Thank you for your story on the report of pessimism in our business community. It’s always good to know what citizens are thinking.
I’d just like to clarify that my references to political issues that have hit our town hard pertained to the severe cuts that the State of Alaska has made to our ferry system, schools, parks and other public services, and not to issues at the Haines Borough.
Controversial issues in borough government — sometimes resulting in turnover of staff — have been a constant in Haines history, regardless of whether our economy is booming or busting. They happen because residents often disagree on the direction of our community. I don’t believe they “drive uncertainty” as much as they reflect a diversity of opinion among people who live here. As mayor, I’m committed to making those debates civil and to insulating staff from borough politics as much as possible.
If you choose to live and invest in Haines, you accept the fact that we are not all alike and we are not all in agreement, and that’s okay. General George S. Patton said, “If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.” I’m proud to live in a community where someone is always thinking.
Tom Morphet,
Borough Mayor