A look back—and the week ahead in the Chilkat Valley.
Take a look around and let us know what you think by leaving a comment here and if you have meetings or deadlines you’d like to see included, send a note to Rashah McChesney at [email protected]. |
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| Duly Noted: Duly and Tattoo-ly noted |
| The springtime warmer weather has revealed glimpses of some of the ink in town, here’s more of the backstory on some of the pieces Duly Noted columnist Charlene Jones spotted recently. | |
|  | | For those of you starting your work week in the Upper Chilkat Valley, the Haines Highway construction project has changed, and expanded, its hours. Now, between Mile Post 20-25 expect a one lane road with pilot cars and delays from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
And, the state’s Department of Natural Resources is looking for someone to clear an area near Mosquito Lake and install a toilet. Bids are due by June 4.
Monday, May 11 |
6:30 p.m. - The Board of Equalization is meeting to consider property tax assessment appeals. There are two cases in front of the board this evening, including one in which the St. Michaels & All Angels Episcopal Church is asserting a religious exemption on a piece of property it owns on the Haines Highway and has, in the past, used for religious services. Assessor Martins Onskulis is arguing that ownership of the property is not sufficient enough to qualify for an exemption; rather it has to be used for that purpose and that because no religious services have been conducted on the property for some time – a fact neither party disputes – that it no longer qualifies.
Tuesday, May 12
5:30 p.m. - The assembly’s finance committee is having a meeting on next year’s budget. They’ll be focused on Capital Improvement Projects. This is a list of priority projects to be pursued in the near future and in previous years has included everything from senior center flooring to road improvements.
6:30 p.m. Regular meeting of the Haines Borough assembly. Included on this week’s agenda are: another round of severance tax discussions, a first public hearing on the budget, a boat tour of Lutak Inlet permit application from Alaska Mountain Guides, the borough’s contract with a federal lobbyist, a $1 million grant for an early childhood education building, the mayor’s promise to veto a measure to defund the Haines Economic Development Corporation, an estimate of $2 million in damages from winter storms to be sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and discussion on the Lutak Dock. In the assembly chambers and via Zoom.
Wednesday, May 13
6:30 p.m. The Haines Borough Assembly is meeting with its school board. Generally these discussions include the school district’s performance, budget and other financial and capital improvement needs. The meeting will be held in the school’s library and on Zoom.
Thursday, May 14
6 p.m. - Staff from the world’s largest cruise port operator, Global Ports Holding, will talk about the company’s proposal to lease and operate Haines’ Port Chilkoot Dock. The meeting will be held in the assembly chambers, and on Zoom.
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|  | | Election Day for the Chilkoot Indian Association from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Jilkoot Kwaan Kahidi (the Chilkoot Indian Association) office. Voters will select a SEARHC representative from candidates Jessie Grant, James Hart and Janice Hill. They’ll also be selecting three for tribal council seats from the four people running: James Hart, Georgiana Hotch, Aubrey Katzeek and Gwen Sauser. Early voting is currently open. | | Deadline to nominate yourself, or someone else, to serve on a federal Secure Rural Schools advisory committee. These are 15-member committees with 4-year terms. The applications are extensive and details can be found here. The Secure Rural Schools program provides funding for schools, roads and other services to support rural areas which have a tax base limited by the amount of federal land located near them. The funding is substantial, it amounts to millions in payments to Alaska and more than $272,000 to the Haines school district in 2023. Cell-tower proposal. Atlas Tower is proposing building a 140-foot tall monopine telecommunications tower near 52 North Sawmill Road inHaines. Public comments on the potential side effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted to Trileaf Corp, Rachel Bishop at [email protected], or to 2121 W Chandler BLVD., Suite 108, Chandler, AZ, 85224. Or, by calling 480-447-8260. | | Deadline to submit comments on a Coeur Alaska, Inc., request for an authorization for the incidental take of marine mammals as it repairs the Kensington Dock in Berner’s Bay. This is a one-time, 1 year renewal of this authorization that could be renewed and the National Marine Fisheries Service is requesting public comments. | | Deadline to submit comments on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Mammal Protection Act List of Fisheries for 2026. The National Marine Fisheries Service is required to post its proposed changes to the list every year. The fisheries service has to categorize every commercial fishery into one of three categories based on the level of mortality and serious injury to marine mammals that occurs in each fishery. The fishery’s classification determines whether people who participate in it have to follow certain registration rules, have observers on their boats or take reduction plan requirements. The list of fisheries, their categories, and more information about most of them can be found here. | | The state has put out a draft of a new management plan for the Haines State Forest. Alaska’s Division of Forestry is taking comments via email at [email protected], or by physical mail. The forestry division started the process of amending the plan in early 2024 to include a new carbon offset program passed by the legislature, but in 2025 the scope changed and residents learned that the division intended to open the entire Haines State Forest – with the exception of the eagle preserve – up for the possibility of timber harvest.
Have a meeting, public comment period or something else you think Chilkat Valley residents should know about? Submit it here. | |
|  | | Haines Assisted Living is hiring a resident manager. This middle management position serves as the primary point of contact for residents, staff, and families. It’s an exciting opportunity to work with Haines elders in a fun and positive work environment. Direct care experience and/or a Bachelor’s Degree in related fields. Salary DOE. Contact Christy Long at [email protected] or call 907-766-3616. | | The Haines Borough School District is hiring for the 2026-27 school year. Open positions include a half-time elementary music teacher, part-time certified home school coordinator, prep cook and lunch aide, and a certified special education teacher. Send a cover letter, resume, transcripts and references to [email protected]. Call 907-766-6725 with questions. | | Jilkaat Kwaan Gift Shop is seeking a manager at the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center. The gift shop manager oversees daily operations including customer service, merchandising and inventory. This position reports to the general manager. For applications or questions, contact Carrie Durr at 907-767-5505. | |
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