The Haines Borough Planning Commission is trying to put setback limits on development in general use zones, but some assembly members are skeptical about the ramifications of such a change. The commission is proposing any industrial development on general use land require a 50-foot setback from residential lots. The ordinance, if passed, would also require residences in […]
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No headhunting for manager job
The Haines Borough Assembly will not hire a headhunting firm to find the municipality’s next manager, but will instead conduct the hiring process itself. The assembly voted 5-0 Tuesday to move ahead with advertising the position without the assistance of an outside firm. Assembly member Debra Schnabel recused herself from voting as she intends to submit an application for […]
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Gov. Parnell to visit
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell will make a social call to Haines Tuesday for a half-day visit, including stops at the American Bald Eagle Foundation and Haines School. He will visit Ketchikan before stopping in Haines, and then head to Skagway Tuesday afternoon before returning to Juneau. Parnell is seeking re-election in 2014. Parnell’s press secretary, Sharon Leighow, […]
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Borough may get help on manager hire
The Haines Borough Assembly appears to be leaning toward hiring a headhunting firm to find the municipality’s next manager, but assembly members still want some details hammered out first. The assembly met Monday as a committee of the whole to discuss how to move forward with the hiring of a new manager. Manager Mark Earnest said last week he’d […]
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Earnest says he’s leaving
The Haines Borough Assembly on Wednesday approved 5-1 the resignation of manager Mark Earnest. Member Norm Smith, a longtime Earnest critic, opposed the motion without comment. “I truly want to spend more time with my wife and son. I’ve been missing a good part of his development and maturity and it’s becoming very important to me now,” Earnest said […]
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Goll, Thomas pen critique of highway plan
Haines Borough Assembly members Tuesday hashed out a position on the state’s plans for widening the Haines Highway, incorporating verbiage from a joint statement issued by former state representatives Bill Thomas and Peter Goll. The Department of Transportation plan to widen the road between 3.5 and 25.3 Mile came under fiery criticism last week for only superficially […]
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Aspen Hotels looks at 5th and Main site
A statewide hotel chain is “very serious” about buying Main Street property to build a 50-room hotel, but Haines Borough leaders will have to decide whether they want to sell the 1.21-acre lot the company wants for its site. Aspen Management LLC submitted an application in July to purchase two lots of the old primary school land […]
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Lapp seeks meeting time limits
Haines Borough Assembly member Jerry Lapp wants to outlaw long meetings. Lapp introduced an ordinance last week that, if passed, would end regular and special assembly meetings at 9:45 p.m. If the assembly wanted to allow the meeting to carry on into the night, four members would have to vote to continue. Mayor Stephanie Scott said she has no […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly approves pay hikes
The Haines Borough Assembly on Tuesday approved raises and benefits for employees that will cost, on average, at least an additional $165,000 annually during the next three years. The assembly unanimously approved the contract negotiated by workers’ union Local 71 and a negotiating team of borough leaders. The borough’s negotiating team included chief fiscal officer Jila Stuart, mayor Stephanie […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly to consider raises Tuesday
Where an extra $151,000 for borough employee wages and benefits will come from is a concern for some assembly members, though Haines Borough manager Mark Earnest said the municipality would be able to sustain the increases if the assembly approves a recently renegotiated union contract Tuesday. The assembly will decide Tuesday whether to approve a package of raises and health […]