A Haines helicopter skiing company has agreed to pay more than $21,000 in fines and fees for flying on federal lands closed to the activity 54 times during 78 days of operation during the past two years. Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures signed a plea agreement containing the allegations, which was filed recently in federal district […]
Search results
Posted inNews
In 2013, projects belied forecast
For the first time since the rebuilt Haines School was oriented toward Old Haines Highway in 2007, students could make it to the school along a sidewalk. The $975,000 project was one of several changing the face of downtown in the past year. Work also started on the $6 million Soboleff-McRae Veterans Village and the […]
Posted inNews
Borough’s report upholds election
Mistakes were made during the Oct. 1 municipal election, but they were not egregious enough to warrant overturning the results and ordering a new election, according to a report written by Haines Borough staff and accepted by the assembly Tuesday. The assembly voted 5-0 to certify the election. Member Norm Smith was absent. school board candidate Ardy Miller, who challenged […]
Posted inNews
Assembly OKs tax on vehicles
After tabling it for nearly 10 months, the Haines Borough Assembly passed an ordinance establishing a motor vehicle registration tax Oct. 8. The ordinance, which creates a $22 flat tax vehicle owners must pay every two years, came back before the assembly at the recommendation of outgoing manager Mark Earnest. The assembly voted 4-2 to approve the […]
Posted inNews
Cozzi elevated to interim manager
Clerk Julie Cozzi will take the helm of the Haines Borough for up to three months while the assembly looks for a new manager to replace Mark Earnest. The assembly approved Earnest’s transition plan Tuesday, which moves Cozzi into the manager role and deputy clerk Michelle Webb into the clerk position upon Earnest’s departure. His last day is […]
Posted inNews
Assembly resists tourism study
The Haines Borough’s Tourism Advisory Board is asking for nearly $30,000 to conduct two tourism impact studies – one for the summer season, one for the winter – but the assembly is balking at the price tag and ambiguity of the proposal. The proposal, prepared by the McDowell Group, would consist of a 2013 summer […]
Posted inNews
Yurts, wall tents, RVs get assembly’s OK
People staying in yurts and wall tents can live there as long as they want, even though the Haines Borough Planning Commission would have it otherwise. The Haines Borough Assembly Aug. 27 struck down the planning commission’s recommendation to add yurts, recreational vehicles and wall tents to the borough code’s definition of “temporary use dwellings,” a change that would […]
Posted inNews
No headhunting for manager job
The Haines Borough Assembly will not hire a headhunting firm to find the municipality’s next manager, but will instead conduct the hiring process itself. The assembly voted 5-0 Tuesday to move ahead with advertising the position without the assistance of an outside firm. Assembly member Debra Schnabel recused herself from voting as she intends to submit an application for […]
Posted inNews
Borough may get help on manager hire
The Haines Borough Assembly appears to be leaning toward hiring a headhunting firm to find the municipality’s next manager, but assembly members still want some details hammered out first. The assembly met Monday as a committee of the whole to discuss how to move forward with the hiring of a new manager. Manager Mark Earnest said last week he’d […]
Posted inNews
Earnest says he’s leaving
The Haines Borough Assembly on Wednesday approved 5-1 the resignation of manager Mark Earnest. Member Norm Smith, a longtime Earnest critic, opposed the motion without comment. “I truly want to spend more time with my wife and son. I’ve been missing a good part of his development and maturity and it’s becoming very important to me now,” Earnest said […]