Citizens are questioning Haines Borough policy and procedures, including how information to the assembly is screened at the borough office and whether the Mayor should be routing issues straight to committee without assembly direction. The issue of what makes it on to the agenda arose in recent weeks when Haines Animal Rescue Kennel director Tracy Mikowski was told by […]
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Want to speak to Assembly? Sign-up required
Members of the public wishing to testify during a public hearing at a Haines Borough Assembly meeting will now have to sign up ahead of time. Mayor Jan Hill recently renewed the practice, which requires members of the public seeking to testify at a public hearing to use a sign-in sheet placed on a table outside the assembly chambers. […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Volunteers boosted Girl Scouts
The Junior Girl Scouts of Haines have had a great year of scouting over the 2014-15 school year. I would like to thank those who helped make it possible: Stephanie Scott gave a tour of the borough offices, Jasmine Taylor created jewelry with the girls, Jacque Horn taught photography, Brigid O’Connor discussed what it means to stay […]
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Proposal to eliminate comment period dies
An ordinance that would have cut the second public comment period at Haines Borough Assembly meetings has died. Assembly member Mike Case proposed the ordinance with Mayor Jan Hill’s endorsement. Before it could be introduced on April 14 at the assembly level, it was pulled from the agenda and sent to the Government Affairs and Services Committee due to […]
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Sosa: Borough likely to sell trailer
After buying a $12,500 trailer to house the Haines Borough’s public facilities director, it appears the director in the next fiscal year will be either moved into the administration building or put back into the borough offices on the second floor of the Public Safety Building. The issue arose Tuesday when assembly member George Campbell […]
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Public participation plan released
Borough effort seeks to improve process The Haines Borough released its draft Public Participation Plan last week, a 12-step effort outlining how the borough can better engage the public in the formation of important policies, laws and regulations. The plan, drafted by community and economic development director Bill Mandeville, was prompted by citizens and assembly members voicing […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Case: End 2nd comment period
Swift opposition sends idea to committee Opposition to an ordinance that would eliminate the public comment period at the end of Haines Borough Assembly meetings pushed the legislation into committee before it could even be discussed at the assembly level. Though the ordinance proposed by assembly member Mike Case was initially scheduled for introduction Tuesday, comments from […]
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Chamber questions scope, cost of harbor expansion
The Haines Chamber of Commerce says that a financial plan for improvements to the Small Boat Harbor should be in place before construction starts. Under the Haines Borough’s current timeline, work on the expansion project would begin in the fall or next spring. The comments of the business group were among 15 written ones on […]
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Mining forum digs into questions of regulation
Government mining agencies defended their regulation of the industry while watchdog and conservation group representatives said additional citizen-led protections are necessary for safe mine operation during a panel discussion and presentation Tuesday at the Chilkat Center. Panelists seemed to generally agree that large mines in Alaska are more tightly regulated for fisheries impacts than mines […]
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Mining experts to speak in valley
Four speakers with mining-related expertise will visit Haines and Klukwan next week for presentations and panel discussions on mining in Alaska. The informational meetings will be held Tuesday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Chilkat Center and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Klukwan ANS Hall. They are sponsored by the Takshanuk Watershed Council, Haines […]