Mayor Tom Morphet controversially cut off a public commenter, assembly members considered an appeal to FEMA over canceled funding, and a new police chief was recommended.
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Posted inLetters to the Editor
Here’s why I cut public comment short
As a former newspaper publisher and a Haines Borough Assembly member whopushed to get a second public comment period on assembly meeting agendas, I amsensitive to complaints that I limited free speech or censored public comment atTuesday’s Haines Borough Assembly meeting. As meeting chair, it’s my job to maintain order and decorum during meetings.During public […]
Posted inLocal News, Energy
‘We’re way behind’: EV charging station in Haines could bring tourists, help locals
Shelby Flemming has an electric car, but it’s not doing her much good this winter. She lives on Mosquito Lake Road, and owns a 2015 Nissan Leaf that has a 70 mile range — but only when it’s warm. Using the heater in colder weather, it doesn’t have the range to get to her work […]
Posted inNews, Local News, Wildlife
Governor axes Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve council as legislators question constitutionality
In one of his first executive actions of the new year, Gov. Mike Dunleavy dissolved the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council in the name of the “best interests of efficient administration.” The Legislature has 60 days to undo the action, based on state statute. The advisory council was established in 1982 along with the […]
Posted inLocal News, Klukwan, News
Borough clashes with FEMA, Klukwan over canceled funding
The Haines borough manager said she thinks the Federal Emergency Management Agency erred when it found that the borough had broken federal rules in rebuilding Porcupine Trail Road last summer. In a Dec. 22 memo, FEMA wrote that the borough, through its contractor Southeast Road Builders, had violated the conditions of its $1.4 million grant. […]
Posted inNews, Southeast News
Here’s where Lutak Dock stands after revelations of steel order
By Lex Treinen and Rashah McChesney Borough officials are on edge waiting for news from the federal government about where the $25 million Lutak Dock replacement project stands after revelations that its contractor ordered millions of dollars worth of steel before getting approval. “We really don’t know anything until MARAD responds to us,” said borough […]
Posted inSports
2023 Year in review
From massive infrastructure projects and property tax assessment controversies to big developments in tribal affairs, 2023 has been a full news year for the Chilkat Valley. Here is a brief summary of some of the developments on key issues affecting Haines residents. Tribal affairs Local tribes advanced several initiatives throughout 2023 ranging from Tlingit-language street […]
Posted inNews
‘They did this at their own risk’ Borough officials say Lutak Dock contractor spent $10M on steel without approval
The contractor tasked with rebuilding Lutak Dock spent nearly $10 million on steel without authorization from the federal government. Haines Borough officials say they didn’t authorize the purchase either. But, documents shared with CVN raise questions about what borough officials knew and when. They include a Nov. 17 email from Turnagain informing the borough that it had spent millions […]
Posted inNews
Pressure builds around Lutak Dock rebuild discussions
Pressure is building on the Haines Borough Assembly to look into a $20 million project to rebuild Lutak Dock as a cargo facility for the borough after dozens of residents wrote into the assembly to request the project be slowed down or put on hold. The project has divided the community for months, with opponents saying the borough doesn’t […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Appointed board of equalization, other changes considered by ad-hoc tax committee
Longer appeal periods, more data on assessment mailings, and an appointed board of equalization could be among a slew of code changes regarding how property taxes are assessed in the borough, as recommendations from an ad hoc committee begin to take shape. The recommendations follow upheaval in the borough’s tax assessment process. A steep rise […]