Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay organizers said Saturday post-race festivities drew stricter law enforcement this year, but police chief Gary Lowe said there was “no change” from 2010 regarding the borough’s policy on open containers of alcohol. “(Officers) gave out a lot of warnings and did issue one citation to somebody with open alcohol but, overall, it […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly to discuss tour tax
Haines Borough Mayor Jan Hill said the borough’s 1 percent municipal sales tax for tourism promotion and economic development will be on the agenda at Tuesday’s assembly meeting. Resident Sally McGuire last month spoke at an assembly meeting and said she was ready to collect signatures to abolish the tax, but said the assembly “should take the lead […]
Posted inNews
Local crab goes to market
On June 22, a planeload of fresh Dungeness crab flew from Haines to Washington state, destined for dinner plates throughout the Pacific Northwest. Local, fresh Dungeness crabs are finding their way to market thanks to a new partnership between Whole Foods Market and Haines Packing Co. Whole Foods Market is a natural and organic foods […]
Posted inNews
Expert: Assembly violated code
According to a government specialist with the Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs, the Haines Borough Assembly “should have appointed somebody” to fill a vacated seat earlier this month, but “there’s no real code police” to enforce any penalty. Glen Hamburg, who advises and assists local governments, said the borough code is “quite clear” about a […]
Posted inNews
Cyclists come within minutes of breaking record
The Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay started with a tailwind on June 18 – and hopes that a record might be broken. But with only eight miles to go to the finish line at Fort Seward, the wind shifted to a headwind, forcing the lead cyclists to miss the record time of 5:55:55 by about […]
Posted inNews
Independent tour operators moved off dock; Draft plan changed to offer space at visitor’s center
By Margaret Friedenauer Local independent tour operators are no longer allowed at the Port Chilkoot Dock to sell to cruise ship passengers in a change to a new draft operating plan for the dock. The operators may now set up and sell in front of the visitor’s center on Second Avenue. But some tour operators […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Make Haines beautiful
Develop our old school complex into a downtown information center with a multipurpose community use complex, beautiful park, community information kiosks, large outdoor music/performance gazebo and it becomes a community “asset rather than liability.” Creating a “heritage” display with Native totems, old mining and logging equipment produces a reason for visitors to spend more time […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Better and fairer ways than tourism tax
While it may be argued that the benefits of tourism trickle down to everyone in the Borough, it is patently obvious that some reap considerably larger benefits than others. As Sally McGuire has pointed out, the “costs” are also borne disproportionately. Years ago the fishing industry voted to tax themselves to promote Alaska seafood. They […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Great crew at checkpoint 7
Once again I would like to thank my great crew at checkpoint 7 of the bike race. Julie Ferrin, Inez and Autumn Gross, Jenny Smith, Kathy Warner, Don Chase, Kalee Clayton, Lisa Sele, Terry and Bonnie Sharnbroich, Dan Egolf, Carole and Greg Goodman, Jerry and Gina Erny (a special thanks for the great BBQ) and […]
Posted inThank You Letters
Thanks to Hammer Museum
My thank-you letter to individuals and businesses that supported the Beer Fest in May omitted an important name. Thank you to Dave Pahl and the Hammer Museum for operating the high-striker during Saturday’s beer tasting for the third year in a row, and for donating the proceeds to the Fair. We appreciate the Hammer Museum’s […]