Alaska Excursions’ owner Robert Murphy defended his company’s operation and reputation during a public hearing where he appealed the Haines Borough’s denial of a tour permit renewal over failing to register canoes. This time last year, about 10 former employees publicly criticized the company’s safety and maintenance practices when Murphy applied for a new tour […]
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Assembly split on water main extension
A resolution to authorize the upgrade of a water main on Mathias Avenue failed this week when assembly members Tom Morphet and Brenda Josephson said they didn’t agree with the terms. In January, borough manager Debra Schnabel proposed a deal with property owners Yuri Baykov and Norm and Suzanne Smith to buy into a water main upgrade […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Amazon collecting borough sales tax
Observant Haines shoppers have seen a 5.5 percent price increase to certain Amazon purchases after the company started charging borough sales tax on products beginning Jan. 1, 2019. Borough finance director Jila Stuart told the CVN this week that some residents have called the borough recently, complaining that they were being taxed on some of […]
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Tourism industry leaders lash out at permit fee increase proposal
Borough Manager Debra Schnabel opened Tuesday night’s commerce committee meeting with an assurance to the tourism industry that “this administration is ready to work with you” and a request not to leave with an arrow in her back. More than ten tour operators attended the meeting ready to protest Schnabel’s proposed permitting code. The new permit fee […]
Posted inNews, Public Safety
Handlers cite benefits, drawbacks of police dogs
While Alaska police-canine handlers vouched for their dogs’ ability to act as a deterrent and assist with illegal drug seizures, their endorsement comes with a warning: if you own a police dog, don’t leave your dirty laundry lying around. The Haines Borough Assembly voted unanimously last week to direct borough manager Debra Schnabel to “research and report on the […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly approves Alaska Excursions ATV permit
In a 4-1 vote, the Haines Borough Assembly approved the renewal of Alaska Excursions’ Glacier Point ATV permit that prompted questions about how far the assembly should reach as it regulates tour operators. The tour company’s permit was approved with conditions that it reduce its capacity, make its safety plan public, provide a human waste disposal plan […]
Posted inNews, Public Safety
Police officials at ‘highest levels’ discuss request for Trooper post
The Haines Borough Assembly’s letter to Alaska State Troopers refusing to violate its own charter by providing borough-wide police protection “adds to the conversation the Department of Public Safety will have at the highest levels,” according to Alaska State Trooper’s former acting director Major Andrew Greenstreet. At a Jan. 8 assembly meeting, the borough assembly unanimously voted […]
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Sewer plant, harbor among assembly project priorities
The Haines Borough Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on Tuesday approving capital project and state funding priorities. Completing improvements to the sewage treatment plant, securing moorage floats for the boat harbor expansion and re-building Second Avenue between Main Street and Mud Bay Road topped the list. Debra Schnabel said that the list of six capital budget items was […]
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Assembly to consider renowned firm for Portage Cove Trail design
After an hour-long discussion on Thursday, the planning commission unanimously voted to recommend that the assembly bring an internationally recognized architectural firm to Haines for design of the Portage Cove Trail. The firm, James Corner Field Operations, is responsible for New York City’s High Line green space, Seattle’s Waterfront Park, as well as parks in […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly approves $30,000 design for chamber in library
In its final public hearing, Mayor Jan Hill broke a tie vote during Tuesday’s assembly meeting in favor of spending $30,000 for a design that would incorporate the assembly chambers into the library expansion plan. The decision to spend the money has divided the assembly since October when the proposal was introduced and recommended by borough manager Debra Schnabel. […]