The Haines Borough’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year includes a $6,000 pay increase for borough manager Mark Earnest. Earnest will earn $106,000 annually. He was set for a pay raise earlier this year, when Mayor Jan Hill and Haines Borough Assembly members discussed his performance at a March executive session, but the assembly did not approve the increase […]
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Recreation group to reorganize; Members quit in 2008, citing lack of effectiveness
The Haines Borough Assembly on May 10 advanced an ordinance that would form an advisory committee for parks and recreation programs, resurrecting a group that went dormant in 2008. The ordinance would re-establish the borough’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board as a committee, with more limited powers, and is scheduled for a second public hearing on Tuesday. […]
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Borough discusses taxi insurance
A Haines Borough requirement of $500,000 general liability insurance for commercial passenger vehicles is tied to the costs of medevac emergencies, borough manager Mark Earnest said at a Haines Borough Assembly commerce committee meeting last week. The committee on May 10 looked at insurance costs for taxi services in the borough, following a request from resident Ned Rozbicki. The borough’s $500,000 […]
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Town shuttle changes hands; $1 fee to be charged
Northland Excursions will provide 2011 cruise visitor shuttle services following Haines Borough Assembly approval on May 10. As of this week, though, passengers would be charged a $1 fee. The business and Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures (SEABA) submitted bids of $60 per hour to run a shuttle from the Port Chilkoot Dock. The assembly approved awarding the […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Court: Goodman out, hold new vote
Greg Goodman has lost his seat on the Haines Borough Assembly following an appeal from write-in candidate Karen Hess, according to a posting Wednesday at the Juneau Superior Court website. A Wednesday docket entry at http://www.courtrecords.alaska.gov said “the position of Haines Borough Assembly member for Seat ‘E’ is declared vacant” and “the Assembly is ordered to call another election.” When contacted […]
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Tax appeals: 32 get cut in assessments
Resident Dave Stickler’s Monday appearance before the Haines Borough Board of Equalization slashed $146,200 from the assessed value of a 25 Mile Haines Highway property intended for use as a gravel pit. Assessor Mike Renfro earlier recommended a valuation of $185,800 for the 19.8 acres. Members of the Haines Borough Assembly acting as the Board of Equalization to consider […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Borough OKs tour of mine
Rainbow Glacier Adventures is aiming to build off the success of the Discovery Channel’s reality TV series “Gold Rush: Alaska” with tours at John Schnabel’s Porcupine gold claim. The Haines Borough Assembly on April 26 approved a 2011 commercial tour permit for Joe Ordonez and Rainbow Glacier Adventures. The permit includes the new Gold Rush Tour to […]
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Borough to add utility job; discuss donations
The Haines Borough will be adding a new, full-time employee to be split between the borough’s water and sewer departments at a cost of $53,540, including benefits. At a budget committee meeting May 3, Haines Borough Assembly member Greg Goodman asked why additional staff was necessary. “We’re barely able to get the proper testing and requirements just to stay […]
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Assembly votes 4-2 for new signs
Haines Borough Assembly member Scott Rossman on April 26 again voiced his disapproval of awarding a contract to an out-of-town business for Haines signage. “I went through my whole spiel when this whole sign thing came up about how much money we’re spending on signs,” Rossman said. “I guess I don’t have a problem spending money […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Juneau the focus of redistricting meeting in Haines
A Wednesday visit from representatives of the Alaska Redistricting Board centered on what to do with Juneau as new district lines are drawn across the state. “Juneau has to go somewhere,” said resident Kathleen Menke, who endorsed a Rights Coalition plan supported by the Alaska Democratic Party. That plan drew much of the discussion Wednesday […]