With 14 open seats, the upcoming general municipal election in Haines could be one of the most consequential in the town. The candidate filing period started Aug. 1, and ends Aug. 20. But so far, only one candidate has filed for office and has their declaration of candidacy certified by the borough, leading some to […]
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Posted inLetters to the Editor
Borough needs to listen to appraisers for property taxes
Todd Winkel was spot on when he stated in a July 27 Letter to the Editor, “After watching the Board of Equalization (BOE) meeting July 20, it was apparent there is no way to successfully appeal your property assessment.” The board listened to the evidence and spoke of the appellant meeting the threshold of a […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Appealing assessments feels rigged by board of equalization
After watching the Board of Equalization meeting July 20, it was apparent there is no way to successfully appeal your property assessment. One appellant gave a professional appraisal and a value from a local longtime realtor. Both valued the property $200,000 lower than the borough. The assessor replied to the appeal by retaliating and raising […]
Posted inNews
28-foot-long potato heading to Skagway
If you’re in Skagway Saturday, keep your eyes peeled for a 28-foot-long, 10-foot-wide, and 11.5-foot-tall potato that will pass through town on the community’s first-ever Idaho Potato Day. The potato on wheels is driven by a team of three, dubbed the “tater team,” who have traveled across the country to raise awareness of Idaho potatoes. […]
Posted inNews
$6 gas has motorists wondering why Haines is so expensive
Late last week, Steve Johnson, a tourist visiting Haines from Wisconsin, was grumbling about his gas bill: $92. “It kinda sucks. Just looking at gas in Skagway, which is where we’re going, it’s $5.05 (per gallon),” said Johnson. Haines fishermen, tourism businesses and vacationers have all been dealing with high gas bills as per-gallon prices […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted
By Tom Morphet Judy Hall Jacobson, Terry Jacobson, Nene Wolfe, Mark Kistler, and Mardell Gunn, and about a half-dozen other residents attended the annual Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival in Haines Junction, Y.T. Five bands from across Canada and the Lower 48 performed during the three-day event last weekend. Friends and family members of Stephanie Scott celebrated the life of […]
Posted inNews, Alaska Marine Highway System
Winter ferry schedule proposed
Haines would get ferry service between four and five times per week under a winter draft schedule by the Alaska Marine Highway System. Community leaders this week praised the schedule, which includess more stops than at any time since 2019. “That should allow people to go for medical appointments and everything else, as long as […]
Posted inNews
Borough, DNR talk about state parks
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources commissioner John Boyle met with Haines Borough Manager Annette Kreitzer and Mayor Douglas Olerud on June 19 to discuss challenges facing state parks. The Chilkat Valley is home to five state park facilities: Chilkat State Park, Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Site, state campgrounds at Portage Cove and Mosquito Lake, and the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Tourism tax may lose designation
A proposal that would do away with restrictions on how two local sales taxes are spent could face voters in the fall. Currently, the Haines Borough levies a 1% sales tax that can be spent only on tourism and economic development and a half-percent tax designated for emergency medical service. Last year, the borough collected about $677,000 […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Chamber of Commerce farewell
By Andrew Letchworth To all of Haines, but especially the business community. You’ve probably heard I’m stepping down as the Haines Chamber of Commerce Director. The rumors are true; this time, I’m officially stepping down. I’ve threatened to do it several times, but my love for this community and my passion for helping entrepreneurs like […]