Clerk Julie Cozzi will take the helm of the Haines Borough for up to three months while the assembly looks for a new manager to replace Mark Earnest. The assembly approved Earnest’s transition plan Tuesday, which moves Cozzi into the manager role and deputy clerk Michelle Webb into the clerk position upon Earnest’s departure. His last day is […]
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Voters urged to follow instructions on ballot
Haines Borough officials are urging residents to carefully follow ballot directions when casting their votes Tuesday. Voters will elect two assembly members and three school board members in Tuesday’s election. They’ll also decide on a proposed change to the borough charter limiting corporate personhood. Assembly candidates include George Campbell and write-in candidates Mario Benassi and Diana […]
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Begich weighs in on highway
State officials and organizations are weighing in on the proposed improvements to the Haines Highway, and a local environmental group is looking to spotlight the project in statewide and national press. U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation on Sept. 16 urging the agency to address concerns from […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Voters to decide charter change
A local debate swirling over “corporate personhood” centers on the long-term implications of a proposed ballot measure. The initiative would amend the Haines Borough charter preamble and bill of rights by adding language limiting constitutional rights to individuals. Sponsored by the local We the People group, voters in the Oct. 1 municipal election will be asked: “Should […]
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Assembly resists tourism study
The Haines Borough’s Tourism Advisory Board is asking for nearly $30,000 to conduct two tourism impact studies – one for the summer season, one for the winter – but the assembly is balking at the price tag and ambiguity of the proposal. The proposal, prepared by the McDowell Group, would consist of a 2013 summer […]
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Candidates talk business issues
Two candidates for Haines Borough Assembly fielded questions at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon Aug. 30, with topics ranging from the potential Constantine mine to why there are so few candidates for assembly. Official candidate George Campbell and write-in Mario Benassi took turns answering questions from chamber president Barbara Mulford before the floor was opened up to […]
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Borough to review zoning fines
Recent fines leveled by the Haines Borough against residents for zoning violations ranging from raising too many chickens to failure to obtain a permit for an RV have the planning commission reconsidering its one-size-fits-all, $250 penalty. Planning and zoning technician Tracy Cui has been enforcing the code more than her predecessors, said planning commission chair Rob Goldberg. […]
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Borough looks at own Connelly hydro permit
The Haines Borough is looking into filing for a preliminary permit for the Connelly Lake hydroelectric project, recently dropped by private company Alaska Power and Telephone. Mayor Stephanie Scott said she asked assistant to the manager Darsie Culbeck to investigate the procedures and costs that would be associated with the borough getting involved with the Connelly Lake project. Culbeck said in an interview […]
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Borough to revisit 3-chicken rule
How many chickens are too many to have in residential areas? The Haines Borough Planning Commission will take up that question at its Sept. 12 meeting. It’s been asked to consider relaxing restrictions on chickens that currently limit homeowners to three in the townsite’s residential zones. More can be allowed with a conditional use permit. Sara Chapell, […]
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Interest in local food boosts small farms
Interest in locally grown produce is helping boost a new generation of small farms in the Chilkat Valley. The resulting bumper crop is giving residents more shopping choices, as well as supplying local stores, restaurants and even the Haines School with fresh produce. It’s also transforming the Haines Farmers Market, where offerings were once limited […]