Should the Haines Borough spend $30,000 on a library addition design for assembly chambers that would ultimately cost upwards of $430,000 to build? Assembly members were divided 3-3 Tuesday evening in a vote, recommended by director of public facilities Brad Ryan, to authorize MRV Architects’ designs for new assembly chambers as part of the Haines Borough Public Library’s expansion. Mayor Jan […]
Search results
Posted inNews
Assembly advances publicly funded solid waste program: Mayor breaks tie vote
The Haines Borough Assembly narrowly advanced a ballot measure during its first public hearing Tuesday that would give voters the option to approve a 1 percent areawide sales tax increase to pay for a municipally managed solid waste program. The ordinance would provide for “regulation, operation and management of a municipal solid waste program that pays for […]
Posted inNews
Assembly adopts naming policy, mayor issues Ward statement
The Haines Borough Assembly voted 5-1 to adopt a naming policy that allows the body to name public places and facilities for individuals five years after they’ve died, or in a group’s case been disbanded for at least five years. The action comes after revelations surfaced earlier this month that former Haines School teacher, principal and superintendent […]
Posted inNews
Assembly and mayor disagree over commission appointment
The Haines Borough Assembly rejected Mayor Jan Hill’s recommendation to appoint Zach Ferrin to the planning commission—a decision that highlighted the political nature of the appointment process. The Mayor appoints board and commission members subject to assembly approval, according to borough code. When filling vacancies, local advisory bodies rank applicants based on a score sheet and recommend applicants to the Mayor, although […]
Posted inNews
Assembly questions mayor on commission appointments
A Haines Borough Assembly member and a public safety commission applicant are pushing to seek its board appointments after Mayor Jan Hill stopped scheduling meetings. At last Tuesday’s assembly meeting, Hill said the commission wasn’t working, in part, because the assembly rejected a public safety commission proposal to change its name and membership make-up. “The manager and I, because the […]
Posted inNews
Mayor, working group to sell solid waste plan to public
Haines Borough Mayor Jan Hill and borough manager Debra Schnabel are working to refine and release a publicly subsidized solid waste program plan that will be palatable for the public. The Solid Waste Working Group presented a plan to the borough assembly Monday that includes up to a 1 percent sales tax increase to help pay for the estimated $500,000 […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Divisive mayor hurts civil discourse
In Haines the mayor’s job is to run meetings with fairness and civility, ensuring that things go smoothly and with everyone having a voice. That’s how it should be. When things go otherwise it’s a sign of poor management. Under Jan Hill we’ve had endless angry meetings, limited citizen participation, representatives walking out (for any reason), serious […]
Posted inNews
One of these candidates will be Haines’ next mayor
Challenger Joanie Wagner says Haines needs a fresh perspective. Incumbent Jan Hill says experience counts. In one sentence, please describe the role of the mayor. Wagner: The Mayor sets the tone for our community and also is an example for the community. Hill: The role of the Mayor is to run assembly meetings, represent the community locally and beyond, and to […]
Posted inNews
Mayoral candidates differ on leadership style
Differences in leadership style and how to conduct civil discourse in the midst of divisiveness were two themes incumbent Mayor Mayor Jan Hill and challenger Joanie Wagner touched on during Monday’s candidate forum at the Chilkat Center. Wagner went on the attack in her opening remarks, criticizing Hill for enabling divisiveness in Haines. “The reputation of Haines has been […]