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 […]
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Assembly softens crab letter terms
The Haines Borough Assembly voted unanimously Tuesday to remove mention of an emergency closure to the local Dungeness crab fishery from a letter to the Department of Fish and Game. In the original letter, Mayor Stephanie Scott expressed concern that human and sea otter pressure on the fishery will ultimately decimate the crab biomass and prevent sustainable commercial, subsistence and […]
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Bury utility lines?
Utility lines strung along Main Street, Third Avenue and the waterfront are a concern for some Haines Borough Assembly members, but the path to getting those lines buried is unclear. Assembly member Debra Schnabel said Tuesday she was disheartened the borough didn’t pursue buried power lines on the construction project at Beach Road and Old Haines Highway. “I don’t […]
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Committee chosen to oversee heli-ski map boundaries
Sixteen residents and two heli-ski companies have submitted proposals to the Haines Borough regarding alterations to the heli-skiing map. Residents who submitted proposals were entered into a drawing to determine which resident would represent the public on a five-member map committee. The committee will meet at noon for the next three Fridays to discuss the […]
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Effort looks at trapping rules in other towns
The Haines Borough Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee is moving forward with plans to regulate trapping in the townsite and will start by researching high-use areas where trappers and recreationists tend to collide. Ron Jackson, vice chair of the committee, said the group is trying to stimulate discussion about areas that might need protection from trapping. Jackson […]
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Herbicide rules raise concerns
A local conservation group is working with Haines Borough Mayor Stephanie Scott to address the potential use of herbicides and pesticides on state lands. In response to a recent change in state law that eliminates public review and a Department of Environmental Conservation permitting requirement for using chemicals on state land, Lynn Canal Conservation is asking the borough to consider how […]
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Parking enforcement will regain teeth
Illegally-parked Haines motorists could soon see an unwelcome surprise tucked under their windshield wiper. The Haines Borough is considering an ordinance that would allow police officers to write parking tickets outside of a motorist’s presence. Under current law, officers are required to physically hand the ticket to the violator, making it extremely difficult to effectively police illegal […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Connelly a concern for fisherman
I’m a fan of hydro power and the clean energy it provides. But, as a commercial fisherman, I’m against Alaska Power & Telephone’s Connelly Lake dam. No matter how much research is done, there’s no guarantee the dam won’t harm the fisheries. AP&T’s reports estimated the value of the Chilkoot River system fishery at more than $1 […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Skateboarder proud to be a criminal
My name is Russell Evans and I am proud to call myself a criminal. In a society that outlaws such basic freedoms as sitting on the sidewalk to rest when you’re tired, gathering in public space to share food and ideas, or skateboarding down empty streets, the more criminals we have the stronger our democracy […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Let Patty Brown teach science
The No Child Left Behind Act calls for our children to be taught by teachers that are “highly qualified” in the field they teach. Our president recognizes the need for our children to be better educated in science as we are ranked behind many other countries. Haines Borough School District is advertising for a science/math teacher for […]