Three new candidates will vie for two open seats on the Haines Borough Assembly alongside incumbent Diana Lapham and challengers Judy Erekson and Heather Lende, who already filed. Chilkat Valley News publisher Tom Morphet, commercial fisherman Ryan Cook and Moose Horn Laundry owner Leonard Dubber filed their candidacy paperwork with the borough before Friday’s 5 p.m. deadline […]
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Posted inNews
Assembly holds off on nonprofit funding
The Haines Borough Assembly stalled appropriations for local nonprofits Tuesday, delaying discussion of any funding for three months. The group also adopted new rules for making changes to commercial heli-ski maps used by tour operators. Assembly member Margaret Friedenauer urged the group to officially designate $32,500 in assembly appropriations in the general fund, $15,000 in the medical […]
Posted inNews
Assembly OKs preschool lease
The Chilkat Valley Preschool has passed the halfway mark in its effort to raise $420,000 for the construction of its new home, a 1,400-square-foot addition on the back of the Haines Senior Center. The nonprofit organization is also making headway with the Haines Borough Assembly, which on July 26 approved a lease agreement with the preschool […]
Posted inNews
Turner wins award for supporting town
The Haines Borough Assembly meeting on Tuesday kicked off with an exceptional amount of back-patting, including the presentation of a new award created by police chief Heath Scott. Scott, who started on the job July 18, gave the first “Exceptional Service in Support of the Community Award” to Don Turner. “I know I’m the new guy, but […]
Posted inNews
Assembly says little after lengthy secret session
The Haines Borough Assembly emerged from a 90-minute closed door session with its attorney Tuesday, only to give a one-sentence update on the ongoing dispute with two residents. The assembly consulted with its attorney, manager Bill Seward and police chief Heath Scott in executive session until 10:30 p.m. regarding a recent letter sent from an attorney representing […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Schnabel: Harbor views are my own
In your article describing opposition to the harbor project (8/4/16), I was identified as the executive director of the Chamber of Commerce. In that position, I am responsible to the chamber board of directors and the membership, and I am careful to identify when I represent the chamber. My quoted statement was obviously personal. I […]
Posted inNews
Assembly comment time mulled
Audience members who ask questions and voice concerns during the public comment period at the beginning of Haines Borough Assembly meetings could soon be hearing responses from elected leaders. Traditionally, members of the public are invited to comment, but assembly members do not immediately reply. During a July 27 meeting, for example, Don Highsmith asked questions about […]
Posted inNews
AMG seeks permit for Flower Mountain tour
Alaska Mountain Guides is looking to add a commercial ATV tour to its operations that would take clients around the Flower Mountain and lower Klehini River areas. The four-hour tour would take place on Haines Forest and Department of Natural Resources land, according to AMG’s permit application, though the exact location of each tour would […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Few turn out for assembly training day
A new program aimed at training residents contemplating a run for Haines Borough Assembly drew little interest this week, with three members of the public attending the Monday session led by Mayor Jan Hill and clerk Julie Cozzi. Leonard Dubber, Judy Erekson and Debra Schnabel turned out. Erekson said in an interview after the meeting she was “fairly committed” to running for […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly dumps tour tax vote
Going against the recommendation of its own committee, the Haines Borough Assembly Tuesday decided not to ask voters about repealing the town’s 1 percent sales tax for tourism and economic development on the October ballot. Several residents and tour operators turned out to rally in favor of the 1 percent tax’s benefits to the community, including Alaska […]