Following the (apparent) precedent of the town hall meeting last week, I propose a second town hall meeting. The citizens of the Haines Borough could stand and lecture the borough manager. We could push information at him for 50 minutes or so, then give him a few moments to respond to the issues we’ve presented. Frankly, I […]
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Posted inLetters to the Editor
Everyone benefits from a better harbor
I support the boat harbor expansion. Everyone benefits from a better harbor. This is not just a commercial fisherman issue. The harbor is a main transportation hub for the borough. The new expanded harbor will be full as soon as it is completed. The stall waiting list is greater than the planned stalls. Financial study? […]
Posted inThank You Letters
Thanks for support of weaver’s film
Many thanks go out to Haines and Klukwan for coming out full force for the film screening of “Tracing Roots: A Weaver’s Journey” with filmmaker Ellen Frankenstein and Haida master weaver Delores Churchill. This special event could not have happened without the support of local organizations, and the Haines Borough Public Library would like to thank the Chilkoot Indian […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Base harbor moorage fees on reality
I have been the following developments involving the harbor expansion project. I’m delighted to see some Alaskans actually thinking about the notion of cost recovery in capital projects. The days of fully funding efforts such as this through state legislative and federal grants is coming to an end. The same quiet death that earmarks suffered […]
Posted inNews
State DOT plans 26 miles of chip seal this summer
The Alaska Department of Transportation will resurface 26 miles of roads in the Haines Borough over the course of two months this summer. The $2.3 million project will chip seal the roads between June 1 and Aug. 1, said DOT communications director Jeremy Woodrow. The work includes 15 miles of the Haines Highway (from 25 to 40 […]
Posted inNews
Haines teachers reject negotiated contract offer
By an 80 percent margin, Haines Borough teachers last week voted to reject a compensation proposal negotiated between union representatives and the school district. The borough school board had better luck with non-teaching employees, approving a two-year contract with those workers Tuesday that includes about a 5 percent raise for most workers. It will cost the district $130,400 total […]
Posted inNews
Assembly OKs $12 million budget including lobbyist, tax increase
Although two of its six members were absent Tuesday, the Haines Borough Assembly passed the municipality’s roughly $12 million spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year. Assembly members George Campbell, Diana Lapham, Dave Berry and Mike Case voted in favor of the budget ordinance. Assembly members Joanne Waterman and Ron Jackson were absent. The budget includes $45,000 for a […]
Posted inNews
Meeting Tuesday will decide school computer issue
The Haines Borough school board is scheduled to make a decision on its “Engaging the Future” computer initiative Tuesday, June 2. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the school library and will include an executive session to evaluate superintendent Ginger Jewell. The district currently spends roughly $30,000 annually for student and teacher computers, including replacement costs. At […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Harbor petition has been swallowed up
What has happened to the petition so many signed? First it was placed on the consent agenda, which means it was acknowledged, but no intention to discuss it. Then it was assigned to the finance committee to look at the financial picture that the community is facing in implementing the plan. The finance committee turned it over […]
Posted inHaines Borough, News
Assembly to consider phone tax Tuesday
Residents could see their phone bills going up soon if the Haines Borough Assembly approves a recommendation recently advanced by staff. The assembly introduced an ordinance last week that would add a monthly surcharge of $1.51 to every land line and cell phone in the borough. That pencils out to about $18 annually per line. The assembly […]