Days before Alaska Gov. Walker was expected to address residents on the topic of Juneau access, Haines Borough Assembly members wavered over what message they would present to him. Assembly member Margaret Friedenauer requested to discuss the topic at Tuesday’s meeting so members could be on the same page about the borough’s position. The borough has historically […]
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Two meetings to give update on biomass project
A shift in plans for municipal biomass heat from wood pellets to chips will be a main topic at two informational public meetings next week hosted by the Haines Borough. Borough consultant Darsie Culbeck and biomass experts from the region will be on hand for meetings set for noon Monday at the assembly chambers and 7 […]
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‘Bully-proofing’ workshops set
Bullying isn’t something that just happens in schools, or among middle-schoolers. And it doesn’t always look like a student being pushed into a locker, or teased during recess. That’s part of the message Lynn Canal Counseling Service’s new “bully-proofing” campaign is trying to get across, said LCCS supervisor Kelly Williamson. Williamson and Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative coordinator […]
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Two manager candidates withdraw, 2 added for interview
Two finalists for the Haines Borough manager position have withdrawn their candidacies, including Dennis Koenig, the La Jara, Colo., city manager who came under fierce public scrutiny when community members were made aware of crass posts Koenig made on a public social media page. Finalist Ken Decker, county administrator of Caroline County, Md., also withdrew from […]
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Decision-making is forum focus
A community forum aimed at “Creating a Positive Future for Haines” attracted about 35 residents to the Chilkat Center Saturday, and zeroed in on perceived limitations of local government for resolving community issues. Resident John Norton said a “mechanism” was needed to engage the community in a “fruitful enlarging of understanding of all the issues […]
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Executive sessions close door on public
In the past month, the Haines Borough Assembly and its committees have met four times in closed-door sessions. According to a public notice, the assembly’s Personnel Committee may go into another executive session Friday to discuss interim manager applications, bringing that number to five. Some assembly members have questioned the practice or expressed concern about the lack […]
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Hill to serve as manager?
After about 45 minutes behind closed doors, the Haines Borough Assembly’s Personnel Committee voted 3-2 to recommend Mayor Jan Hill serve as acting manager through Dec. 31. Manager David Sosa’s last day on the job is Dec. 4. Committee members Diana Lapham and Mike Case, as well as Sosa, voted in favor of offering the position to Hill. Lapham nominated […]
Posted inLocal News, Haines Borough
Borough Briefs
Assembly cancels Dec. 18 meeting The Haines Borough Assembly unanimously voted on Tuesday to cancel their Dec. 18 meeting, in a suggestion brought forward by Mayor Jan Hill. “Typically we only have one meeting in December,” Hill said. “This year, for some reason because of the way Christmas falls, we have a meeting scheduled for the 18th this month.” […]
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Fisheries, ferries would suffer from government shutdown
Threats of a government shutdown stemming from the Alaska Legislature’s failure to pass a state budget have provoked anxiety in Haines, where 49 people could be laid off. According to Scot Arehart, the state’s Division of Finance director, 49 state employees in Haines received layoff notices that went out June 1. At Gov. Bill Walker’s […]
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Assembly members deride testimony
Members of a Haines Borough Assembly subcommittee tasked with hearing a citizen’s concerns about the formulation of meeting agendas called the man’s arguments and presentation “bullshit” and a waste of time Monday. Mayor Jan Hill charged the assembly’s Government Affairs and Services committee with considering concerns voiced by Mike Denker that borough code conflicts with borough policy when it […]