Beginning June 6, travelers entering Alaska can opt out of the state’s 14-day quarantine if they consent to be tested for COVID-19. The policy, announced by Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a May 29 press conference, increases the likelihood of Haines receiving port calls from small cruise ships this summer. At a May 26 Haines Borough Assembly meeting, […]
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CARES Act and capital funds buoy budget
At a meeting Tuesday night, the Haines Borough Assembly voted to use a mixture of capital funds and CARES Act coronavirus relief to address the borough’s $448,149 budget shortfall. The shortfall was created last month when Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed all of the state’s support of municipal school bond debt payments, leaving communities across Alaska with unexpected […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Town lost committed, passionate leader
I hold the Haines Borough Assembly in contempt. Debra Schnabel has managed borough affairs admirably for three years. If she is at fault for anything relevant, the assembly might first look to themselves. The assembly has the responsibility as a unit to review Debra periodically and give feedback. Prompt is best. As a citizen, I fault the assembly first […]
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Assembly narrowly fires manager: mayor breaks tie
The Haines Borough Assembly voted Tuesday evening to fire borough manager Debra Schnabel without cause, with Mayor Jan Hill breaking a 3-3 tie vote. Assembly member Jerry Lapp, Stephanie Scott and Zephyr Sincerny were opposed to the motion to fire Schnabel while members Paul Rogers, Brenda Josephson, Gabe Thomas and Jan Hill voted in support. The assembly met in executive session with its attorney for more than […]
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CARES Act could buy Chilkat Center another year
The Chilkat Center for the Arts is on the chopping block for the fiscal year beginning July 1. CARES Act coronavirus relief funding may offer the assembly an alternative to eliminating the facility from the borough’s budget. During budget discussions this spring, assembly members have said that cuts will be necessary to compensate for an […]
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Haines poised to receive $2 million in COVID-19 relief
At an ad hoc meeting on Monday, Haines Borough Assembly members identified five potential spending categories for the $4 million in CARES Act funding the borough is scheduled to receive—emergency and medical response, direct support for individuals, grants for small businesses, coronavirus testing and food security. On March 27, the U.S. Congress passed the CARES Act, including […]
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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, […]