Haines, we still have a problem.
Last week, Carol Tuynman submitted a letter in the CVN containing misleading information while promoting support for Debra Schnabel’s reelection campaign. She stated the current assembly “inherited from the previous assembly a property assessment disaster,” and today we have “Alaska State Law that protects property owners.” The letter implies Schnabel was not part of the previous assembly’s ‘disaster’ and the assessment reform that is now law is due to the assembly or Schnabel’s advocacy effort.
In fact, Debra Schnabel served as a member of both the 2023 Board of Equalization (BOE) and the previous assembly, which brought about the “property assessment disaster.” The 2023 BOE process should have prevented the contract assessor’s unfair treatment of Haines citizens. However, numerous appellants did not receive due process or a fair hearing.
The assembly participated as members of the BOE. Many 2023 appellants appeared to meet their burden of proof; it was my impression that Schnabel and former mayor Doug Olerud intimidated the other BOE members into not supporting correction to fair market value. They seemed to prioritize rubber stamping excessive assessments over the pursuit of justice.
Residents who witnessed the injustice founded the Haines Citizens Advocacy Group to work for change in Haines and statewide. As a member, I co-authored the white paper Restoring Public Trust, which provided the legislative recommendations. Citizens in Haines and Juneau led the effort for statutes to safeguard the public’s rights to due process and just treatment, not Schnabel.
Brenda Josephson