As a member of the Planning Commission when this heliport idea surfaced all those years ago, the overwhelming recommendation of the Commission was all commercial helicopter operations be based out of the Haines airport. This was done for obvious reasons, mostly public safety and public and environmental health. The assembly ignored it and hired a professional consultant from Juneau to conduct surveys and meetings. She basically came up with the same recommendation, Haines airport.
Once again, ignored, opening up Pandora’s box to a future filled with controversy, time consuming government meetings and constant bickering among opposing factions and competing tour operators jockeying for position. Recently, the current Planning Commission permitted yet another heliport in the upper valley surrounded by residential properties. Bad idea, especially when there are already 4 other heliports in the area. As far as I know, none of the current Assembly members, Planning Commission members or Land planner, live in an area where heliports are allowed. Wow, is this a statement! Seems rather unfair to say the least. I urge the Assembly to, once again, reject this unwise action by the Planning Commission. Close Pandora’s box, return all commercial helicopter operations to the Haines airport. Please end this debacle of mismanagement. Please vote for elected members of the Planning Commission. Make the Planning Commission more representative of the community they serve. We are, after all, supposed to be a democracy.
Jim Stanford, ex-chairman-Haines Borough Planning Commission and a 38-year highway resident