Haines Borough Mayor Jan Hill said the borough’s 1 percent municipal sales tax for tourism promotion and economic development will be on the agenda at Tuesday’s assembly meeting. Resident Sally McGuire last month spoke at an assembly meeting and said she was ready to collect signatures to abolish the tax, but said the assembly “should take the lead […]
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Posted inElections, News
Open seat to be decided in vote; Assembly can’t agree; one member suggests pulling name out of hat
After a two-hour stalemate and failed compromise Monday, the five remaining members of the Haines Borough Assembly ditched the appointment process to fill a vacated seat and instead will leave the decision to the voters, while acknowledging the delay may violate borough code. Mayor Jan Hill said she was upset by the assembly’s refusal to compromise to reach the […]
Posted inNews
Borough facilities director resigns
Departing Haines Borough facilities director Brad Maynard cited a “lack of teamwork and support” from the borough administration as his reason for leaving in a letter of resignation dated June 6. “I believe that what is needed to function effectively and efficiently will not materialize under the current organization,” Maynard wrote. “I thrive on productivity, professionalism and […]
Posted inNews
Borough helicopter group has yet to meet on 2011 season
Due to scheduling conflicts, the Haines Borough’s mayor-appointed helicopter skiing work group has yet to meet for an evaluation of this year’s season, said borough manager Mark Earnest. Following five public hearings to discuss a revised heli-skiing ordinance, the Haines Borough Assembly in March adopted an ordinance permitting up to three operators to share a 2,600-skier-day limit […]
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Borough seeks interest for revived committee
The Haines Borough is accepting applications for its re-established Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee through 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 21. The Haines Borough Assembly last month adopted an ordinance that revived an advisory committee for parks and recreation programs. The committee’s members would serve staggered, three-year terms. Those interested in the mayor-appointed committee should submit a letter of interest […]
Posted inNews
Survey: Rec center wanted most
Survey results presented at Friday’s Haines Borough comprehensive plan town hall meeting showed strong support for a community recreation center, road maintenance and improvement and Small Boat Harbor upgrades. “When we have elections in town, the community is split right down the middle,” said resident Thad Stewart. “The survey, to me, says that maybe we can find […]
Posted inNews
Borough health costs up 18 percent
The Haines Borough will budget an additional $86,217 for employee health insurance costs in the upcoming fiscal year, an 18 percent increase from last year. The local government will pay $554,676 to care for its workers next year. Following action at last week’s assembly meeting, the borough will pay $1,102 per employee per month, and workers will […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Open seat may go to appointee
Haines Borough attorney Brooks Chandler has recommended Greg Goodman’s vacated borough assembly seat be filled by appointment until the October municipal election. Karen Hess, who successfully challenged Goodman’s candidacy, said this week she still wants the seat. Juneau Superior Court Judge Philip Pallenberg last week ruled Goodman did not meet borough residency requirements when he was […]
Posted inNews
Manager gets $6K salary increase
The Haines Borough’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year includes a $6,000 pay increase for borough manager Mark Earnest. Earnest will earn $106,000 annually. He was set for a pay raise earlier this year, when Mayor Jan Hill and Haines Borough Assembly members discussed his performance at a March executive session, but the assembly did not approve the increase […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Borough OKs tour of mine
Rainbow Glacier Adventures is aiming to build off the success of the Discovery Channel’s reality TV series “Gold Rush: Alaska” with tours at John Schnabel’s Porcupine gold claim. The Haines Borough Assembly on April 26 approved a 2011 commercial tour permit for Joe Ordonez and Rainbow Glacier Adventures. The permit includes the new Gold Rush Tour to […]