At the Dec. 15 Haines Borough Assembly session, the always impeccably coiffed Mayor Jan Hill redefined “bad hair day” with her invective against citizen activists. The Mayor read her “prepared statement” with commanding presence, accusing citizens of being “contentious” and “hateful.” I commend this great example of exercising free speech rights – to contest others’ rights as she implored citizens “…must stop […]
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Posted inLetters to the Editor
Important to honor mentors
At the Haines Borough Assembly meeting on Jan. 12, Mayor Jan Hill joined Alaska Gov. Bill Walker, the U.S. Congress and President Barack Obama in proclaiming January as Mentoring Month. It can seem routine, as every month seems to belong to somebody. But shining a light on the need for adults who can foster a one-to-one relationship with a child […]
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Campbell targets tax on autos
A Haines Borough Assembly member is pushing to repeal the municipality’s motor vehicle registration tax. Established in October 2013, the tax was launched to help clean up junked and abandoned vehicles around the borough. Assembly member George Campbell said the program has been on the books for more than two years and has yet to benefit the […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Decision erodes support for Freeride
Over the objections of Chilkat Indian Village, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, professional hunting guides, Chilkoot Bear Foundation, Lynn Canal Conservation, and numerous individuals, the Haines Borough Assembly is allowing the Freeride World Tour to operate their helicopters in two areas not on the approved heliski map. By so doing, they have taken an event that would have been supported, […]
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Thomas will lobby Legislature for Haines Borough
The Haines Borough Assembly on Dec. 29 authorized acting manager Julie Cozzi to draw up a $45,000, one-year lobbying contract with former state Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines. Mayor Jan Hill broke a 3-3 assembly tie on whether to contract with Thomas. “You are not going to find another lobbyist who is going to represent Haines better than Bill Thomas,” Hill […]
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Harrell donates $1.39 million to local causes, groups
Gifts of more than $30,000 to organizations around town in December capped $1.39 million in community donations made by resident Lucy Harrell in 2015. In an interview this week, Harrell, 91, confirmed making the donations and the larger, combined amount. Word of the gifts spread around town Dec. 16 after Harrell presented gifts of $10,000 […]
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Company sues borough over heliport denial
A local company denied a conditional use permit to operate a heliport near 26 Mile is appealing the decision in state Superior Court. In a notice of appeal filed Dec. 29, attorneys for Big Salmon Ventures said the Haines Borough’s decision on the matter was “based on prejudice, arbitrary and capricious decision-making” and “on improper motives.” Big […]
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Town forum Saturday to envision positive future
“Creating a Positive Future for Haines,” a community forum organized by residents Brenda Josephson and Tresham Gregg, will be held 7 p.m. Saturday at the Chilkat Center. “I’m hoping that a cross-section of people come. We’re going to talk in positive terms about creating a brighter future for people here, economically and socially,” said Gregg, […]
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Assembly hires Ryan as manager at $96K
Following an hour-long executive session, the Haines Borough Assembly voted 4-2 on Dec. 29 to make facilities director Brad Ryan interim municipal manager at pay equivalent to $96,000 per year. Members George Campbell and Diana Lapham were opposed. Under terms of a letter of agreement, Ryan will continue to also perform functions of his facilities position. In […]
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Preschool proposal gets conceptual OK
The Haines Borough Assembly on Tuesday approved the concept of expanding the borough-owned Senior Center to accommodate the Chilkat Valley Preschool, though members were clear that many details still need to be ironed out. Assembly member Margaret Friedenauer said she has concerns about the merger, primarily with how the project would financially impact the borough. “There’s still […]