A controversial proposal for a downtown 5G tower has prompted pushback, and now, a potential change to borough code. The 115-foot cell tower would be built by AT&T, on their existing property next to the Haines School. That’s part of the problem, as some residents who believe 5G waves can potentially cause cancer say the […]
Search results
Posted inThis Week in History
This Week in History: Restricting public comment, a friendship pole, board cutting criticism
10 years ago Proposal to eliminate comment period dies An ordinance that would have cut the second public comment period at Haines Borough Assembly meetings has died. Assembly member Mike Case proposed the ordinance with Mayor Jan Hill’s endorsement. Before it could be introduced on April 14 at the assembly level, it was pulled from […]
Posted inLocal News
Assembly Briefs: Lutak Dock takes a step back to go forward, assembly compensation, 5G and defense of the pool
Lutak Dock Lutak Dock has been a week-after-week topic for the assembly this year, particularly with looming mediation in the borough’s dispute with contractor Turnagain Marine. That process was supposed to begin this month, but the borough has now changed course. Interim borough manager Alekka Fullerton announced Tuesday night that the borough and Turnagain have […]
Posted inLocal News
Borough code says assembly members should be offered health insurance, many did not know
There are many reasons people are drawn to serve on the borough assembly, but the pay is not one of them. With just a small stipend, it’s generally understood the position is public service, and not a job with a living wage. However, it’s possible assembly members are entitled to more than they are currently […]
Posted inHaines Herring
Canada Takes First Step to Annex Alaska
Canadian Prime Minister Carney, sporting a MATA (Make Alaska Territorial Again©) hat, opened multiple border crossings on April 1 and offered instant citizenship to Alaskans who want to trade in their stars and stripes for the maple leaf. According to an unnamed source: “We could take Alaska by force, but that wouldn’t be very Canadian, […]
Posted inHaines Borough, Local News
Budget nuggets: From payroll to heated showers, Assembly looks for places to cut
It’s budget season for the Haines borough, kicked off by an assembly discussion Thursday night to go line-by-line through its areawide general fund. The budget determines taxation – who gets taxed and by how much – and spending, on services like education, the pool, public safety and economic development. Balancing this year’s budget has been […]
Posted inLocal News
Assembly briefs: Property tax exemptions, road improvements, taxes, and mining
Community Purpose (Property Tax) Exemptions It’s been a contentious start to budget season already, with back and forth debate on non-profit funding spread across many of the last few assembly meetings. That debate was, at least in part, renewed Tuesday night, this time on the issue of Community Purpose Tax Exemptions. That property tax exemption, […]
Posted inLocal News, Housing
Assembly and planning commission consider allowing ‘granny flats’ to address housing shortage
Faced with a housing shortage, the borough assembly and planning commission will consider whether to allow adding small apartments, sometimes called “granny flats,” to single-family-zoned lots. The secondary units are often called accessory dwelling units or ADUs. The housing shortage is an issue that has been under discussion at the borough level for several years. […]
Posted inLocal News
Planning commissioners register concerns over assembly settlement
Planning commissioners clashed with borough assembly representatives at last week’s planning commission meeting over the assembly’s recent settlement deal with Southeast Roadbuilders. The settlement deal ended a years-long appeals process with Southeast Roadbuilders (SERB) by granting a conditional use permit that had first been approved by a planning commission in 2023, then denied by a […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted: Chance encounters, culinary updates, puzzles, bike rides, and a retirement
Chilkat Valley News alumni Francisco Martínezcuello and Lex Treinen had a chance encounter in Weaverville, California, on March 29. Treinen was on a road trip through northern California. He stopped at the Lava Beds National Monument, Lassen National Park (which was closed due to snow) and looked for morel mushrooms, unsuccessfully, near Red Bluffs California. […]