Incumbent Daymond Hoffman won’t seek re-election to the Haines Borough Assembly. Instead, former City of Haines Mayor Dave Berry Jr. and tour boat captain Jonathan “Jono” Greene will vie for his vacated seat. “I need to spend time with my kids and my family,” Hoffman said this week. “The assembly takes a lot of time. It’s something I’m going to […]

The Haines Borough Assembly on a 4-2 vote Tuesday endorsed an integrated licensing process for the proposed Connelly Lake hydroelectric project. The assembly also rejected a proposal to charge harbor slip renters an additional $45 per year garbage surcharge to offset increased costs, and sent to committee an ordinance to raise water and sewer rates. Connelly Lake project developer […]

Facilities issues dominated Tuesday’s Haines Borough Assembly meeting, where members voted to explore purchase of the Elks property, seek proposals for a temporary metal roof on the Chilkat Center and pay $39,000 for the first phase of the community facility master plan. The goal of the plan is “to develop a specific capital improvement plan for how […]

The Haines Borough Assembly voted 4-1 Tuesday to retain manager Mark Earnest, reactivating a contract that gives him the borough’s top job for another 13 months. Member Norm Smith voted in opposition. Assemblywoman Debra Schnabel, a candidate for the vacant manager’s position, had asked to be excused from the matter that was scheduled on the assembly meeting agenda as “interim borough […]

The Haines Borough Assembly last week reconsidered plans to proceed with the sale of lots formerly occupied by the primary school on Main Street. Assembly members will discuss the old school property at their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 26, following a public hearing. “The closeness of the vote, both with the planning commission and with the […]

The Haines Borough Assembly last week sunk a proposal to double annual and daily launch ramp fees. “I have no problem seeing an increase in the launch ramp fees,” said assemblywoman Joanne Waterman. “I’d like to see it spread over a little bit more time.” The assembly on May 29 discussed an ordinance with a revised fee schedule, […]

State Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines, said this week a patchwork replacement of sidewalk and curbs downtown can’t be fixed this year, due to funding constraints. “It’s looking semi-tacky now, but it’s a start. If we finish the job next year, it’ll be okay,” Thomas said about a state Department of Transportation paving project that’s replacing only […]

The Haines Borough recently launched a Haines Port Development Steering Committee. Three residents have since formed the Haines Port Development Council – described as a private-sector cooperative research group – with a similar aim to encourage Yukon Territory mines to ship through Haines. Mayor Stephanie Scott attended a May 7 meeting of the Haines Port Development Council at the […]