The Haines Borough Assembly approved an 18-month contract extension and 2 percent pay raise for borough manager Mark Earnest following an evaluation last week. “I’m very appreciative of the opportunity to continue serving the community and the borough, and I look forward to pushing the projects that we’ve got moving in the next year and a half,” Earnest said. […]
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Posted inNews
GPS data a trade secret? Heli-ski companies want coordinates to be confidential
The Haines Borough Assembly in a 4-2 vote Tuesday introduced an ordinance that would make global positioning system data for helicopter skiing confidential. “The only thing about this ordinance is you have to be satisfied that the GPS data is indeed a trade secret, and the people who bear the burden of that proof are the operators […]
Posted inNews
Borough: Heliport would violate permit
The Haines Borough will send a letter to Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures informing them that use of a heliport at 26 Mile for commercial helicopter skiing is a violation of the company’s tour permit that could result in revocation. Mayor Stephanie Scott said the letter has been approved by the borough’s attorney. “We intend to hold the line. The terms of […]
Posted inNews
Assembly committee edges toward Center roof repair
A committee of the Haines Borough Assembly took a baby step toward funding a Chilkat Center roof repair at a Dec. 27 workshop. The borough recently received a $650,000 estimate to rebuild the center’s roof, including structural work and replacement of cedar shakes with metal roofing. Adding insulation is expected to stem a problem that starts when […]
Posted inNews, Obituaries
Chilkat Valley year in review
An assembly recall campaign and a new effort targeting underage drinking punctuated the year 2011 in the Chilkat Valley News. Extreme weather and some unusual wildlife encounters delivered doses of excitement. The local economy stayed afloat, buoyed by a strong commercial fishing season, increased visitation by foreigners, construction projects and a $13 million distribution by […]
Posted inNews
SEABA plans use of 26 Mile heliport
Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures is going ahead with plans to use a 26 Mile Haines Highway site as a heliport, relying on a section of Haines Borough code the company says exempts it from acquiring a conditional use permit to stage heli-skiing tours from the site, according to Mayor Stephanie Scott. Scott said SEABA co-owner Scott Sundberg told her Tuesday that SEABA notified borough […]
Posted inNews
Borough seeks plan for sewage sludge
Haines Borough officials this week said there’s time to develop disposal alternatives in the wake of Community Waste Solution’s decision last week to no longer accept municipal sludge at its FAA Road landfill. In a limited statement this week, company president Tom Hall said he would like to accept sludge again at some later date. “My […]
Posted inNews
Borough to take over solid waste authority? Firms make appeal to leaders
Haines Borough Assembly members discussed hiring a consultant and appointing a task force Tuesday after two local trash companies and the president of the Haines Chamber of Commerce pleaded for increased borough participation in solid waste management. No action was taken during the committee-of-the-whole meeting, but the assembly is expected to revisit the topic at its […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted
State Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines, attended the Great Alaska Shootout in Anchorage last week, where he was honored with the Seawolves Service Award presented by UAA Chancellor Tom Case. Thomas was commended for his help securing a $2 million grant to support the Great Alaska Shootout. Thomas, a Shootout fan who also played basketball for […]
Posted inNews
Assembly to revisit Connelly Lake issue
The Haines Borough Assembly will hold a special meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday to formulate comment on a preliminary permit sought by Alaska Power & Telephone. It would give the utility exclusive rights to develop a hydroelectric power plant and rock-fill dam about four miles upstream of Chilkoot Lake. The privately-owned utility that provides phone and electric service […]