Posted inDuly Noted

Duly Noted: A dozen Dunk the Mayor, trash king and queen named, Bridge players take second in tournament

Dozens of residents came out for the spring clean up, organized by the Haines Chamber of Commerce. Pete and Joan Degen were named Trash King and Trash Queen for collecting the most trash over the weekend “It’s really about her. I married into that,” said Pete Degen. “(Picking up trash) is a way of being […]

Posted inNews, Public Safety

After eventful three years in Haines, Olerud steps down as mayor

When Douglas Olerud took over as Haines Mayor in November of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing. A few weeks later, a fatal landslide on Beach Road shook the community to its core. Many public officials credited Olerud with improving public discourse and trust in government throughout his term. As he stepped down, he was […]

Posted inLetters to the Editor

Tom Morphet for Borough Mayor

Two very different candidates are vying for Haines Borough’s mayoral seat. Jan Hill — highly experienced in seats of power, serious about politics, possessing a guarded political style, and playing things “close to the vest.” Tom Morphet — gregarious, a writer and storyteller by trade, neither guarded nor political in his personal style. Jan Hill has repeatedly campaigned as […]

Posted inElections, News

Assembly, mayoral candidates square off at chamber forum

Haines’ two mayoral candidates and four of the five assembly candidates squared off on economic development issues for the first public candidates ‘forum on Friday, hosted by the chamber of commerce. Candidates sparred over the borough’s involvement in infrastructure projects and presented different visions of how the borough should promote economic development. The questions about Lutak Dock […]

Posted inNews

Assembly boosts pay for itself and mayor

The Haines Borough Assembly voted overwhelmingly to boost pay for itself and for the Mayor at an assembly meeting on Aug. 22, despite reservations about the timing and optics of the increase. Under the new pay scale, members will get paid $175 per regular or special assembly meeting, not including committee meetings. The mayor’s pay will be boosted from […]