The Haines Borough Assembly is exploring the possibility of hiring a new attorney.
Haines Borough Manager Debra Schnabel asked the assembly Tuesday if they wanted current attorney Brooks Chandler to reapply for the position. “I have notified our existing attorney that you are interested in seeing who else is interested in serving as your legal counsel,” Schnabel said.
Assembly member Heather Lende said she thought it was unnecessary for Chandler to ask for the job. “Maybe he could try to talk me out of it, but I feel like eight years and some decisions later I’d like to see a new attorney to match the whole new assembly and management at this point,” Lende said.
Assembly member Sean Maidy said he would never turn down an application. “Anybody who wants to apply should be able to apply.”
Assembly member Tom Morphet said the borough should look into what firms are representing other communities and that it might consider soliciting a good firm.
Assembly member Tresham Gregg said Chandler should be given the opportunity to be in the pool of applicants without a formal application.
None of the assembly members discussed at the meeting why they were looking for another legal counsel.
Schnabel said she’d tell Chander he could submit a letter of interest.