Why did the settlers of the Chilkat Valley vote to create a City of Haines 100 years ago? Stories told for years by old-timers averred that the need to control stray dogs was the issue that tipped the scales toward support of a local government. In “Haines: The First Half Century,” late historian Lib Hakkinen […]
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Posted inNews
Borough officials lobby in D.C.
The Haines Borough recently spent $7,500 sending three leaders on a lobbying trip to Washington, D.C. The money was well spent, according to Mayor Jan Hill, assemblyman Jerry Lapp and facilities manager Brad Maynard, who made the four-day trip. The group met with U.S.senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich and staff of U.S. Rep. Don Young. Other meetings included with U.S. […]
Posted inObituaries
Menaker taught by example, launched local efforts
A memorial will be held 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Haines Assisted Living for Vivian Menaker, a 55-year Haines resident, teacher and conservationist who helped establish Chilkat Valley Preschool and Haines Headstart. Menaker died of heart disease and cancer June 1 at the HAL facility. She was 90. "She was a teacher. She taught children, and […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Borough pays for big bang
The Haines Borough plans to celebrate the municipality’s centennial with an expanded fireworks display, but at least one assembly member is afraid the rockets’ red glare will come too close to home. On a motion by member Scott Rossman, the assembly Tuesday approved $6,000 for Fourth of July fireworks, double the amount it spent last year. Combined […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Hill breaks tie, rejects raises for borough leaders
The Haines Borough Assembly May 11 voted 4-3 against giving themselves a $50 per meeting raise, with a $500 per month raise for the mayor. Under the proposed plan, assembly members also would have been compensated $50 for budget committee workshops required each year. Mayor Jan Hill cast the tie-breaking vote. She voted the raise down because she felt […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Public not served in PC Dock decision
It’s been suggested that the PC dock controversy is a tempest in a teapot. Well, maybe – but there’s another picture. Haines is being offered $5 million in grants, which won’t come again. We can still choose how to use it “probably, as long as it’s for harbor work.” Or so Bill Thomas has said. Tourism wants […]
Posted inThis Week in History
Tour permit ordinance raises larger issues
The Haines City Council on Wednesday introduced an ordinance establishing a system of city tour permits, but more work is expected before it’s adopted. Hearings will be March 21 and April 4. Residents, councilors, and members of the city tourism planning committee that drafted it expressed concerns about the ordinance on the same day it […]
Posted inLocal News
City considers collecting ambulance fees from rural residents
A mayoral proposal to begin collection of ambulance fees from non-city residents appears to be weakening. Faced with an audience of emergency response volunteers opposed to the proposal, the city’s public safety committee Tuesday voted against collection of the fees. Committee members Lynda Walker and Brian Lemcke wil carry their recommendation to the full council […]
Posted inLocal News, Commentary
Condominium planned for Pyramid Island
A twenty-story motor court is planned for Pyramid Island, it was announced yesterday by Samanda Motor Inns. A spokesman for the company stated it will be entering formal final negotiations to purchase Mud Bay cliffs and the island within the next 30 days. Plans call for rock and stone from the cliffs to be used […]
Posted inThis Week in History
City and State talk about acquiring Lutak dry cargo dock
In the space of a week, the federal government dry cargo dock at Lutak became the center of intense discussion among federal, state and city officials. The dock was the subject of a public meeting March 10, and a further meeting among officials at the three governmental levels took place yesterday at the city council […]