5 years ago (12/12/2019)
Mining committee loses members
The Takshanuk Watershed Council resigned from the Chilkat Mining Forum Committee, with board president Ben Kirkpatrick saying it was “not worth the effort we’re putting into it.” Takshanuk is the fourth organization to resign from the Mining Forum Committee since 2017 when the Chilkat Indian Village and Lynn Canal Conservation resigned in the fall. The Haines Economic Development Corporation resigned last month. Lynn Canal Conservation and the economic development corporation cited issues with the committee’s requirement that it meet a 70 percent threshold for approval. Takshanuk proposed last month that the committee remove voting rights from groups that stand to profit from a mine, but the motion lacked support. Current members include Constantine (Liz Cornejo, Sheri Maust), the Palmer Family (Jessie Badger, Linda Palmer), Haines Miners Association (Diana Lapham, Richard Clement), Haines Chamber of Commerce (Tracey Harmon), Haines Sportsman’s Association (no member seated), Haines Borough (Jan Hill, Ed Coffland), Haines Gillnetters Association (Ryan Cook, Marty Smith) and United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters (Stuart DeWitt).
10 years ago (Dec. 11, 2014)
Treatment plant not in budget
Funds for the Haines Borough’s dilapidated wastewater treatment plant were absent from Gov. Walker’s work-in-progress budget released for the upcoming fiscal year. For the past two years, the borough has applied for a $2 million state grant for its wastewater treatment plant. Walker’s Office of Management and Budget Director Pat Pitney said it was highly unlikely that Haines’ project would be included in the final version of the budget. Borough manager David Sosa said he was disappointed. “We have a legitimate need to improve the structure of our wastewater treatment facility,” he said.
25 years ago (Dec. 17, 1999)
Ormasen out at Journal
The controlling board of the Eagle Eye Journal this week terminated publisher Peggy Ormasen, who held the position since the fledgling periodical started up in April 1997.
Board chairman Duck Hess and board member Carol Waldo each declined comment on the firing.
“No one’s going to make any comments,” Waldo said. Other board members include Russ Walton, Patty Glackin and Bob Budke.
Ormasen, who formerly had worked three years at Alaskan Southeastern Magazine, had served as the journal’s advertising director and sales manager as well as taking photos and writing stories.
She’d worked long hours and attributed the parting to friction.
“They’re not used to working with an editorial staff under real stress. They couldn’t deal with that, but they’re all good people.”
Ormasen said she had no hard feelings. “No that’s the way life goes.” She said she may go to work for a statewide business publication.
35 ago years ago
It’s official: Disney to come to Haines
Production coordinator Pat Matzdorff booked flights to Haines for five hybrid wolves following an official announcement that Walt Disney would be filming “White Fang” here in the coming year. “It’s tremendous exposure for Haines that can’t be bought,” said Chamber of Commerce vice president Jon Halliwill of the decision. The Jack London story is being made required reading for high school freshmen and the public library is sponsoring “Fangmania,” a trivia contest about the story and northern life.
50 years ago (Dec. 12, 1974)
Linn Asper named temporary judge
Linn H. Asper was appointed as the Juneau District Court Judge and will serve in that capacity until a permanent replacement is found. He has been a partner in the law firm of Folta and Asper in Haines and expects to spend three or four months in the temporary position, then plans to return to Haines. He left Dec. 6 for Juneau with his wife Mary and new son Leif.