Haines, along with municipalities across the state, is considering alternative options for holding local elections this year given COVID-19 concerns. Haines Borough clerk Alekka Fullerton said she will likely request that the assembly pass an ordinance granting her emergency powers to change election protocol this year if necessary. According to state law and borough code, Fullerton […]
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HEDC will continue without the support of the borough
Haines Economic Development Corporation board members are trying to figure out what the organization will look like without financial support from the Haines Borough. On May 12, assembly members voted to eliminate the borough’s roughly $95,000 annual contribution to HEDC which, at present, constitutes the organization’s entire operating budget. At a meeting on May 14, HEDC […]
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Assembly discusses $400K shortfall
There’s still a $400,000 hole in the proposed Haines Borough budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The deficit was created by the loss of state support for school bond debt. At a budget meeting on Monday, assembly members discussed options for addressing the shortfall. In past years, the state typically paid for 70% of municipal school bond […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
District staff met challenge of pandemic
As we wrap up the academic year, the school board wants to thank many people for their contributions to tackling the unanticipated challenges faced by the school this year. We want to start by thanking our superintendent, Roy Getchell. Roy’s tireless quest to make thoughtful decisions and communicate effectively is a major asset to the Haines School. […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Borough should make cuts across the board
Honorable Mayor, Assembly Members and Staff, I thank you all for your time spent to represent the people that live here. I applaud your effort to establish and maintain a balanced budget. If the Haines Borough Government needs to spend less money, I ask that all government spending be cut evenly. Please do not cut spending in a […]
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Assembly suspends manager with pay
The Haines Borough Assembly voted 4-2 at its regular meeting Tuesday to suspend borough manager Debra Schnabel with pay. The assembly will hold an executive session and will meet with the borough attorney to consider “the necessary steps to terminate the manager without cause.” Assembly members Paul Rogers, Brenda Josephson, Gabe Thomas and Jerry Lapp were in favor while members Stephanie Scott and […]
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Assembly cuts funding for HEDC, library and museum
On Tuesday, the Haines Borough Assembly amended the working draft of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year to reflect a 50% reduction in sales tax revenue. To offset the reduction, the draft includes several cuts including an anticipated one-month library closure in the fall or winter; a year-long closure of the museum to the public; elimination […]
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CIA begins planning for cultural center
A cultural center for the Chilkoot Indian Association is in the early stages of development. This winter, CIA was selected as one of nine communities out of a pool of 40 applicants to participate in “Culture Builds Community: Facilitating the Planning and Construction of Native Museums.” Administered by the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Haines is infected with childish notions of blame
Get out the PPEs! Send in the doctor! The Haines Borough Assembly is contagious, infected by the isolation pandemic, intent on spreading the virus of blaming, negativity, character assassination, and downright mean-spirited posturing rife with “I’m right. You’re wrong”. We the people of Haines are the not-so-innocent victims. By the tone and language of the slow-spreading, phantom, […]
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More businesses open their doors as others limit customers
More businesses have opened their doors as phase two of the state’s Reopen Alaska Responsibly plan took effect last Friday, but others are still closed to customers. Retail stores, swimming pools, restaurants and other non-essential businesses were allowed to open to 50 percent capacity. Personal care services were allowed to serve up to 20 customers, […]