After a fifth public hearing to discuss a revised helicopter skiing ordinance, the Haines Borough Assembly on Tuesday adopted an ordinance that would permit up to three operators to share a 2,600 skier-day limit. The ordinance passed 5-1, with member Greg Goodman opposed. He said the ordinance was “on the right track,” but still flawed. Borough manager Mark […]
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Chamber: Dock fees will hurt retail trade
Haines business leaders say they’re afraid that a proposed jump in fees at the borough-owned Lutak Dock would be passed directly to local businesses, forcing up local retail prices and driving shoppers out of town. Haines Chamber of Commerce president Ned Rozbicki said he’d be meeting with borough manager Mark Earnest Thursday to discuss concerns. “For businesses, it’s no […]
Posted inNews, Alaska Marine Highway System
Skagway, Haines mull joint projects
Hydropower and transportation were two items on what Mayor Jan Hill called a “limitless” list of potential areas for collaboration between the Haines Borough and Municipality of Skagway. “There’s so many things we could be doing together, but in order to do something well, we need to have a focus,” Hill said. She was in Juneau for a Southeast Conference […]
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School seeks new gym floor pad
Fixing persistent leaks in the roof over the center of the high school and addressing a drainage issue there will consume the remaining school construction funds, superintendent Michael Byer told a joint meeting of the Haines Borough Assembly and School Board. Byer also is seeking $250,000 from the Alaska Legislature to replace padding under the gymnasium floor, […]
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Manager will seek assembly direction on trailers
Haines Borough manager Mark Earnest said he would turn to the assembly or possibly the planning commission for direction on the question of permitting for food stands operating in modified trailers. Three businesses selling food under temporary use permits are seeking permanent status. Their current permits require either that they can be moved immediately, or that they operate […]
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Hike proposed in freight rates
The Haines Borough is considering exponential rate increases for using Lutak Dock, under a proposed ordinance set for a second public hearing Tuesday. “These rates, in general, haven’t been changed in many years,” said borough manager Mark Earnest. “They’ve just been low, and they’ve been low for a long time.” The Haines Borough Assembly on Feb. 22 advanced the ordinance to a […]
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Earnest: Budget will be ‘uncomfortable’
The Haines Borough budget for the coming year will amount to “putting a size 9 foot into a size 8½ shoe,” borough manager Mark Earnest told a joint meeting of the assembly and school board Tuesday. “You won’t get gangrene, but it won’t be comfortable,” Earnest said. “It’s going to be a challenge, but we can get through.” The budget, drawn […]
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Haines, Skagway meeting Monday
The Haines Borough and Municipality of Skagway assemblies are set to meet Monday at a joint work session in Skagway. Haines Borough Assembly members will take a ferry to and from the 7 p.m. session in the Skagway assembly chambers, 700 Spring St. Items on the agenda include upper Lynn Canal port development, tourism and energy. Borough manager Mark Earnest said the […]
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Major heli-ski issues up in air
With less than a week until possible adoption of a revised helicopter skiing ordinance, a mayor-appointed work group has yet to reach consensus on its most controversial elements, including numbers of skier days, a map of permitted areas, and allowing a third operator. “These are all contentious issues that will require a lengthy public process,” […]
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Borough buys ‘lawn tractor’ for $18K
The Haines Borough Assembly on Feb. 8 authorized the purchase of a lawn tractor from Bigfoot Auto Service for a cost not to exceed $17,985. It replaces a riding lawn mower. The borough also received a bid of $18,545 from Craig Taylor Equipment of Anchorage. “How big is this thing?” asked assembly member Scott Rossman. “I didn’t […]