Two Tlingít villages in Southeast Alaska will receive apologies for wrongful military action from the U.S. Navy this fall. The first of those apologies will take place in Kake this weekend, where U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Mark B. Sucato will acknowledge the harms of a bombardment in 1869. An apology in Angoon is scheduled for […]
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Assembly briefs: A new grant for the public safety building, an appeal to FEMA drags on, a dozen applicants for the borough manager position, and a new park
Find the September 10 Haines Borough Assembly agenda here. A new grant for the public safety building The borough has been given the opportunity to apply for a $20 million community change grant with the borough potentially getting another $14 million for a public safety training center. The aging building has been a concern for […]
One size of municipal government doesn’t fit all in Alaska
When I think of local governments in Alaska, I’m often reminded of just how different they are. There’s no easy way to say that one decision or another will impact all cities and boroughs equally as they’ll experience policy and budget decisions on a very individual basis. Size is a pretty important factor, both in […]
Duly Noted: Guitar camp, a rare gyrfalcon sighting, and it’s bear-proofing season
Rob Goldberg recently traveled to the Acoustic Alaska guitar camp, which has been happening for 22 years in Wasilla. He said it was his 10th year, almost consecutively except he skipped one during the pandemic. For a long time, Goldberg said he was the only person from Haines traveling to the camp. But this year […]
This Week in History: Lutak sinkhole, cruise ship head-tax, and local woman participates in world craft show
September 11, 2014 – Another sinkhole opens at Lutak A fourth sink hole has opened up at the Lutak Dock, a reminder that the Haines Borough structure is in serious need of repair or replacement. The hole about 18 inches in diameter was discovered last week, said harbormaster Phil Benner. The hole is a result […]
Re-election message for Schnabel was misleading
Haines, we still have a problem. Last week, Carol Tuynman submitted a letter in the CVN containing misleading information while promoting support for Debra Schnabel’s reelection campaign. She stated the current assembly “inherited from the previous assembly a property assessment disaster,” and today we have “Alaska State Law that protects property owners.” The letter implies […]
This Week in History: Save the trees, maybe it’s the plankton, and a missed deadline
10 years ago 09/04/2014 Board rejects digital meeting packet The Haines Borough school board on Tuesday almost voted to do away with printed meeting packets, before getting hung up on the question of providing computers to board members. Board members instead voiced support for posting meeting packet information and agendas on the district’s website. Tuesday’s […]
Support incumbents Natalie Dawson and Debra Schnabel in the Oct. 1 election
My brother Paul Nelson, who grew up in Haines, informed me when I moved here 20 years ago, “If you want to know what you are doing, ask your neighbor.” As a past borough assembly member, I’ve noticed—If I want to know what the Haines Borough Assembly is doing I need to attend meetings and […]
Citing workload, Ben Aultman-Moore steps down from Assembly early
Assembly member Ben Aultman-Moore is stepping down a year early. The remaining year on his three-year term is one of three seats up for grabs in the October municipal election. He said the decision was recent and driven by a number of things – but the biggest factor was time. “I make the majority of […]
Assembly Briefs: The Lutak Dock saga, progress at Portage Cove, and a cruise tourism study
A cruise ship study, ongoing contention with the Lutak Dock contractor and downtown camping opportunities were some of the things on the Haines assembly agenda on Tuesday evening. Members met for about three and a half hours and also heard a lot of testimony from residents frustrated with the management of the Chilkoot Lake State […]

