Last week Tyler Huling resigned from the Haines Borough Assembly. She’s the sixth assembly member in six years to do so. This week, the CVN spoke with current and former public officials to ask: why are so many people resigning? Huling told the CVN there wasn’t a single reason she quit, but rather described a “slow […]
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Posted inNews
Winter Fest begins next weekend
Come sideways rain or dumping snow, this year’s Winterfest is expected to attract fierce competitors from all over the Chilkat Valley. The annual snowshoe race, glow-in-the-dark disc golf tournament, and Winter Games will take place at the fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. The Miles Klehini Classic cross-country ski tour will be held Sunday, […]
Posted inNews, Alaska Marine Highway System
AMHS to add two new sailings in February
The Alaska Marine Highway System is contracting with a private marine transportation company to add a ferry service two additional days this month. Golbelt will provide marine transportation from Juneau to Haines and Skagway on Thursday, Feb. 16 and Wednesday, Feb. 22. Haines and Skagway elected officials and borough and school staffs have been lobbying […]
Posted inNews
Lutak residents: Add bike path, lower speed limit
As the state moves ahead with a proposal to make changes to Lutak Road, some neighbors are advocating for adding a bike path and lowering the speed limit. A new bike lane from the ferry terminal to the Chilkoot recreation site and a 25 mile-per-hour speed limit past 8 Mile Lutak Road would help lessen traffic along the road, […]
Posted inNews
Assembly to consider residency requirement to on empowered boards
The borough’s GASC committee recommended the assembly require one year of residency before serving on empowered government boards, such as the planning commission. The motion, created by Debra Schnabel and seconded by Gabe Thomas, will be reviewed by the assembly next Tuesday. Schnabel suggested the one year rule work in tandem with additional efforts to familiarize commissioners […]
Posted inNews
Resident appeals heli permit vote
A resident who lives near a proposed heliport at 24 Mile Haines Highway is appealing the Haines Borough Planning Commission’s Dec. 8 approval of a conditional-use permit for the heliport, which would be used for heliskiing operations. The planning commission voted 3-2 to approve a permit application from Chilkat River Adventures to build a heliport along the Chilkat River west of Wells Bridge — a decision […]
Posted inNews
2022: Big year for post-pandemic firsts, Lutak Dock and late rogue crime wave
In 2022, some iteration of the phrase “back after pandemic hiatus” was scattered throughout CVN headlines and stories like crumpled surgical masks littered along city sidewalks and in coat pockets. From the annual Celebration canoe journey and Lynn Canal Community Players productions to the return of large cruise ships and Canadian tourists, 2022 marked the return of […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Planning commissioners should be elected
In the coming weeks, volunteers will be circulating a petition with this question, “Shall Haines Borough voters elect members of the Haines Borough Planning Commission?” With about 250 signatures of residents, this question will go to Haines voters. I encourage you to sign the petition and vote for this change in law. This change simply means the borough’s planning […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Planning commission decisions sparks calls for election of members
A controversial Dec. 8 planning commission meeting motivated a citizen and borough assembly member to seek turning the commission into an elected body rather than an appointed one. The call for change, which could occur through a ballot initiative or by assembly decision, came a few days after the seven-member commission, operating with only five […]
Posted inNews
DOT road transfer plan rooted in state policy
A proposal to improve Lutak Road in exchange for transferring three roads to the Haines Borough has shed light on a state program that favors projects that shift costs onto municipalities. The state selects community transportation projects through a competitive application process with a bias for proposals that involve transferring state-owned facilities to local governments. The Alaska Department of […]