The state Division of Forestry office in Haines would close under a proposal being considered by the Alaska Legislature’s House Finance Committee. The measure would end the Division of Forestry’s resource management program and close all of the division’s offices in Southeast. The Haines office manages the 286,000 acres of the Haines State Forest. […]
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Posted inNews
Noise, cop studies get assembly’s OK
The Haines Borough Assembly approved a major spending package Tuesday, including $41,300 to study helicopter noise, $22,000 to study the police department and $100,000 for planning toward Lutak Dock improvements. The assembly voted 5-1 to approve the package, with assembly member Ron Jackson opposed. Mayor Jan Hill broke the tie in favor of including the noise study in the spending package, […]
Posted inNews
Should workers get to assess manager?
With Haines Borough Manager David Sosa’s one-year anniversary approaching, so too is his first performance evaluation. On Wednesday, assembly members will meet to discuss the procedure for evaluating him. Historically, only assembly members have assessed the manager, using evaluation forms and holding discussions in executive session. Employees, who work in the same building as the manager on […]
Posted inNews, Alaska Marine Highway System
DOT: Cut ferry day boat sailings — Agency proposes $9 million in reductions
Reduced ferry funding scenarios proposed by transportation officials include eliminating dayboat service in Lynn Canal between July and September, eliminating winter service by fast ferries, limiting fast ferry service to four days weekly during summer months, and eliminating contracted marketing and advertising. Other proposed changes would delay the start of service by the Taku between Prince Rupert, […]
Posted inNews
Assemble: No to proposal to protect harbor workers
The Haines Borough Assembly Tuesday voted down a resolution that would have supported extra protections for the harbormaster and harbor employees. The resolution would have supported passage of state legislation establishing a minimum amount of jail time for people convicted of assaulting or harassing port and harbor employees. The assembly voted 3-2 to strike down the resolution, […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted
Southeast Alaska State Fair director Jessica Edwards spent three days at the International Association of Amusement Park Attractions trade show in Florida. She visited the 42-acre event with husband Andy Hedden, daughter Sophia Hedden, and the president of the fair board Eric Forster. The fair hopes to add a new ride by its 50th anniversary […]
Posted inNews
Borough signs economic development director
On a unanimous vote, the Haines Borough Assembly Tuesday approved the hire of Bill Mandeville, the town’s new community and economic development director. He will start Feb. 1 with an annual salary of $64,000. Mandeville this week toured borough facilities, spoke with staff members, and gave the assembly a rundown of his qualifications and background. Mandeville has […]
Posted inNews, School Board
School Board: Keep Mosquito Lake School
Following testimony by a half-dozen upper highway residents, the Haines Borough school board voted 5-0 Tuesday to oppose putting up for sale Mosquito Lake School before July 2016, with members saying such a move was premature. The same question will go to the borough’s planning commission Thursday. “It seems we’re moving awfully fast on this,” said board member […]
Posted inHaines Borough, News
State approves electric rate hike
On a 2-1 vote, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska last week approved an 11.18 percent electric rate increase for more than 7,000 Alaska Power Company customers, including 1,450 in Haines. Users should see their rates increase by February, said Rod Crum, chief of the RCA’s consumer protection and information section. Alaska Power Company, the power […]
Posted inNews
Crime, weather left mark on 2014
The Haines Borough, its school and police department, came under new management in 2014, a year marked by lopsided weather patterns, infrastructure worries and chronic crime. Acts of courage brightened a townscape clouded as much by economic uncertainty as by months of rain. Luke Marquardt ran back into a house fire to save a friend. Novice […]