Community Waste Solutions is advocating that the Haines Borough Assembly reconsider a Feb. 28 recommendation that the state regulatory commission set local garbage rates, following a three-week extension of a comment deadline. CWS representative Sally Garton told the borough’s Solid Waste Working Group March 2 that the Regulatory Commission of Alaska granted the borough a deadline extension […]
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Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Card, $25 fee proposed for sales tax exemption
The Haines Borough may require non-profit organizations to purchase an annual $25 sales tax-exempt card following a recommendation from the assembly’s Finance Committee. Currently, 80 non-profits are exempt from paying local sales tax. Committee member Tom Morphet thinks tax-exempt cards would help recoup some of those losses. Morphet initially proposed a $50 annual card. “That would raise […]
Posted inNews
Fees may fund tour promotion
With its annual marketing budget sliced from nearly $15 million to $1.5 million, the Alaska Travel Industry Association is in the early stages of raising marketing money for the state. Sarah Leonard, ATIA president, gave a presentation to the Haines Borough Tourism Advisory Board recently about creating a statewide “tourism improvement district.” A tourism improvement district is […]
Posted inNews
State trooper position moved
Alaska State Trooper Director Colonel James Cockrell wrote Haines Mayor Jan Hill last week informing her of the state’s decision to move the Haines trooper position to Bethel. Cockrell said his agency has experienced a $10 million budget reduction during the past two years and is facing a $1.4 million reduction this year along with the loss of […]
Posted inNews
Budget overrun an assembly concern
The Haines Borough Assembly questioned the police department Feb. 28 on its request for a $63,000 budget boost, asking how the department was authorized to overspend in the first place. “I think it’s important to point out that it’s unusual for a department in the borough to go over budget this much,” said assembly member Margaret Friedenauer. […]
Posted inNews, Timber
Legislation planted to save forestry job
Legislation has been introduced in the state House of Representatives to fund a forester in Haines. The forestry office, operated here since the 1960s and only seasonally staffed for the past two years, is set to close July 1. Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, proposed an amendment funding the job to House Bill 57, which deals […]
Posted inNews
Despite testimony, Muccino out
The Haines Borough school board voted 5-2 Wednesday to accept the resignation of music teacher Jason Muccino, despite testimony of about 50 students and community members who asked the board to find another way to wring savings from its budget. Members Lisa Schwartz and Brian Clay were opposed. As a cost-saving measure, Muccino was not offered a contract […]
Posted inNews
Assembly: Have state govern garbage rates
Mayor Jan Hill broke a 3-3 Haines Borough Assembly tie Tuesday to recommend that the state regulatory commission regulate trash collection rates instead of the borough. Community Waste Solutions, the town’s privately-owned trash handler, said state regulation could lead to a hike in collection fees. This action comes after the RCA set a March 2 deadline to hear a […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Run the town, don’t stir the pot
The Haines Borough Parks and Recreation Committee’s job is to address issues concerning lands and activities then make recommendations to the borough assembly. The purpose of cataloging winter recreational use in the borough is not to restrict access but to provide additional information for locals and visitors who want to get out and enjoy activities, whether it […]
Posted inNews
Growth group to be considered
The Haines Borough Assembly’s Commerce Committee will meet 6 p.m. on Monday, March 6 to consider a request for $95,000 from a newly formed Haines Economic Development Corporation. Creation of the private nonprofit was spearheaded by Haines Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Debra Schnabel, a former assembly member. In a recent interview, Schnabel said she saw the purpose […]