The Haines Borough has grown by nearly 4.5 percent in the past two years, but state demographers are saying the current population of 2,620 has likely flat-lined and will not grow substantially beyond that for the next several decades. The borough expanded from 2,508 people to 2,620 between 2010 to 2012, according to recently released population estimates […]
Search results
Posted inNews
Borough OKs permit for Alaska Heliskiing
Alaska Heliskiing broke state law, Haines Borough code and its own safety plan during a season that included the deaths of a client and guide, but its violations “do not rise to a level of ‘substantial noncompliance’” for revoking the company’s tour permit, clerk Julie Cozzi ruled this week. “I do not view commercial tour permits as […]
Posted inNews
Firehall building structurally OK
The Haines Borough public safety building’s physical structure is in fair to good shape, according to a draft report recently released by PND Engineers, Inc. The building as a whole, including its electrical and mechanical systems, was rated as “poor” by Anchorage-based architectural firm McCool Carlson Green last fall. Manager Mark Earnest said the borough decided to conduct an […]
Posted inNews
School ventilators at end of service life
Air-exchange units in Haines High School’s relocated art room that are loud and interfering with teaching need to be replaced, according to facilities director Carlos Jimenez. Replacing the equipment may cost as much as $303,000, but Jimenez said this week he’d pursue a short-term fix including replacing motors, belts and “vibration isolators,” a less expensive […]
Posted inNews
Borough, union to negotiate new contract
The Haines Borough has put together its bargaining team for upcoming negotiations with the Local 71 Union regarding a new collective bargaining agreement for borough workers. The current, three-year agreement expires June 30, 2013. The borough’s team consists of Mayor Stephanie Scott, personnel committee chair Joanne Waterman, borough manager Mark Earnest, chief fiscal officer Jila Stuart and police chief Gary Lowe. Earnest […]
Posted inNews
Assembly to review executive sessions
A Jan. 22 closed-door meeting of the Haines Borough Assembly may have violated Alaska’s Open Meetings Act and borough code, according to borough officials. Assembly members met as a committee of the whole prior to the regular assembly meeting and effectively extended borough manager Mark Earnest’s contract until July 2014 by determining he achieved a “satisfactory” performance […]
Posted inNews
Meter-reading gear aims at saving time
The purchase of new water meter technology will help make the Haines Borough more efficient and represents a step toward expanding metered service to residences on the borough water system, borough officials say. The borough assembly recently authorized the manager to engage in a $26,000 contract with Ferguson Waterworks for the purchase and installation of new equipment […]
Posted inNews
Contract includes 48 days of leave
In June 2012, Haines Borough Assembly member Debra Schnabel asked Mayor Stephanie Scott for a report on manager Mark Earnest’s accrued and used leave. Schnabel was concerned about Earnest’s frequent absences. Schnabel learned Earnest hadn’t come close to depleting the paid time off his contract allows. According to his $108,000 annual contract, Earnest may take 48 paid days off per year, not […]
Posted inNews
Trooper vacancy may last through summer
Despite pressure from Haines Borough officials, it’s not looking like the Department of Public Safety will fill Haines’ second trooper position any time soon. Southeast Deputy Commander Lt. Rodney Dial said this week he “optimistically” hopes the position can be filled by fall. The state trooper position in Haines has been vacant for eight months, causing wildlife […]
Posted inNews
What’s up with local gas price?
Motorists may get a break in what they’re paying at the pump with the arrival of a fuel barge here in 10 days. Or not. Haines Borough Assembly member Dave Berry raised the issue of gas prices at this week’s assembly meeting, asking why they’re not dropping the way they are in the Lower 48. “It’s […]