Preliminary diagrams for a Haines Borough “muniplex” have sparked discussion among community leaders and members of the ad-hoc Master Plan Steering Committee over whether such a facility should include a fitness center for police and fire personnel and whether the building should be one or two stories. The committee has requested a cost estimate from Anchorage-based architect […]
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Appeals board upholds most Canary valuations
Members of the Haines Borough Assembly acting as the Board of Equalization (BOE) May 21 slogged through the second round of appeals for nearly four hours, tackling 14 cases of Haines residents unsatisfied with their 2013 property assessments. The board struggled to come to consensus several times, as only four board members were present, the minimum number […]
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Assemblyman Vick looks at town trapping
Haines Borough Assembly member Steve Vick is taking up the issue of trapping in the townsite at Thursday’s Government Affairs and Services committee meeting. Trapping is currently allowed in the townsite, Vick said. Residents approached Vick over the winter after several dogs were caught in traps. Judy Ewald’s dog was caught around the neck by a trap […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Election change hits assembly opposition
Haines Borough Assembly members on Tuesday pulled from the agenda an ordinance aimed at changing assembly and school board election procedures. The ordinance, which was spearheaded by assembly member Debra Schnabel and scheduled for introduction Tuesday, would eliminate the current system in which candidates run against one another for designated, individual seats. Under the change, all candidate names would […]
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Police: Get rid of hybrid patrol cars
The Haines Borough Police Department is looking to replace two hybrid electric patrol vehicles purchased four years ago, due to concerns about their safety, practicality, and fuel economy. Interim police chief Simon Ford told the assembly during an April 23 budget meeting that the department’s two hybrid Ford Escape SUVs, purchased for $45,000 apiece in 2009, are […]
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Recruiting firm may assist next chief hire
Haines Borough Manager Mark Earnest is looking into several headhunting firms to see if they might be up to the job of finding Haines a new police chief. Earnest said during a Tuesday personnel committee meeting he would contact Minnesota-based Brimeyer Fursman LLC, the Washington-based Prothman Company, and Soldotna-based Russell Consulting LLC to explore the process and […]
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BOE upholds 24 assessments
Members of the Haines Borough Assembly acting as the Board of Equalization (BOE) Monday upheld 24 property assessments recommended by contract assessor Jim Canary. Canary said he and assistant assessor Dean Olsen have worked their way through about 100 appeals so far. The 24 cases heard at Monday’s hearing were largely the result of appellants not responding […]
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Panel seeks price tag on new muniplex
An ad-hoc committee charged with prioritizing the fate of public facilities in the Haines Borough is investigating how much it would cost to design and build a new structure containing the fire hall, jail, dispatch center, assembly chambers, government offices and possibly the visitor’s center. The building would go in the area of the existing public safety […]
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Assembly scratches $2,300 for new chairs
For assembly members, sitting around at meetings won’t be getting any easier. Members on Tuesday narrowly struck $2,300 from next year’s borough budget for new chairs around the dais. The assembly split 3-3 on the budget item, with Mayor Stephanie Scott breaking the tie with her vote to nix them. Members Steve Vick, Debra Schnabel and Joanne Waterman voted against the chairs; assembly […]
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Lowe gets $53K in payout, paid leave
Haines Borough Police Chief Gary Lowe will receive three months of paid leave plus a $36,000 payout as part of a “negotiated separation agreement” with the Haines Borough. The agreement, signed April 8 and released Tuesday, was negotiated between manager Mark Earnest, Lowe and attorney Brooks Chandler. It allows Lowe to remain on paid leave until June 17, when […]