We would like to express our thanks to everyone running for a seat on the Haines Borough Assembly.  It is a significant responsibility to make decisions—thoughtfully and in good faith—on behalf of our community. We hope that those running for assembly will consider how they can advocate for those of us raising families here in the Chilkat Valley.

We have chosen Haines as the place to raise our families because of the unique opportunities this community, and the pristine landscape that surrounds it, provides. This includes access to local foods like wild salmon, and unparalleled outdoor opportunities for all ages. However, raising families here also comes with many challenges. How can our assembly members help us navigate these challenges so families like ours cannot only remain here, but thrive—and so that more families will want to call Haines home?

Our community needs more licensed childcare options—a topic that has surfaced in local conversations for years. We’ve filled out surveys, participated in meetings, and offered ideas. But how will new assembly members move this conversation from ideas and input to action and implementation? The need is urgent and ongoing, and yet we have not seen our current assembly take meaningful steps toward real solutions.

How do assembly candidates plan to turn community input into actionable policies that support working families and help build a sustainable future for Haines?

Cosmo Fudge, Forest Podsiki, and Marley Horner