Spring cleanup gives Haines an annual reminder of how our so-called “system” of waste and recycling management is antiquated and dysfunctional. It’s antiquated in the sense that generations ago America’s towns and cities realized that pooling together and requiring all residents to pay for a basic, mutually agreed upon trash service keeps communities cleaner, provides better […]
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Freeride’s partner search will plumb deep pockets
Haines has a strong calling card for hosting extreme ski events like the Freeride World Tour, but gaining the level of sponsorship sought by the event may be a steep climb, even at the statewide level, marketing and other officials said this week. Freeride officials plan to come to Alaska in the coming months, in […]
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Assembly rejects manager’s $50K spending cap
An ordinance that would have increased the Haines Borough manager’s emergency spending limit to $50,000 was dead on arrival last week when an assembly vote failed to introduce the legislation. A motion to introduce the ordinance failed 3-2, with members Tresham Gregg and George Campbell opposed. Assembly member Mike Case was absent. Motions need at least four […]
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Few changes for draft borough budget
After several committee meetings and hours of discussion, it doesn’t seem like Haines Borough Assembly members will be proposing many changes to interim manager Brad Ryan’s draft $12 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Assembly members have mainly used the hours-long sessions as venues for sounding off on previously stated opinions, asking questions of department heads […]
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Chamber study quantifies nonprofit contributions
The financial impact of local nonprofits has come to the fore of political discussions in recent years, as state and federal funds dwindle and the Haines Borough questions what role it should take in supporting the organizations. A new report released by the Haines Chamber of Commerce offers perspective on how nonprofits contribute to the community through […]
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Guns drawn: Cops give account of Small Tracts run-in
A Haines Borough police officer who allegedly drew his gun on a resident last week said he was responding to coming around a house and seeing a pistol “stick straight out and fire.” Officer Brayton Long and Alaska State Trooper Drew Neason responded at 4:30 p.m. April 26 to a 911 call reporting gunshots at 1266 Small […]
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Thomas claims role in saving sewer funds
The Haines Borough Assembly received an update from lobbyist Bill Thomas last week, and interim manager Brad Ryan has included funding for the position in the upcoming year’s budget. But whether Thomas’s $45,000 presence in Juneau saw any real return for the municipality is still a matter for debate. The main gist of Thomas’s nearly half-hour update was, “There’s […]
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Borough rehires Walsh, but for EMT job
Three months after she was dismissed from the training officer position at the Haines Borough Volunteer Fire Department, Jenn Walsh is returning as an EMT/firefighter. Walsh, who has continued volunteering with the department since her dismissal in February, will start back on the job as a paid staff member Monday. Interim manager Brad Ryan sent out a […]
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Two manager candidates withdraw, 2 added for interview
Two finalists for the Haines Borough manager position have withdrawn their candidacies, including Dennis Koenig, the La Jara, Colo., city manager who came under fierce public scrutiny when community members were made aware of crass posts Koenig made on a public social media page. Finalist Ken Decker, county administrator of Caroline County, Md., also withdrew from […]
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Chamber pushes council model for economy
The Haines Chamber of Commerce is continuing to push its goal of establishing a local economic development council, though it still needs to convince the Haines Borough to get on board with the idea. Mike Healy, president of the Skagway Development Corporation, recently spoke to the chamber about the benefits of an economic development council, which essentially […]