The leaders behind a recall effort aimed at ousting three Haines Borough Assembly members turned in signatures required to move ahead with the process. Borough clerk Julie Cozzi received the signatures Tuesday afternoon and has 10 days to certify that each signer is registered to vote in the borough. Recall sponsor Don Turner Jr. said he collected […]
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Posted inNews
Marijuana applications up to 5
Five commercial marijuana licenses are now in various stages of the application process for operating within the Haines Borough. Resident Shawn McNamara, doing business as Alaska Mountain Growers, applied for licenses for marijuana retail and cultivation. The address listed for the Alaska Mountain Growers cultivation facility is 1 Letnikof Drive and the retail location is listed […]
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Schnabel starts into manager’s job
Debra Schnabel began work as the Haines Borough manager Monday, wrapping up a controversial hiring process, but still leaving unanswered questions about how Schnabel will handle land use and contracting issues concerning her brother, Roger Schnabel. Roger Schnabel owns Southeast Roadbuilders and Skookum Holdings, two companies who regularly contract or work on projects in the borough. On […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Rules on conflicts-of-interest differ among Southeast towns
The Petersburg and Wrangell borough codes do not prohibit family members of public officers from contracting with their boroughs. Wrangell Borough Clerk Kim Lane said their borough manager’s son is an electrical contractor in town and he has contracted with the borough. Lane said not allowing him to do so would be discriminatory. “In a […]
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Friedenauer quits assembly, cites bullying, vitriol
Haines Borough Assembly member Margaret Friedenauer resigned her assembly seat Wednesday, citing bitterness, cynicism and a lost desire to lead. Krista Kielsmeier, executive assistant to the borough manager, also resigned Wednesday. Friedenauer penned a letter to the assembly and Mayor Jan Hill stating her resignation, effective immediately. “I have unfortunately strayed from focusing on issues and spend too […]
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Assembly balks at trooper bid to expand police role
The Haines Borough Assembly will seek legal advice regarding an Alaska State Trooper official’s opinion that the borough is responsible for policing boroughwide. The action comes after the Alaska Department of Public Safety offered a one-time, $25,000 payment to the Haines Borough for policing, on the condition that the borough provide policing outside the townsite. The area previously was […]
Posted inLocal News, Elections
Assembly seat draws 7 applicants
Seven residents are seeking appointment to the Haines Borough Assembly seat vacated by the resignation of Mike Case. The applicants include some who want more assembly representation by young people, the sponsor of the recent recall effort, and the borough’s former Mayor, who says she knows her way around borough code. The assembly will interview Paul Nelson, Sean […]
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Commission hears concerns about police, procedure
The Public Safety Commission last week discussed how complaints against police are handled and how to make sure those who brought up issues feel their concerns were addressed. Two residents spoke up during public comment and complained about interactions they’ve had with local police. Laurie Dadourian said she had a recent interaction with an officer […]
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Moment of silence, apology at meeting
At a meeting that included colorful moments, the Haines Borough Assembly Tuesday heard the tourism director explain why she recently resigned, slashed the mayor’s salary, and issued a public apology to residents barred from the borough office last year. They also voted to help cover rising costs in employee health insurance, and held a requested moment of […]
Posted inNews
Manager hire vote roils community
The Haines Borough Assembly’s 5-1 decision to hire Debra Schnabel as borough manager Tuesday has further engulfed a community already embroiled in controversy. As it stands, three borough assembly members are in the midst of a recall effort, another resigned Tuesday night after the manager hire, Haines Police officers have filed a grievance against the borough and, for many reasons, distrust […]