State representative-elect Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins visited Haines this week. His four-day visit included playing in community hockey games and meeting with interest groups. The 23-year-old Democrat arrived Monday afternoon with the goal of networking with local agencies and leaders to determine needs and priorities. Kreiss-Tomkins visited with borough and school board officials, spoke with senior center and pre-school […]
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BLM issues ‘Ring of Fire’ draft plan
More than 300,000 acres of currently off-limits mountain terrain near Haines would reopen to heli-ski use under a recent Bureau of Land Management plan. The BLM released its Ring of Fire Draft Resource Management Plan Haines Planning Area Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact Statement last week, which is used to determine land use designations, management […]
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Thomas’ ascent: From millhand to Alaska legislator
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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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]