After four months of inactivity, the Haines Borough Assembly took a step toward hiring a new, permanent manager, setting meeting dates for the Personnel Committee to review the job description and for a town hall to gather public input about the manager’s role. Haines has been without a permanent manager since Debra Schnabel was fired by the assembly in […]
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Candidates talk mining during final forum
The Haines chapter of the Alaska Miners Association hosted the final forum of the election season this week where candidates answered questions related to the future of mining in the Chilkat Valley and Constantine Metal Resources exploration at the Palmer Project. Liz Cornejo, former vice-president of community affairs of Constantine, hosted the forum via Zoom. […]
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Candidates discuss firing, budget and cultural institutions
Questions about an ore terminal, the firing of manager Debra Schnabel and the best way to keep cultural institutions open during economically challenging times highlighted differences in Haines Borough Assembly and mayoral candidates at forums this past week. KHNS and the CVN co-hosted a forum Monday for the six assembly candidates—Brenda Josephson, Jerry Lapp, Cheryl Stickler, Caitie Kirby, Carol Tuynman […]
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5 moose harvested by 3rd day of season
Moose hunting season began Tuesday and hunters harvested three legal animals on opening day. Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) wildlife biologist Carl Koch said he was unable to spot many moose during recent surveys due to weather conditions, but estimates the population at around 400 moose, which is healthy. “We hope to see […]
Posted inNews, Alaska Marine Highway System
AMHS finalizes winter ferry schedule
The Alaska Marine Highway System began accepting bookings for its winter ferry schedule this month. Under the finalized winter schedule, Haines will receive three port calls a week—Sunday, Tuesday, Friday—from the LeConte until the vessel goes into layup in mid-February. After that, the community will receive a weekly visit from the Matanuska until the LeConte […]
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Interim manager describes AIDEA conversation
News of a meeting between borough staff, Mayor Jan Hill and the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) regarding Lutak Dock repair needs is generating interest among local conservation groups. In a Sept. 14 email, Lynn Canal Conservation criticized the borough for lack of transparency about the discussion with AIDEA, and urged the public to contact assembly members and request a […]
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Candidates differ in COVID-19 response and new revenue ideas
Messages from mayoral and assembly candidates at the Haines Chamber of Commerce’s Sept. 9 forum were largely the same. The eight candidates—two mayoral and six assembly— emphasized working together and the need to create more business opportunities in Haines to help stimulate the economy, without offering many specifics. Areas where the candidates distinguished themselves included […]
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Union filed grievance against borough over Alten firing
The Haines Borough is dealing with a July 14 grievance from Public Employees Local 71, the borough’s employees union, filed on behalf of former museum director Helen Alten, who was fired on June 30. A grievance is a formal process for resolving disputes relating to interpretation of the borough’s collective bargaining agreement. Alten said she decided to […]
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Should the permanent fund be tapped?
A measure on the ballot for the Oct. 3 election has sparked debate over the Haines Borough permanent fund’s purpose—whether the principal should function as a “rainy day” savings account during economic disasters, or whether the fund is strictly intended to support the borough through its earnings. The ballot measure, which the assembly approved in June, asks […]