Balanced and wise planning is essential to chart a course for our community into the future. The planning commission leads this effort. Effective members of the commission must keep both short-term and long-term effects in mind as they make their decisions. For this reason, I endorse the candidacies of Rachel Saitzyk and Dan Schultz. Rachel […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor: Thomas, Clement, Reams and Rosado deserve election
I have lived in Haines my entire life and I know what a special place this is. We need leaders who will protect it. That’s why I support Gabe Thomas and Richard Clement. They have stood up for our community – defending the cemetery’s proper use as outlined in the 1943 deed – and they […]
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A vote for Norton and Sargent is a vote for a smaller Lutak Dock
I support a rebuild of the Lutak Dock which will provide the services that we received previously. We do not have the funding to support a dock design that surpasses our community’s needs. John Norton and Eben Sargent both listen to public input and are advocates for keeping this project within our budget. This is […]
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Letter to the Editor: Thomas making last-minute promises that may not stick
Don’t be mislead by language on an ore-ship ban at the Lutak Dock. The Sept. 25 Chilkat Valley News states that Gabe Thomas intends to introduce a motion to adopt an ordinance that would ban ore ships at the Lutak Dock. In 2024 he proposed the same idea which received little traction from the assembly. […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor: Re-Elect Gabe Thomas and Richard Clement
If you enjoy chaos, dysfunction, and an agenda-driven local government, by all means vote for the two new assembly candidates. If you prefer competent, common sense assembly members that strive to move our community forward, consider casting your vote to retain Gabe Thomas and Richard Clement. Randa Szymanski
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor: Commercial fishing is alive and well in Haines
I was fresh off the boat having beat the storm coming in from the coast, cozy in my house after one of my career best salmon seasons, catching up on Chilkat Valley News papers when the latest issue delivered me a real surprise. According to one candidate, “fishing is gone” from the local economy! Huh. […]
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Letter to the Editor: Lutak dock repair is an urgent need for the community
The storm last week gives us another reason why we need the Lutak Dock. That poor ship couldn’t hold anchor and had to try and get out of the wind. I am embarrassed that we didn’t have a dock to tie up to, it should have been done by now! We need to fix the […]
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Letter to the Editor: Don’t support Israel’s genocide in Palestine
On Sept. 16, 2025, the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory released its legal analysis of the conduct of Israel in Gaza since October 2023, which concluded Israel is committing the crime of genocide. Genocide is recognized by international law and binds all states with an obligation to prevent […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor: Vote, and ask for help if you need it
Did you know you can absentee vote by personal representative in the Haines Borough due to age, illness or disability? Do you need a ride to the Administration Building to absentee vote? Do you need a ride to vote on Election Day? Call or email the contact number at the bottom of this letter. We […]
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Letter to the Editor: Clement, Thomas vote against community needs
Let’s look at the voting records of borough assembly members Gabe Thomas and Richard Clement: — Voted against approving or modifying the ordinance on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) put forth by the planning commission. This is a common first-step option used by many communities in Southeast Alaska to assist in addressing housing crises in small […]