Assembly adopts Chilkat River Access recommendations The borough assembly unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday endorsing the Chilkat River Access Working Group’s recommendations for improved state maintenance of the Haines Highway Miles 12 to 26. The recommendations will go to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. The working group met three times in April and May and included […]
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Posted inLetters to the Editor
Don’t boondoggle our valley
Constantine has yet to hold a community meeting in either Haines or Klukwan showing the ultimate buildout plans for the Palmer Project. Therefore they, and anyone complicit in pushing forward with plans to fund and/or accommodate the project within the Chilkat headwaters, are operating in bad faith with the people in these downstream communities. According to the […]
Posted inNews
Why don’t geologists give straight answers?
There’s an old joke among rock experts. Ask a geologist what’s two plus two, they’ll likely answer “somewhere between three and five and close to four,” said local geologist Cindy Buxton who gave an “Introduction to Haines Geology” via Zoom on Thursday, March 25. “It’s not because we can’t add,” Buxton said. “It’s because the […]
Posted inNews
Three manager candidates advance to second-round interviews
All three remaining Haines Borough manager candidates have advanced to the next interview round. On Tuesday, the Haines Borough Assembly held half-hour interviews with borough clerk and interim manager Alekka Fullerton, Department of Defense contractor Robert Rouse, and Tennessee resident and real estate investor George Zoukee, before voting unanimously to ask all of them to participate in more in-depth […]
Posted inNews
Popely to lobby for Haines for remainder of 2021
Lobbyist Ted Popely will represent the Haines Borough through the end of the year for $48,000. In keeping with a Government Affairs and Services (GAS) Committee recommendation from last week, the full Haines Borough Assembly voted 5-1 at a March 9 meeting to hire Popely. Assembly member Caitie Kirby was the sole “no” vote. During GAS Committee discussion, Kirby […]
Posted inNews
AIDEA to consider decommissioning Skagway ore terminal, seek alternative location
The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) is considering looking for a new location for an ore terminal to serve Yukon mining interests, which would leave Haines as the practical alternative. The board voted unanimously on March 3 to study the costs associated with modernizing the Skagway ore terminal versus decommissioning it. A resolution […]
Posted inNews
State denies Virg-Ins assistance for home destroyed in landslide
Steve and Sarah Virg-In’s home was one of the five in Haines that the state has categorized destroyed as a result of the Dec. 2 flooding and landslides. Despite losing the house they owned for 32 years, the Virg-Ins were denied individual assistance from the State of Alaska. He has appealed the state’s decision. On […]
Posted inNews
GAS committee recommends lobbyist hire
The Haines Borough Assembly is taking steps to hire longtime lobbyist Ted Popely to represent the community’s interests in Juneau for somewhere in the $40,000-to-$90,000 range. At a meeting Tuesday night, the assembly’s Government Affairs and Services (GAS) committee voted 2-1 to recommend the full assembly take action to secure Popely’s services. Members Cheryl Stickler and Gabe […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted
Lauren Rutland is the new Haines Dolphins swim coach. She and husband Ryan Rutland moved to Haines from outside Saginaw, Texas, with their three dogs, two cats and two children, Carson, 5, and Archer, 4. Ryan was recently hired as a Haines Borough Police Department officer. Before moving to Haines, Lauren was doing graphic design work in Texas, and taught swim teams […]