An assembly recall campaign and a new effort targeting underage drinking punctuated the year 2011 in the Chilkat Valley News. Extreme weather and some unusual wildlife encounters delivered doses of excitement. The local economy stayed afloat, buoyed by a strong commercial fishing season, increased visitation by foreigners, construction projects and a $13 million distribution by […]
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Does reality show bring “rush” to local economy?
“Gold Rush” the reality mining show set in the Chilkat Valley’s Porcupine mining district, won high ratings in its debut season on Discovery Channel last year, but has its success translated to a boost in the number of visitors here? During its first season filming in 2010, Mayor Jan Hill and others expressed hope that the show would […]
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Mayor lays down rules for meetings
Haines Borough meetings will get a new look – including increased opportunity for public comment and more assembly research in advance of meetings – under plans laid out by new Mayor Stephanie Scott at a work session with assembly members Nov. 3. A list of “housekeeping” issues addressed during the session ranged from reviewing the purpose and status of […]
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Grant to focus on healthy living efforts; Funding options may include local food, anti-smoking programs
Adding local foods to school lunches, improving bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and stopping youth smoking are programs that could get funding under a $2.5 million health and wellness grant recently received by Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC). Former Haines Borough mayor Jan Hill is helping administer the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant that will award […]
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Outgoing mayor Hill appoints five to new port committee
The Haines Borough Assembly on Oct. 25 approved the first appointments to the new Haines Port Development Steering Committee. Departing Mayor Jan Hill appointed Michael Ganey, Alaska Marine Trucking; Fred Gray, Delta Western; Darwin Green, Constantine Metal Resources; Scott Hansen, Chilkoot Indian Association; and resident Roger Maynard to the committee. The assembly approved all five appointments. The group is slated […]
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Consultants to lead borough’s big jobs
The Haines Borough is looking to contractors for planning and execution of its major projects, including an expanded port and a “community” center. It also will seek at least one contractor for “special projects.” Pay for the port consultant is expected to come from a state grant; other consultants’ pay would come from economic development and engineering […]
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Small Tracts lot pushes issue of junked cars
A pending enforcement action against a Small Tracts Road property owner has cast a spotlight on the perennial issue of junked cars in the valley. The Haines Borough is now investigating ways to make disposal of wrecks more economical. The borough in April told landowner Lucy Harrell she had to clean up a former tire shop property […]
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School demolition next week; More voices join effort to save old school, gym
Some residents mounted a last-ditch effort to save the elementary school and gym this month, but demolition appears on track to start next week. “I’m pushing for an eleventh-hour stay of execution because I detest waste and what I see as a lack of imagination and foresight,” said Larry Larson, who works as an architectural […]
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Filming resumes
Broadcast of Haines Borough Assembly meetings on local cable TV station Channel 14 resumed this week. Videographer Bill Kurz had stopped filming the meetings after a dispute with Mayor Jan Hill. Hill lost her seat to challenger Stephanie Scott this week in a final count of outstanding ballots. “The meetings will be video-recorded for the foreseeable future. That’s the game plan,” […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Scott wins mayor’s race by 47 votes; First meeting with new leaders Nov. 15
Haines Borough voters selected Stephanie Scott as their new Mayor, by a 47-vote margin, a canvass of outstanding ballots determined Tuesday. She received 24 of 31 remaining absentee, questioned and personal representative ballots, capturing 52 percent of total votes cast. “I’m just happy that there is some conclusion, so I can get to work,” Scott said. “That’s been weighing […]