How the Haines Borough should distribute money to local nonprofits has been discussed for years, and the issue continues to vex the assembly. Mayor Stephanie Scott proposed at a borough assembly meeting last month to establish an ad hoc committee to deal with the issue of doling out money to nonprofits, but the resolution failed after assembly members Norm Smith, Jerry […]
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Attorney says assembly erred
The Haines Borough’s attorney has concluded that the assembly committed a procedural error during its Jan. 22 closed-door meeting, but that no remedial action is necessary. Attorney Brooks Chandler wrote in a Feb. 5 memo to Mayor Stephanie Scott that the assembly failed to make a motion to enter into executive session to discuss manager Mark Earnest’s performance […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted
Patty Brown attended the 57th Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies in Washington, D.C. She worked through U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office to score a standing-room ticket to the Jan. 21 event on the Capitol Mall. Patty said ticketholders were packed into the viewing area, but the crowd was peaceful and celebratory. “It was inspirational and really connecting,” […]
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Population grows to 2,620, but may level
The Haines Borough has grown by nearly 4.5 percent in the past two years, but state demographers are saying the current population of 2,620 has likely flat-lined and will not grow substantially beyond that for the next several decades. The borough expanded from 2,508 people to 2,620 between 2010 to 2012, according to recently released population estimates […]
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Borough OKs permit for Alaska Heliskiing
Alaska Heliskiing broke state law, Haines Borough code and its own safety plan during a season that included the deaths of a client and guide, but its violations “do not rise to a level of ‘substantial noncompliance’” for revoking the company’s tour permit, clerk Julie Cozzi ruled this week. “I do not view commercial tour permits as […]
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State to crunch numbers on new ferry plan
A recent state Department of Transportation action scrapping plans for the “Alaska-class” ferry for two, smaller shuttle ferries has spawned a series of regional meetings as well as continued questions and criticism from local leaders. The revised plan stems from an effort DOT started in 2006 aimed at lengthening roads throughout the region and connecting […]
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School ventilators at end of service life
Air-exchange units in Haines High School’s relocated art room that are loud and interfering with teaching need to be replaced, according to facilities director Carlos Jimenez. Replacing the equipment may cost as much as $303,000, but Jimenez said this week he’d pursue a short-term fix including replacing motors, belts and “vibration isolators,” a less expensive […]
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Borough, union to negotiate new contract
The Haines Borough has put together its bargaining team for upcoming negotiations with the Local 71 Union regarding a new collective bargaining agreement for borough workers. The current, three-year agreement expires June 30, 2013. The borough’s team consists of Mayor Stephanie Scott, personnel committee chair Joanne Waterman, borough manager Mark Earnest, chief fiscal officer Jila Stuart and police chief Gary Lowe. Earnest […]
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Assembly to review executive sessions
A Jan. 22 closed-door meeting of the Haines Borough Assembly may have violated Alaska’s Open Meetings Act and borough code, according to borough officials. Assembly members met as a committee of the whole prior to the regular assembly meeting and effectively extended borough manager Mark Earnest’s contract until July 2014 by determining he achieved a “satisfactory” performance […]
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Contract includes 48 days of leave
In June 2012, Haines Borough Assembly member Debra Schnabel asked Mayor Stephanie Scott for a report on manager Mark Earnest’s accrued and used leave. Schnabel was concerned about Earnest’s frequent absences. Schnabel learned Earnest hadn’t come close to depleting the paid time off his contract allows. According to his $108,000 annual contract, Earnest may take 48 paid days off per year, not […]