The Haines Borough Assembly voted 5-1 Tuesday for a $55,000 settlement with former manager Bill Seward. Seward threatened a wrongful termination lawsuit against the borough and accused assembly members of character defamation, racial discrimination and violating his constitutional rights. “Regardless of the validity of these claims, there are always significant costs and risks associated with resolving employment […]
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Morphet releases police complaints
Assembly member Tom Morphet made public four complaints against Haines Police officers Tuesday, leading some members to question his methods despite an assembly vote of 5-1 to investigate the claims. “The Haines Borough Assembly, we this body, are being asked to approve a 29 percent increase in police funding,” Morphet said. “Before voting to increase the department’s funding […]
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Recall aimed at 3 on assembly
Ten Haines residents have launched a recall petition against Haines Borough Assembly members Heather Lende, Tresham Gregg and Tom Morphet. Borough clerk Julie Cozzi received the petitions, co-sponsored by Don Turner Jr. and Ryan Cook, Wednesday afternoon. Cook and Turner cite unverified quotations from emails between borough employees and between assembly members as evidence that assembly members […]
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A look at economic development councils in region
As the Haines Borough Assembly wades through its budget for the coming year, it will consider a request for $95,000 in funding for a new Haines Economic Development Corporation. Economic development organizations exist across Southeast Alaskan communities, but they’re structured, funded and utilized in differing ways. The Haines Borough has intermittently employed economic development directors since the 1 percent […]
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No funding in sight for Excursion bridge
A bridge at Excursion Inlet that connects the Ocean Beauty Seafoods cannery to its water source has been closed, with no funding for repairs in sight. The Haines Borough Assembly discussed funding options at its meeting March 28. The U.S. Forest Service closed the bridge, which provided vehicle access to Neva Lake. Ocean Beauty draws its water […]
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Borough meetings on police service outside of townsite
A bridge at Excursion Inlet that connects the Ocean Beauty Seafoods cannery to its water source has been closed, with no funding for repairs in sight. The Haines Borough Assembly discussed funding options at its meeting March 28. The U.S. Forest Service closed the bridge, which provided vehicle access to Neva Lake. Ocean Beauty draws its water […]
Posted inNews, School Board
Mosquito Lake School to get advisory board
The Haines Borough Assembly Tuesday approved a new advisory board to the Mosquito Lake School Community Center, but didn’t follow recommendations by the borough’s government affairs and services committee to renovate the building’s air-handling system and to agree to not sell the facility for at least three years. It costs around $29,000 to keep the community center […]
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Assembly votes for details in budget
The Haines Borough Assembly also voted 4-1 to direct borough staff to prepare printed budgets as it did in the past with tabs and with more detailed financial worksheets. Assembly member Tom Morphet made the motion and said the details are important for public scrutiny. Ryan said the details would backfire on the staff and assembly and […]
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Schnabel permit OK’d, with conditions
Resident Ella Bredthauer said this week she would take a wait-and-see approach to a permit for blasting and hauling rock through her residential subdivision atop Young Road. Bredthauer made a detailed, hour-long case against the permit during an appeal to the Haines Borough Assembly last week, saying it violated code and the borough’s comprehensive plan and that […]
Posted inNews, Public Safety
Police budget boosted by $63KPolice budget boosted by $63KPolice budget boosted by $63K
The Haines Borough Assembly voted 5-1 to provide its police department an additional $63,000 for recent and anticipated personnel costs in excess of the department’s budget for the current year. Starting in December, chief Heath Scott pushed for the increase, saying it was needed due to an increase in cases and emergency calls from up the highway. […]