Today I spoke with Mayor Stephanie Scott concerning the issue of Darsie Culbeck’s appearance of a conflict of interest. I was stunned to learn the borough’s legal counsel had not been conferred with in this matter. She indicated that she will now seek legal counsel about this. Manager Mark Earnest should have, at the least, gotten a legal opinion before […]
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Posted inNews
Closed-door session on chief’s departure
The Haines Borough Assembly will hold a closed-door “debriefing” Tuesday on the process that led to the borough’s separation with former police chief Gary Lowe. The debriefing will take place in executive session during Tuesday’s regular assembly meeting and will be attended telephonically by borough attorney Brooks Chandler, Mayor Stephanie Scott said. Chandler will perform a “risk analysis” of the assembly’s […]
Posted inNews
Police: Get rid of hybrid patrol cars
The Haines Borough Police Department is looking to replace two hybrid electric patrol vehicles purchased four years ago, due to concerns about their safety, practicality, and fuel economy. Interim police chief Simon Ford told the assembly during an April 23 budget meeting that the department’s two hybrid Ford Escape SUVs, purchased for $45,000 apiece in 2009, are […]
Posted inNews, Public Safety
Police: Conviction in dog-killing case is unlikely
The odds of charging and convicting a person suspected of killing one dog and wounding another last January are slim, Haines Borough interim police chief Simon Ford said this week. Forensic test results on a bow seized from a residence and arrows removed from the dogs’ bodies came in last week, but nothing useful was found, Ford […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Courtesy to Lowe is insult to taxpayers
I understand now why the agreement between police chief Gary Lowe and the borough was kept under wraps until it was a done deal. Had we known what was being negotiated, there would have been an outcry. Why should we have to pay Lowe to leave his position after he verbally abused, bullied and intimidated his staff? […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Hold Lowe responsible for actions
Police chief Gary Lowe should be held responsible for his behavior, just as any citizen would be. If he engaged in criminal activities, he should be prosecuted. His resignation should not stop a criminal investigation if it is warranted. If his conduct was merely unsuited to his position, then he should have been dismissed. In any case, both his employees […]
Posted inNews
Lowe gets $53K in payout, paid leave
Haines Borough Police Chief Gary Lowe will receive three months of paid leave plus a $36,000 payout as part of a “negotiated separation agreement” with the Haines Borough. The agreement, signed April 8 and released Tuesday, was negotiated between manager Mark Earnest, Lowe and attorney Brooks Chandler. It allows Lowe to remain on paid leave until June 17, when […]
Posted inHaines Borough, News
Assembly approves deal for Lowe’s exit
Following 40 minutes of closed-door discussion, the Haines Borough Assembly voted unanimously Tuesday to accept a “negotiated separation agreement” with police chief Gary Lowe. Borough leaders – including assembly members, Mayor Stephanie Scott and manager Mark Earnest – this week refused to comment on the specifics of the agreement, saying those would be revealed Tuesday. Joanne Waterman called for an executive session to discuss […]
Posted inNews
‘Quasi-judicial’ hearing on Lowe April 4
The Haines Borough Assembly will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 4 to evaluate the ability of police chief Gary Lowe to perform his duties and supervise the police department. The “informal administrative hearing” will not be open to the public. The meeting will be conducted as a quasi-judicial proceeding, clerk Julie Cozzi wrote in a notice Tuesday. Borough […]
Posted inNews
Complaint: Incident is part of a history of abuse
Concerns about Haines Borough Police chief Gary Lowe include a Feb. 15 incident in which he allegedly screamed obscenities at an employee during a discussion about leave, and allegations that Lowe trained a Taser beam on officers’ chests on two separate occasions. Further, a letter the employee sent to assembly members March 13 alleges Lowe has a five-year history […]