A more in-depth profile of John Norton 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?

John Norton — The key to making good decisions is to be well informed. Speaking with people is the best avenue, however technology can be helpful for people with busy lives. A borough hosted online digital box holding historical data, research reports, and comparisons with how other communities have dealt with the issue would help. Add a digital chalkboard for comments. A subsequent Zoom session to gather together to analyze accumulated data and community input would be worthwhile. HEDC is an asset that can help us understand the financial consequences of various proposals.

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?

John Norton — The responsibility of decorum in a public meeting rests with both the speaker and the chairperson for that event. A clear description of guidelines for civil discourse that is consistently supported by the chairperson will help us to have difficult discussions without rancor.

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.

John Norton — A good question as we all tend to measure things as to how it will affect us personally. This campaign season I have found I learn a lot when I go somewhere and ask people younger than myself if they have a minute to talk about issues. Everyone has given me that minute or more. It is enlightening.

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?

John Norton — The passing of the Boomer generation is occurring and our population is staying pretty stable as younger people make a life here. The younger people I speak with tell me that it is the small town and rich environment we live in that drew them here and keep them here. That is also true for me. When I came to Haines as a young man in 1976 the town’s population was approximately 1800.

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

John Norton — I expect that tourism will grow due to the larger ships that are

being built and the small vessels that are now more abundant. The Alaska mystique, a chance to see wildlife, and experience a rugged landscape, and a welcoming small town are limited commodities that are to our advantage. My hope is to see a vibrant community, good stewards of our natural resources, and welcoming to our visitors.

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?

John Norton — I agree with the proposed seasonal sales tax proposal as a way to help improve community finances. There are small things we can find to reduce Borough expenditures, however that path has it’s limits. I believe our senior property tax benefit should be made available to those with lower income. The well-off don’t need it.

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

John Norton — A business guru gave this advice, build on your strengths. Our natural environment and resources, and our small town atmosphere are some of our strengths. Local manufactured products (for 18 years my birch and stone products gave me a good income), sustainable fisheries resources, adventures on our trails and rivers, and products made by local artists and businesses are some of our assets to promote.

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

John Norton — I believe that a return to our original grant proposal, the R&M design 3B, is the path that will be expeditious and likely to be affordable. It was the basis for the 2021 MARAD $20M grant we were awarded. It is accepted by construction firms as well engineered, although minimalist. It preserves fuel and freight deliveries to sustain our community. The Ferry Terminal dock is a very similar design.

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

John Norton — Simple answer is no. Mine companies are private businesses that raise funds through investor contributions. These are often high risk investments as the failure of the Minto mine and withdrawal of DOWA from the Palmer Project demonstrate. I would defer to others to take that risk.

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

John Norton — State and federal laws regulate environmental impacts on the lands they manage. Making sure that those guidelines are followed to protect our fish runs and subsistence activities would be a priority for me. Social impacts are quite another story. Impacts on school classroom size, housing availability, crime and other issues would require borough involvement to insure that our lovable little town isn’t changed in ways we would find regrettable.

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?

John Norton — I support getting the GPS data to allow for uniform enforcement of restrictions from flights over sensitive wildlife habitat or community no-fly zones.

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?

John Norton — I would support encouraging tour operators to educate and train their employees to promote a safe visitor industry. I don’t feel the Haines Borough should fund this, but we should strongly promote it. Past experience with volunteers/monitors at Chilkoot have shown that they are ignored by visitors since they have no legal authority. State Parks needs to do more to

insure safe bear and human interactions.