Seven residents are seeking appointment to the Haines Borough Assembly seat vacated by the resignation of Mike Case.
The applicants include some who want more assembly representation by young people, the sponsor of the recent recall effort, and the borough’s former Mayor, who says she knows her way around borough code.
The assembly will interview Paul Nelson, Sean Maidy, Andrew Gray, Don Turner Jr., James Hart, Judy Erekson and Stephanie Scott, on Thursday, May 15. Case’s replacement will serve until the October election. An appointment is expected at the May 30 assembly meeting.
Nelson said he previously filled a vacant assembly seat for six months. He said he’s not sure if he would run for the seat but he wants to help the assembly.
“I’m just trying to help bring the community together and work together,” Nelson said. “(I want to) try and end some conflict and move in.”
Sean Maidy, 35, manages Dusty Trails apartments. Maidy, who plans to run in October, has lived in Haines for two years with his wife and two children. He said he wants to see more young people involved in politics and wants to provide economic opportunities for them to live in Haines year-round.
In his letter of interest, Maidy wrote that he thinks the borough should invest in renewable energy to promote job growth and become more self-sufficient.
“I believe we could be growing our own vegetables, powering vehicles, and heating public buildings while producing less waste, decreasing our shipping costs, and creating local jobs,” Maidy wrote.
ProHNS civil engineer Andrew Gray, 29, also plans to run in October. Gray has lived with his family in Haines one year. He said he wants to help see stability within the borough government and “détente the bitter and divisive infighting.”
He said he supports economic development and the Haines Economic Development Corporation, including the group’s $95,000 funding request. He supports hiring a fifth police officer and establishing emergency police response outside the townsite.
Don Turner Jr. has lived in town 51 years, according to his letter of interest. Turner thinks the assembly should cut the budget before raising taxes.
“I believe we should be funding our core basics such as water and sewer, road and public facilities maintenance, police department, ports and harbors, including tourism, and cut non-essential programs before we start raising taxes,” Turner wrote.
He wrote that the Lutak Dock project should be the borough’s top priority and there should be more balance on the assembly.
Turner is the main sponsor of a recall effort against assembly members Heather Lende, Tresham Gregg and Tom Morphet.
James Hart, 27, said he submitted a letter of interest to ensure there was a “local voice” in the mix. He said would decide later on running for the seat in October. Like many of the applicants, he wants to quell controversy surrounding local government.
“It’s been a whirlwind for everybody involved, I guess,” Hart said. “I’m hoping to be able to help calm things down a little bit and start working.”
The Tlingit Haida Central Council last month recognized Hart for his service to the community and gave him an “Emerging Leader” award.
Hart recently completed a public policy fellowship with state Rep. Jonathan Kreiss Tomkins, D-Sitka.
Hart said he wants to listen to the community and “collaborate with everybody.”
Stephanie Scott has served multiple roles in Haines Borough government. Besides serving as the previous borough Mayor, Scott has served on the assembly, worked as clerk and administrator of the third-class borough, and was on the charter commission during borough consolidation.
She won’t run in October. She wants to help the current assembly and administrators better understand borough code and charter and bring a thorough understanding of public meeting rules and procedures.
“Effective public process is anchored in these three documents and solid knowledge of the rules and laws is essential to public and assembly understanding,” Scott wrote in her letter of interest. “These rules and laws apply to all of us regardless of our various political opinions; their steady application makes us all equal.”
Judy Erekson did not respond to an interview request in time for publication. Erekson ran during last October’s election and finished fifth among six candidates.