At the Haines Borough Assembly meeting on Tuesday, the assembly made plans to rehash the proposed museum separation ordinance and introduce a slightly revised version at the next meeting. There was some disagreement among assembly members about how much of the relationship between the borough and the museum should be defined in borough code versus in a […]
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Posted inLetters to the Editor
Cell phones (redux)
At the risk of sounding like a nag, I feel compelled, once again, to raise the specter of the dangers Haines faces by not having a working Borough-wide cell phone network. A repeat of last year’s slide disaster, neighborhoods cut off from contact with rescuers, EMT/fire/power/water/road repair services, the anxiety of not knowing the status […]
Posted inNews
Power restored but Beach Road remains closed to public
Last week electricity was restored to the last of the Beach Road houses that had been cut off from power since the December landslide that killed two people and destroyed homes. For eight months, Art and Dawn Woodard have been living at the Covenant Life Center, unable to return to their house near the Battery […]
Posted inNews
Kreitzer, borough reach job agreement
Although a contract has yet to be signed, Mayor Douglas Olerud and assembly member Paul Rogers reached an agreement over employment terms with prospective borough manager Annette Kreitzer. She’ll be paid $130,000 and work one year under probationary status before a 3-year contract is offered. The assembly will also evaluate her job performance after three and nine […]
Posted inNews, Public Safety
Attractants, garbage continue to draw bears
Fish and Game meets with borough leaders Bear attractants remain an issue in Haines, according to a CVN review of more than 140 police reports, and are associated with property damage that’s continuing at nearly the same rate as last summer. Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologists came to town this week in response […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly Briefs
Assembly cuts Mayor’s salary The assembly voted unanimously to reduce the mayor’s annual salary to $7,000 from $15,000. The cut will not go into effect until after October’s mayoral election. Several members of the public have criticized the reduction. Carol Tuynman said that while she appreciated the effort to reduce costs and improve efficiencies, she […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly to introduce seasonal sales tax ordinance
Should the Haines Borough have a seasonal sales tax? The assembly’s Commerce Committee considered the idea at a meeting Tuesday before unanimously recommending an ordinance placing the question on the October municipal ballot. Members said the seasonal sales tax discussion was spurred by a desire to generate more revenue for Haines’ crumbling infrastructure, without placing the brunt […]
Posted inNews
Battery Point trail open but access remains restricted
Alaska State Parks officials are asking the public to refrain from using the Battery Point trail until the Haines Borough reopens Beach Road, which could happen as soon as the end of the month. Although technically open to the public, the popular hiking trail located at the end of Beach Road has been inaccessible since Dec. 2 […]
Posted inNews
Soul, Punk and Metal bands to perform at state fair
Diggin Dirt, a California funk and soul band influenced by James Brown and Sly and the Family Stone, heads up a heavily regional roster of Main Stage acts at this year’s state fair. Additional acts will perform at the Park Stage. Headed by soul man Zach Alder, the seven-piece Diggin Dirt includes two saxophones and […]
Posted inNews
Canada border opens, with restrictions
News that Canada would open its borders to U.S. citizens making non-essential trips starting Aug. 9 this week energized residents and business owners, but that was tempered by a U.S. decision Wednesday to keep its border closed to all but essential travel until at least Aug. 21. Border crossings into Canada will require proof of […]