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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Borough to add utility job; discuss donations

The Haines Borough will be adding a new, full-time employee to be split between the borough’s water and sewer departments at a cost of $53,540, including benefits. At a budget committee meeting May 3, Haines Borough Assembly member Greg Goodman asked why additional staff was necessary. “We’re barely able to get the proper testing and requirements just to stay […]

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Decision on trailers questioned

The Downtown Revitalization Committee, in an April 8 letter, asks the Haines Borough to rescind its March 14 decision  issuing land-use permits for two trailer-based businesses next to the post office, saying the move came without discussion by borough leaders. “We question the issuance of these permits prior to the discussion by the assembly and feel strongly […]

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Earnest, Hill detail Washington trip

Mayor Jan Hill and Haines Borough Manager Mark Earnest traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to lobby for money in support of projects such as Small Boat Harbor expansion and borough acquisition of Picture Point. “In my experience, and I’ve been doing this for over 20 years, it’s very important to have an elected official and someone with the administration,” Earnest […]