Mayor Tom Morphet is proposing transferring the borough’s Tlingit Park property to the Chilkoot Indian Association. Morphet, who has discussed the idea with CIA tribal administrator Harriet Brouillette, is pitching the transfer as both a return of the land to its rightful owners and also a move to save the borough money. Critics have raised […]
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Posted inLocal News, Haines Borough
Assembly Briefs: 5G, sales tax, muzzling the Mayor, assembly pay, and a complication for the new police chief
Cell Towers There’s no immediate end in sight for 5G cell-tower discussion, though the topic will start getting its own dedicated meeting time. The planning commission has scheduled a special meeting for July 10 to discuss two conditional use permit applications for new towers in the borough. One tower has been proposed for Main Street, […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Mayor supports existing borough staff, wants to expand it
I’d just like to clarify my support for borough staff. In January, when issues arose about our former manager, I insisted on an evaluation and discussion, not termination. Later, at the end of the manager’s contract, I urged keeping the manager on as long as possible. Further, I established an annual assembly planning session to […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Mayor, assembly are neglecting Lutak corrosion
Twenty-two years ago, our freight dock was showing signs of failure. Twenty years ago, the dock spilled debris into Lutak Inlet. Twelve years ago, many more sinkholes appeared along the length of the dock face. Just over one year ago, the borough had a plan to address the constant corrosion. There was opposition to the […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted: A dozen Dunk the Mayor, trash king and queen named, Bridge players take second in tournament
Dozens of residents came out for the spring clean up, organized by the Haines Chamber of Commerce. Pete and Joan Degen were named Trash King and Trash Queen for collecting the most trash over the weekend “It’s really about her. I married into that,” said Pete Degen. “(Picking up trash) is a way of being […]
Posted inNews, Public Safety
After eventful three years in Haines, Olerud steps down as mayor
When Douglas Olerud took over as Haines Mayor in November of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing. A few weeks later, a fatal landslide on Beach Road shook the community to its core. Many public officials credited Olerud with improving public discourse and trust in government throughout his term. As he stepped down, he was […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Tom Morphet for Borough Mayor
Two very different candidates are vying for Haines Borough’s mayoral seat. Jan Hill — highly experienced in seats of power, serious about politics, possessing a guarded political style, and playing things “close to the vest.” Tom Morphet — gregarious, a writer and storyteller by trade, neither guarded nor political in his personal style. Jan Hill has repeatedly campaigned as […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Jan Hill showed she’s unfit for mayor
In the Sept. 21 CVN interview for mayoral candidates, Jan Hill exposed her true self. When both candidates were asked to say something kind about the other candidate, Tom Morphet laid out a thoughtful list of kind attributes in regards to Jan Hill. But Jan Hill could not say one kind thing. Not one. Are you kidding me? I can […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
We need civil leadership for mayor
Now is a time of great need for civility and cooperation in our community and in our municipal government. To see us through these challenging and budget-limited times, we need partnerships and collaboration between the Haines Borough and the organizations and nonprofits in Haines that improve quality of life for all. We need leaders and officials who […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Support Morphet for mayor
I am writing in support of Tom Morphet for Mayor of Haines. Tom speaks from a voice of unity and cohesiveness, wanting to work together to solve our community issues. I think he will bring thoughtfulness, intelligence, and insight to our local issues. As a former newspaper person, Tom knows how to dig deep into a subject […]