The Haines Borough Assembly voted 5-1 to adopt a naming policy that allows the body to name public places and facilities for individuals five years after they’ve died, or in a group’s case been disbanded for at least five years.

The action comes after revelations surfaced earlier this month that former Haines School teacher, principal and superintendent Karl Ward sexually abused or inappropriately approached male students for decades. Five men spoke publicly alleging Ward abused them and another left a message in a video before taking his own life. Ward, who died 21 years ago, worked for the school for 22 years. In 1994, Mayor Sharan Van Winkle dedicated the gym to Ward several years before he died.

Assembly member Sean Maidy thought the assembly should eliminate the language that limits the naming of places or facilities to persons or group who have died or has disbanded. He said the restriction was a knee-jerk reaction. “I would like to see somebody who’s respected in the community have the opportunity to be acknowledged,” Maidy said.

Assembly member Tom Morphet said it’s prudent to let time pass in order to gain objectivity when making such decisions. “When those people are still alive they still hold and wield a certain amount of power and influence and if that decision to name is based on that power and influence they hold right up until their death, perhaps it’s more objective to consider the merits of that person’s life after that power and influence has been taken away,” Morphet said.

Assembly member Brenda Josephson agreed and said too many times in history the public has discovered people in power had a dark past.

Assembly member Tresham Gregg disagreed with waiting until five years after a person has died and said each situation is unique. “I’m not really sure if this is a well-thought-through solution to the problem,” Gregg said.

The assembly voted 3-3 to remove the death or disbandment restriction. Mayor Jan Hill broke the tie in favor of the restriction, citing similar state regulations.

The resolution also allows the public to comment on proposed names. It also allows the assembly to remove or change the name of existing public places, after public comment.

The assembly voted 5-1 in support of the naming policy with Gregg opposed.

Hill also read a statement at the meeting addressing the revelations. She said she felt sadness and dismay at the allegations and abuses that occurred over many years. She applauded Rene Martin for releasing her late husband Rick Martin’s video alleging that Ward raped him. “It was heartbreaking that students and others did not feel they could speak out,” Hill said. “We can now and we all must remain vigilant so nothing like this ever happens again. The Haines Borough Assembly joins me in applauding Rene Martin’s courage for coming forward with her husband’s final revelations and the courage of the other victims to come forward and speak out.”

Hill said sexual assault and alcohol-related crimes are still common in the borough and too often ignored or downplayed by residents who choose to look the other way. She said community members must be vigilant, ask hard questions and listen to the answers. “We must all work together to give a voice to those who are silent. Please be a witness for all that is good in our community while at the same time see more clearly, and with a new understanding, that sometimes all is not what it appears to be.”

The Mayor also asked the community to honor a plea Martin made in his last words.

“Be kind to one another,” Hill said.