A petition circulating around town this week asked the Haines Borough to suspend design work on the harbor expansion project to allow for more public review and “an economic analysis of the project as currently described.” Tresham Gregg, an artist and lifelong resident, was circulating the petition. “The borough says it’s already too late, but that’s not […]
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Posted inNews
Proposal to eliminate comment period dies
An ordinance that would have cut the second public comment period at Haines Borough Assembly meetings has died. Assembly member Mike Case proposed the ordinance with Mayor Jan Hill’s endorsement. Before it could be introduced on April 14 at the assembly level, it was pulled from the agenda and sent to the Government Affairs and Services Committee due to […]
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Borough budget hearings set for May 12, May 26
The Haines Borough Assembly introduced the upcoming year’s budget Tuesday to little fanfare. The budget ordinance will have its first public hearing May 12, its second on May 26, and a potential third hearing June 9. These hearings are the public’s opportunity to comment on the document that will determine borough spending in the upcoming year. Haines […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
SEABA rigged results of noise study
The Haines Borough has received multiple complaints regarding commercial helicopters using the temporary heliport at 26 Mile. Complaints and borough responses are posted on the borough website. In response to eyewitness testimony, it appears the borough expended great efforts to disprove citizens’ observations, rather than to fairly evaluate which of our laws were broken, when, and by whom. Examination […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Scrutiny needed on borough’s budget
On April 28, the assembly introduced the manager’s proposed budget for 2016. This budget will set the borough’s direction for its activities during 2016. The assembly has reviewed it during the last few weeks, and now it is time for the public to weigh in with their thoughts. Public hearings on it will take place […]
Posted inNews
New restaurant, bar in planning for waterfront
A Haines corporation has applied for an Army Corps of Engineers permit to discharge 27,000 cubic yards of fill into Portage Cove for construction of a restaurant/bar, recreational vehicle park, marine repair and boat storage facility, and office/retail space along the waterfront. The application is by Front Street LLC, owned 85 percent by Roger Schnabel […]
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Borough to enforce sign law
“This is one ordinance that I would very much like to see resolved, once and for all.” – Mark Earnest, on proposed changes to the Haines Borough’s sign ordinance, Nov. 10, 2011 After four years of unresolved discussions on how to change its sign ordinance to accommodate existing signs, the Haines Borough is moving ahead with plans to […]
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Town ‘Clean Sweep’ hits streets on Monday
“Operation: Clean Sweep,” the town’s annual roadside cleanup effort, starts Monday and runs through May 9, with targeted cleanup efforts May 1-2. An organized town cleanup is a spring tradition that dates back 100 years in Haines, and Chamber of Commerce executive director Debra Schnabel said she’s hoping citizens will pitch in again this year. Besides prizes […]
Posted inHaines Borough, News
Assembly rejects last-minute bid to slow harbor project
An attempt by a Haines Borough Assembly member to hit “pause” on the Small Boat Harbor expansion project until several financial questions are answered was shot down by the assembly last week. Member Ron Jackson tried to have the assembly reconsider its March 24 vote against extending the public comment period on the 65 percent design of […]
Posted inNews
On harbor issue, planners voice support, concerns
A discussion of Haines Borough planning commissioners last week reflected apparent support for the municipality’s harbor expansion plan, but members Lee Heinmiller and Heather Lende cited multiple concerns. Commissioners also roundly criticized the public process surrounding the project, which only obliquely involved planners during the first third of the project’s design process and skipped them entirely last […]