Haines Borough Police Chief Bill Musser explained some of his policies on release of information at last week’s Public Safety Commission meeting after committee and audience members urged increased communication between the department and the public. Recent friction between Musser and the media over release of information brought the issue to a head at the […]
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HARK board removes its executive director
The Haines Animal Rescue Kennel is back to looking for a new executive director and animal control officer. The nonprofit recently fired executive director Nicole Swensgard, said HARK board president Tara Bicknell. Animal control officer Madeline Nicholl will be leaving HARK in about a month to pursue other career opportunities, Bicknell said. Bicknell said Swensgard […]
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Borough designates downtown boat yard
The Haines Borough is taking the first step toward a downtown municipal boat yard, a facility supporters say will help keep money in town during the winter. Harbormaster Phil Benner said as many as 12 boats can be stored in a vacant, beachfront lot south of the ice machine during the coming winter. The borough has purchased […]
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Brewery construction pending
The Haines Brewing Company has signed a contract with the Haines Borough for purchase of 20,000 square feet of Main Street property. The assembly voted 5-1 at its Aug. 26 meeting to approve the sale of the property. Assembly member George Campbell cast the lone dissenting vote. Brewery co-owner Jeanne Kitayama said construction will likely start this […]
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Borough plans downtown ice rink
The basketball court at the former elementary school site will be transformed into a downtown ice skating rink this winter. Haines Borough Public Facilities Director Carlos Jimenez spearheaded the project, which will establish a 59-by-42-foot rudimentary ice rink over the existing basketball court. The rink will be partially enclosed by two-by-fours but left open on the […]
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Mine summit leans to port partnership
A private-public partnership to restore the Chilkoot Lumber Co. dock as an ore terminal was floated as a potential model at the Haines Port Development Council’s second “summit” on mining, transportation and tourism at the American Bald Eagle Foundation Sept. 25. The meeting included Canadian government and mining company officials, state Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, Alaska Department […]
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School extends paid vacations
The Haines Borough school board voted 5-2 Tuesday to give as much as six weeks of annual paid vacation leave to three janitorial and maintenance workers. Members Brenda Josephson and Lisa Schwartz were opposed. The benefits match ones made to the district’s secretary and business manager in June, a move that angered some teachers who said they were […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Develop in appropriate places
In his letter to the Haines Borough Planning Commission regarding their approval of three heli-pads at 10 Mile that appeared in the Sept. 25, 2014 edition of the Chilkat Valley News, Drew Degen spoke clearly, forcefully and logically. The seemingly casual way in which the commission gave approval for this construction, i.e., without the builder’s disclosure of the plans and need […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Airport is the spot for helicopters
Drew Degen is superbly correct with well-written detail regarding the Haines Borough Planning Commission’s conditional use permit issued to John Floreske for three helipads at 10 Mile Haines Highway. I ask that the planning commission reconsider and reject out of hand Floreske’s non-disclosure of his plan for usage. At the bare minimum, he needs to lay out the […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Heliport site is unsafe
Thanks to Drew Degen for his commentary. No one makes compliments regarding Mr. Floreske and his business dealings with those unfortunate residents who were forced to participate in his water system, or his illegal filling of wetland/salmon habitat. My concerns have to do with the safety of his helicopter landing zone proposal. Over many years […]