Dogcatcher cut

Rounding up stray dogs in Haines will be put on the back burner after Sept. 1 so the police department can save money by eliminating the animal control position.

Mayor April Lapham said Tuesday the community services officer, which has been a combination of dog catcher/despatcher will be eliminated to save the city’s police department about $32,640.

Glenda Amox, who has been in that position, will fill the dispatch position of Gail Turner, who is leaving Haines Sept. 15. A fifth police officer will be hired to replace Bob Stokely, who left the police department earlier this month to become the new harbormaster.

Lapham said the police department needs to hire the fifth police officer to continue its 24-hour, seven-day-a-week police coverage. She said if stray dogs become a problem, the police might have a sporadic roundup whenever complaints make that necessary.

Novel set here

A Michigan housewife and author Amelia Kesling visited Haines last week to sign copies of her suspense novel set in Fort William H. Seward in 1941.

The book is the first for the homemaker, who first visited Haines in 1979, was captivated by the history of the city and made four trips here researching the novel. The story follows the life of a young woman who comes to Alaska to join her husband, a lieutenant at the fort, and is caught up in the uncertain events prior to the U.S. involvement in World War II.

“When my family first read it they said it was a little dull, so we spiced it up with this and that,” Kesling said of the novel, which she said incorporates local color and international intrigue.

Local historian Elisabeth Hakkinen said the book is the first set in Haines since the publication in 1981 of “A Different Kind of Gold,” a children’s book. Copies are available at the Sheldon Museum bookstore for $8.75.

Noon concerts begin

Noontime concerts featuring the sounds of local and regional musicians will be offered this fall on Friday afternoons in the music room of Haines Elementary School.

Brown Bag Concerts begin Sept. 5 with performances by fiddler Sarah Kemsley and vocalist Cheri Pardee. The public is invited to join students in listening to the weekly concerts that begin at 12:15 p.m. Admission is 50 cents.

Proceeds from the program will support student music activities. Call 766-2811 for more information.

Liquor rules Ok’d

Beer and wine’s okay, but whisky and scotch won’t be tolerated, not even on the rocks of the beach.

City council approved a rewritten ordinance last week that outlaws consuming liquor in public places. Council decided to allow persons to drink beer and wine, but not hard liquor in some public places such as the beach, Oslund Park, Tlingit Park and Lookout Point.

The ordinance states that consuming any kind of liquor on city streets, highways, school property and public property not exempted will be illegal. Council also approved an ordinance that outlaws “to go” cups for person wanting to leave a bar with unfinished rinks.

Persons caught violating the new liquor-consumption ordinance could face up to a $300 fine and 30 days in jail.

Swim raises $1,300

Six members of the Haines Swim Club raised $1,300 at the Aug. 18 Dolphins’ Swim-a-Thon.

Swimming were Glorianne Meacock, Stuart DeWitt, Tara Heinrich, Daniel Lapp, Sabrina Smith and Solveig Johnson. The money will be used to keep the swim club growing and competing in meets in Southeast Alaska and Canada, said swim coach Jennifer Black.

Black said the swim club is beginning a seven-week fall session Friday, with the next meet scheduled for Juneau Oct. 17-19.