The Haines Borough Assembly will look into putting teeth into a state directive against use of motorized vehicles on Chilkat River beaches. Confusion among area residents, borough staff and law enforcement officials over the legality of riding ATVs on the beaches led Mayor Stephanie Scott to investigate the issue. Scott concluded that while commercial motorized use is prohibited, personal use of ATVs […]
Search results
Posted inNews
Why so few assembly candidates?
With only two names appearing on the fall municipal ballot for two seats open on the Haines Borough Assembly, interest in serving on the town’s main decision-making body has reached the lowest point since at least 2002, when the former City of Haines and Haines Borough merged into a single government. The paucity of assembly candidates is particularly […]
Posted inNews
Borough may get help on manager hire
The Haines Borough Assembly appears to be leaning toward hiring a headhunting firm to find the municipality’s next manager, but assembly members still want some details hammered out first. The assembly met Monday as a committee of the whole to discuss how to move forward with the hiring of a new manager. Manager Mark Earnest said last week he’d […]
Posted inNews
Tighten access to public records?
The Haines Borough Assembly last week introduced an ordinance that would restrict public access to employee evaluations and applications for borough jobs. Borough attorney Brooks Chandler drafted an ordinance at the request of manager Mark Earnest that would make performance evaluations and job applications of many borough employees confidential and inaccessible to the public. The Chilkat Valley News […]
Posted inNews
Earnest says he’s leaving
The Haines Borough Assembly on Wednesday approved 5-1 the resignation of manager Mark Earnest. Member Norm Smith, a longtime Earnest critic, opposed the motion without comment. “I truly want to spend more time with my wife and son. I’ve been missing a good part of his development and maturity and it’s becoming very important to me now,” Earnest said […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly approves community donations
On a 5-1 vote, the Haines Borough Assembly Tuesday approved more than $100,000 in grants to local non-profits. The borough had set aside about $130,000 for gift-giving. Contributions from the borough’s general fund included Haines Friends of Recycling, $4,887; Chilkat Valley Preschool, $11,010; Southeast Senior Services, $6,176; Haines Dolphins Swim Team, $3,184; Lynn Canal Broadcasting, $1,378; American Bald Eagle Foundation, […]
Posted inNews, School Board
Two candidates for assembly, four to vie for school board
Despite a recent change in election procedures and exemption from state financial disclosure requirements, only two candidates filed to fill two seats up for grabs on the Haines Borough Assembly this October. Residents George Campbell and Rob Miller are hoping to secure the two three-year seats, and likely will, though voters can still elect write-in candidates. Incumbents Norm […]
Posted inHaines Borough, News
Assembly approves pay hikes
The Haines Borough Assembly on Tuesday approved raises and benefits for employees that will cost, on average, at least an additional $165,000 annually during the next three years. The assembly unanimously approved the contract negotiated by workers’ union Local 71 and a negotiating team of borough leaders. The borough’s negotiating team included chief fiscal officer Jila Stuart, mayor Stephanie […]
Posted inNews
‘Corporate personhood’ on agenda
The Haines contingent of “We the People” is pushing the Haines Borough Assembly to pass an ordinance rejecting corporate personhood and restricting the definition of “person” in borough code to human beings. Under Haines Borough code, “person” is defined as “a corporation, partnership, joint venture, the borough and any other public agency, as well as an individual or individuals.” […]
Posted inNews
Assembly to mull $5 million bond
The Haines Borough Assembly will consider asking voters to approve a $5 million bond for districtwide school improvements. The borough’s hopes for approval hinge on the package of projects qualifying for reimbursement through a state program that covers up to 70 percent of costs. The bond would finance six projects: mechanical upgrades to the vocational education building […]