for “common sense.” The writers of Alaska’s Constitution firmly established that Alaska’s natural resources should be developed, crafting Article 8 to ensure that development could not be subverted by stealth, ineptitude, or inattention. It is important that we work together to support all aspects of our economy including fishing, hunting, mining, construction, arts, tourism, heliskiing, agriculture, and more. Thankfully we are a diverse collection of individuals that have unique interests and skill sets.
Haines has one of the oldest populations in Alaska. Employment opportunities are required to sustain young families, to meet the need to provide services for our community and to keep our schools robust. Both current and future residents have the right to seek their own “quality of life” in our community.
Please keep speaking out in support of a vibrant economy for Haines and Alaska. Let’s work together to save “common sense.”
Brenda Josephson