After two rounds of interviews, Haines Borough manager David Sosa last week offered the community and economic development director job to Bill Mandeville of Tumwater, Wash. Mandeville has worked for Washington’s Department of Commerce since 2006. He manages a $6.5 million revolving loan fund designed to redevelop sites with environmental hazards into productive commercial and industrial […]
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Posted inNews
Borough holds $15 million in savings
As a percentage of spending, the Haines Borough’s $15 million in savings is exponentially more than what many other municipalities hold onto, but it’s a “prudent cushion,” the Haines Borough’s auditor told the assembly last month. The $15 million in fund balances identified by Max Mertz of Juneau includes $7.1 million in permanent fund capital, […]
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Borough to seek water,sewer rate increases
After eight weeks of consultation with senior Haines Borough staffers, manager David Sosa is recommending the assembly raise water and sewer rates. Final numbers haven’t been hammered out, but Sosa said if his recommendation is adopted, the average water and sewer user will likely see a minimum $10 per month cumulative increase over the next three years. […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Leaders explain support, opposition of power rate increase
Haines Borough officials said this week that information that can’t be disclosed led them to vote in favor of a settlement with the Alaska Power Company to increase electric rates by 11 percent. Assembly members Mike Case, Diana Lapham and George Campbell voted to accept the settlement offer. Assembly members Ron Jackson, Dave Berry […]
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Assembly opposes Juneau road plan
The Haines Borough Assembly is remaining firm in its opposition to the proposed East Side Lynn Canal Highway. The assembly voted 5-0 at its Oct. 28 meeting to send a letter drafted by former Mayor Stephanie Scott to the Department of Transportation once again stating the borough’s preference for improved ferry service over a road connecting Juneau to Katzehin. The assembly has […]
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Assembly OKs 11 percent rate hike
After most than an hour of discussion behind closed doors, the Haines Borough Assembly on Wednesday voted to accept a settlement with the Alaska Power Company to increase power rates by 11 percent in Haines. It was unclear this week how the vote would affect legal action taken by five communities to oppose an 18.12 percent across-the-board […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Marijuana supporters stood alone
I am not only very pleased with the passing of Measure 2 but also a bit overwhelmed by all the rhetoric around town. It seems everybody and their mother is talking about opening a “dispensary.” Where were all these people when the fight to legalize started? Many were asked and told to show their faces, […]
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THREA drops Walker Lake; Floreske still interested
After squabbling with a local developer for more than two years, the Tlingit and Haida Regional Electric Authority board has decided to relinquish its preliminary permit for the Walker Lake hydroelectric project. THREA and John Floreske’s company, Southern Energy Inc., jockeyed for the Walker Lake permit until the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission granted it to […]
Posted inNews
‘Emergency’ hire for economic job
The Haines Borough has moved tourism director Leslie Ross into the interim community and economic development director position as part of an “emergency hire” arrangement that also promotes Tammy Piper from visitor information coordinator to interim tourism director. Both Ross and Piper will get 20 percent pay bumps for their work in the interim positions. An emergency […]
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Sen. Begich, Sullivan hear residents’ concerns
U.S. Democratic Sen. Mark Begich, a one-term incumbent, faces a challenge from former Alaska attorney general and natural resources commissioner Republican Dan Sullivan. Begich, 52, worked as a landlord and Anchorage city worker. He was elected to the city’s assembly at age 26. He was twice elected Mayor of Anchorage before defeating former Sen. Ted Stevens to […]