State Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines, has been elevated to co-chair of the House Finance Committee for the 27th Alaska Legislature. Thomas will coordinate agency budget subcommittees and will help review, amend and carry the state’s operating budget bills in the House the next two years. He replaces former co-chair Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, who became ill. “My […]
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Posted inNews
Voters lean left and right
The Chilkat Valley mostly followed statewide trends in Tuesday’s general election, although Haines townsite voters tilted more Democratic and Klukwan leaned more Republican than Alaska and districtwide averages. In the three-way race for the U.S. Senate seat, Haines voters split between Democrat Scott McAdams and write-ins presumably for Republican Lisa Murkowski, 37 percent each. Republican Joe Miller […]
Posted inNews
Thomas responds to APOC complaint
State Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines, this week gave his account of the history of an advertising campaign the state’s public offices commission is investigating for irregularities, including an alleged failure to report the ads as part of his re-election campaign. Thomas testified to the Alaska Public Offices Commission about the matter last week. “APOC asked me […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Thomas’ ads were deceitful
The paid political ads of Rep. Bill Thomas are deceitful and an insult to the voters of Haines. While the political ad campaign pretends to be a spontaneous outpouring of gratitude from a number of Haines businesses, it is instead a carefully coordinated scheme by Thomas and his campaign officers to trick Haines voters. It is also […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Beedle is deserving of support
Robert Beedle, a lifelong Alaskan and current member of the Cordova City Council, visited Haines to speak with folks about his campaign for a second time last week. He is running for the District 5 seat now held by Bill Thomas. We were fortunate to get to speak with him during his visits. We are impressed […]
Posted inNews, Elections
State election Tuesday
Voters will cast ballots in Alaska’s general election Tuesday. Poll hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the American Bald Eagle Foundation, Klehini Valley Fire Hall and Klukwan’s tribal house. The ballot includes five candidates for the U.S. Senate. Republican incumbent Lisa Murkowski is running a write-in campaign in a three-way race with Republican Joe […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Beedle, Thomas square off for District 5 House seat
Republican state Rep. Bill Thomas and his Democratic challenger Robert Beedle sounded similar themes but differed on specifics during recent interviews. Thomas, 63, is a Haines fisherman and former lobbyist seeking a fourth term. Beedle, 52, is a Cordova fisherman and refrigerator mechanic who serves on the Cordova city council. Beedle said Thomas is too closely allied […]
Posted inNews
APOC complaint targets Thomas ads; Activist says reporting wasn’t done
The Alaska Public Offices Commission is investigating a complaint by an Anchorage activist that an advertising campaign on behalf of state Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines, violated campaign reporting regulations. The 12 ads placed in the Chilkat Valley News were organized by Haines resident Jim Studley, who serves as deputy treasurer of Thomas’ re-election campaign. The ads […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Family appreciates lawmaker’s kindness
As avid readers of the CVN, both in paper form and on-line, we noticed a series of ads being run that thank Rep. Bill Thomas for his hard work and job well done. We would like to seize the opportunity to also join in and thank Mr. Thomas for his caring attitude and hard work in supporting […]
Posted inSoutheast News, Search and Rescue
Coast Guard, DEC probe Lutak oil spill
U.S. Coast Guard officials came to Haines Tuesday to investigate an oily discharge that persisted for three days near the Lutak Dock. Described as a “mystery sheen” by the Coast Guard, ferry terminal workers this week said they suspected the source may have been two barges or a tugboat that had been moored against the dock since […]