October 11, 1969 Willard “Moose” Sele became the Mayor of Haines for the next year after 61 people wrote in his name for the job for which no one had filed prior to the deadline. Incumbent councilman Henry Hartmann was re-elected for a three-year term, and Charles Jones was chosen to serve the other three-year term. In […]
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Posted inNews, Housing
Developer tax exemption pushed to third hearing with amendment
A proposed tax exemption for subdivision developers will go to a third public hearing on March 8. The Haines Borough Assembly voted 4-3 on Tuesday to amend the proposed ordinance that would establish a five-year property tax exemption on unsold and undeveloped lots in new subdivisions. Originally the exemption would have applied only to long-plat subdivisions of […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted
Barbara Pardee threw a “We are Sweet on Irene”-themed 90th birthday party for mother Irene Ward at Haines Assisted Living on June 15. Guests included HAL residents and staff, as well as Ray Menaker, John Schnabel and Marge Ward, all of whom are over 90. The party included a piñata filled with exercise balls, watermelon trivia, cake made by Barb Roberts, and watermelon poems […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly approves Lutak cell tower lease
The Haines Borough Assembly voted unanimously to approve a land lease agreement for a telecommunications tower near Lutak Dock. The agreement enables Vertical Bridge Development to build a tower that the company plans to sublease to Verizon Wireless, which would provide cell service to the Lutak area. Initial reports said the tower would have 5G capacity, but Vertical Bridge representatives said […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough, Housing
Developer tax exemption goes to hearings
The Haines Borough Assembly introduced an ordinance this week that would exempt taxes on unsold or undeveloped lots in subdivisions for up to five years. All six assembly members voted on Tuesday to follow the unanimous recommendation of the borough’s housing working group, which a week ago forwarded the tax idea to the assembly. The temporary exemption […]
Posted inNews
Roofs, sheds collapse after heavy snow then rain
Governor declares disaster emergency Heavy snow followed by rain last week damaged homes around town. Shori Heaton awoke on Sunday to find that her woodshed had collapsed under a wet snow load. Later that day, a slab of snow saturated with rain slid from her roof, tearing off her chimney. “I had people shoveling my […]
Posted inNews
Assembly grants heliski tour permit to fourth operator
After months of debate, the Haines Borough Assembly granted a heliski tour permit to a fourth operator in the Chilkat Valley. The Jan. 11 decision came three weeks after the assembly, in a 4-2 vote, adopted changes to the borough’s heliski code, raising a cap on tour permits for three years and replacing regulations on skier days with a limit on […]
Posted inNews, Alaska Marine Highway System
AMHS adds two sailings with private ferry
Following complaints about diminished ferry service to the upper Lynn Canal, the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) added two January sailings between Juneau, Haines and Skagway on a private catamaran. The passenger-only ferry will be operated by Goldbelt Inc., the Juneau-based Native corporation. The ship will leave Juneau at 8 a.m. on Jan. 24 and Jan. […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly approves motorized trail application, introduces yurt ordinance
The Haines Borough Assembly in December approved an application for a state grant to fund a motorized recreation trail near Lily Lake Road. The assembly voted 4-2 in favor of the application, with assembly members Caitie Kirby and Tyler Huling opposed. The trail would be a two-mile loop geared towards residents learning to ride ATVs, snow machines, […]
Posted inNews
Harbor board won’t pursue free but aging breakwater float
Harbormaster Shawn Bell reported that there would be too many issues with an aging breakwater float from Ketchikan that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had offered for free to protect Letnikof Harbor. “I love the idea of getting some protection out there. And I’m hoping to work with the Army Corps of Engineers to […]