A more in-depth profile of Richard Clement can be found here.

Our next borough election is set to take place on Oct. 7. That means we’re working to get you the information you need to know to cast an informed vote here at the Chilkat Valley News.

We asked Chilkat Valley residents to weigh-in on what they’d like to hear from candidates and dozens weighed in asking nearly 50 questions. 

We pared down the list to 12 and asked candidates to answer them in about 100 words. We’ve edited those that came in significantly longer or contained grammatical errors.

Question 1 (from Barbara Nettleton): You may have your own ideology as to how, say, the Lutak Dock is repaired or replaced, how the school should be funded, how nonprofits should be funded, who our lobbyists are or if we should have them, that we should have more taxes, or that we should sell off borough assets, etc. How will you listen, process, and execute a topic that receives a broad spectrum of support and opposition?

Richard Clement — I will follow guidance from Robert’s Rules of Order for listening, processing, and execution of every topic. I will listen to public testimony, expert advice, legal advice and my five other assembly members to ensure the borough is following legal procedures to arrive and execute a decision that benefits the majority of Haines residents.

Question 2 (from Deborah Gravel): How would you support civility in all and any public meetings, including the school board, planning commission, and borough assembly?

Richard Clement — The charter and our new ethics document enacted in 2025 ensure civility in all public meetings. I have been goaded to behave inappropriately, but have not taken the bait in my one-year term.

Question 3 (from Kay Clements): How will you balance the needs of younger adults when the assembly is comprised mainly of older adults and leans toward older voter interest.

Richard Clement — I disagree – older adults do not “lean toward older voter interests.” One candidate wants folks to believe that, but this is not true. Older folks are working hard with their experience and devotion to the younger generations, just ask any father or grandfather.

Question 4 (from Thom Ely): Our population in the Haines Borough has remained relatively stable over the past 40 years at about 2,500 residents. Do you want our population to grow or stay about the same?

Richard Clement — The overwhelming opinion is for moderate growth, as documented in the new comprehensive plan.

Question 5 (from Cynthia Jones): What is your vision for the Chilkat Valley in 10 years, 20 years?

Richard Clement — My vision is reflected in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.

Question 6 (from Carol Tuynman): What specific actions have you taken to balance the Haines Borough budget, and/or what steps would you recommend to balance the budget in the coming year?

Richard Clement — Following procedure, I will investigate the budget as proposed by the manager right after release and look for efficiencies in purchasing by departments. I will also participate in the CBA as I did in 2025. I will promote land sales for a number of reasons: they help the budget; they provide potential homeowners and prospective property taxpayers with land; and complete the handover of lands to individuals as promoted by the state. I will allow tourism to flourish, yet not allow damage to the environment.

Question 7 (from Fran Tuenge): Do you want Haines to thrive and grow economically? Give an example of what you will promote.

Richard Clement — I will promote land sales for a number of reasons: they help the budget; they provide potential homeowners and prospective property taxpayers with land; and complete the handover of lands to individuals as promoted by the State. I will allow tourism to flourish, yet not allow damage to the environment.

Question 8 (from Karen Wallace): What is your vision for the Lutak Dock?

Richard Clement — Reconstruct the dock to the functionality we have enjoyed for practically nothing since it was given to us by the U.S. government. It must support the trade we now depend on to support our town and its ability to promote trade, both ongoing uses of the dock.

Question 9 (from Jessica Plachta):  Are you in support of public money being used for infrastructure projects that facilitate mine development? 

Richard Clement — There are borough roads that need maintenance and some of these are used for both public access and exploration by mining interests. The borough must maintain these, and not just for “mine development”.

Question 10 (from Shannon Donahue): What will you do to protect the Chilkat Valley from the environmental and social impacts of resource extraction?

Richard Clement — The Haines borough does not permit, monitor or regulate resource extraction on state or federal lands. Those organizations take the lead on those properties within the borough boundaries. I am working on a severance tax that will compensate the borough financially for use of borough assets.

Question 11 (from Cary Weishahn): Do you support the borough gathering past helicopter flight and landing data from the heliski permittees to be used by future heliski map committees? Why or why not?

Richard Clement — Yes, I was chairman of the group that approved the five-year heliski map, and we approved the use of GPS data to aid in the next generation of a five-year heliski map.

Question 12 (from Sally McGuire): The Chilkoot River is critical to tourism in Haines.  It has become only more overcrowded over the last 20 years, to the point that Haines is in great danger of killing the goose that laid the golden egg, and with less management rather than more.  We no longer have the river monitor position, there are no volunteers trying to help with the congestion, and the park ranger is left to cope by himself.  No one is dealing with traffic along Lutak Road including the burgeoning bicycle traffic all over the road,  and as far as I know there is no longer bear-safety training for bus drivers let alone bike renters.  Will you commit to funding river monitors, requiring driver/guide safety training, and other ways of addressing safety and congestion,  such that the Corridor is once again a place that visitors can enjoy?

Richard Clement — We need to work with the state agencies to ensure the safety of wildlife.