In 2006, a certified public accountant brought in to review the books of the Southeast Alaska State Fair determined the organization was bankrupt. A former executive director had allowed charges at local stores, federal tax bills, and associated penalties to pile up to a debt of more than $100,000. “We owed so much to the […]
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Posted inNews
Private fix sought for junked vehicles
The Haines Borough could soon be partnering with a private business to solve towing, impoundment and junked-car related issues. The assembly voted Tuesday to direct the administration to request bids for providing the services. The provider would help the borough enforce laws already on the books. In light of recent discussion of a proposed local motor vehicle […]
Posted inNews
Architects rate condition of borough buildings
The Haines public safety building is in bad shape. In fact, Anchorage-based architect Jason Gamache said he hasn’t seen anything quite like it in the rest of the state. Gamache, along with McCool Carlson and Green associate Jason Weir, delivered a presentation recently at Haines High School outlining the results of their Haines 2015 facility […]
Posted inNews
Heli-ski safety claim in question
Until Tuesday evening, Haines-based Alaska Heliskiing claimed on its website to be a member of the Alaska Helicopter Skiing Association, which does not exist, according to numerous industry operators. In the safety section of the company’s website, under the heading “Our Safety Program,” Alaska Heliskiing claimed membership in an organization called the Alaska Helicopter Skiing […]
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Earnest evaluation to start in January
The borough assembly will begin the process of reviewing manager Mark Earnest’s contract and conducting his performance evaluation in early January. The assembly approved an extension of Earnest’s contract through July 2014 pending a review of contract conditions and a satisfactory evaluation at a meeting last month. Assembly member Joanne Waterman reminded the assembly during its Nov. […]
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Borough, district sort project costs
An upcoming engineer’s evaluation at the Haines School is aimed at determining whether a ventilation system in the school’s relocated art room needs replacing. It also may determine if the Haines Borough or school district foots the bill for work on the system. The borough is responsible for “major maintenance” to the school building but whether it […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Watch the line on public comments
There is a line between public comments critical of a public employee’s job performance and comments about the person her/himself. During recent public comment sections of assembly meetings, I feel that I have allowed some speakers to cross that line and I apologize. When the line is crossed, we all experience discomfort. I do not […]
Posted inNews
Car tax encounters opposition: Assembly wants more details on proposal
Haines Borough Assembly members and residents expressed misgivings about a proposed motor vehicle registration tax Tuesday. The assembly postponed a vote on the motor vehicle tax ordinance, which would compel residents to pay $22 every two years for each of their vehicles regardless of size, type, and age. The tax would raise about $40,000 annually […]
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Electric fence planned at landfill
Community Waste Solutions and the Alaska Chilkoot Bear Foundation are partnering up to construct an electric fence around the CWS building to deter bear activity around the landfill. The fence will surround areas where bear-attractant waste is stored, including the 800-square-foot CWS building. Bear Foundation representative Richard Folta said electric fences have proved very effective […]
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LED lights to go up along Third Avenue
With the goal of becoming more energy efficient, the Haines Borough Assembly recently contracted with Alaska Power and Telephone to install 16 new LED lights along Third Avenue. The current, high-pressure sodium lights will be replaced by the LED lights, which are both brighter and more efficient, AP&T power supervisor Danny Gonce said. The total project will […]