In the June 13 edition of the Chilkat Valley News, Haines Borough Manager Mark Earnest made the statement that he was “losing leave” because he couldn’t get out of his office due to his workload. Isn’t there a very good chance that he is compensated for any and all leave he is entitled to, but is unable to take? […]
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Posted inNews
AP&T drops effort for Connelly hydro
Alaska Power and Telephone pulled the plug on the Connelly Lake hydroelectric project, surrendering its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) preliminary permit for the project June 13. The primary factor in the company’s decision is that existing demand for power isn’t sufficient to build the project and maintain or lower local rates, said project manager Glen […]
Posted inNews
Carver aims message at youths
Master carver Wayne Price of Haines this week resumed carving a dugout canoe that languished on his studio’s front porch for nearly a decade. The project is a significant one for Price, as the idea for it came from an experience that changed his life. Nine years ago, Price was taking a course at the […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Election ballot likely to change
The push to change local election procedures continues with the Haines Borough Assembly still split down the middle on whether to switch from a seat system to a roster-style ballot. Mayor Stephanie Scott has repeatedly broken ties between the assembly members on whether to advance the ordinance which would make the change. Members Debra Schnabel, Joanne Waterman and Norm Smith have consistently voted for […]
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Borough to estimate cost of buried wires
During a special meeting convened Friday, the Haines Borough Assembly directed manager Mark Earnest to research cost estimates for burying power lines near the intersection of Front Street and the Old Haines Highway. Assembly members Norm Smith, Joanne Waterman and Steve Vick called the special meeting to discuss what Smith called the “power pole debacle.” Alaska Power and Telephone recently relocated several large power […]
Posted inElections, News
Redistricting on assembly agenda
Haines Borough Mayor Stephanie Scott said this week she will ask the assembly whether it wants to weigh in on where Haines should fall in new redistricting plans. The Alaska Redistricting Board is currently holding map work sessions to redraw district boundaries ruled unconstitutional by the Alaska Supreme Court. Initially lumped in with Juneau, Skagway and Gustavus, Haines […]
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Residents react to Connelly Lake decision
Residents and organizations in Haines have debated the merits and drawbacks of Alaska Power and Telephone’s proposed hydroelectric project at Connelly Lake for at least three years. When the utility announced last week it would stop pursuing the project for the time being and surrender its preliminary permit, some celebrated and others fretted: Jerry Lapp (Haines Borough […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Friends help locate stolen kayak
Thank you to everyone who helped me look for, and find, my kayak. I’m impressed by the number of you who helped me as I tried to track it down. From actively helping me search for it, along the coast, and door to door – to simply spreading the word and keeping a lookout for […]
Posted inNews
Budget: $12.2 million, reduction in tax rates
On a 4-2 vote, the Haines Borough Assembly approved its $12.2 million spending plan for the coming year Tuesday, including a reduction in the property tax rate inside and outside the townsite. Townsite landowners will pay 10.17 mills under the new budget, down from 10.79 mills last year. The base property tax rate outside the townsite was […]
Posted inNews
Manager contract talk heats up
Discussion of Haines Borough Manager Mark Earnest’s contract became heated Monday, prompting an assembly member to request police presence at the personnel committee meeting due to an “unruly” audience. Seven residents spoke at the meeting, with their complaints ranging from Earnest’s “ridiculous” amount of leave time to his perceived mishandling of borough issues. Annie Boyce voiced concerns […]