Work on Haines Borough‘s 10-year comprehensive plan got under way on Tuesday as tensions between environmentalists and resource developers and concerns over the process for developing the plan simmered below the surface. Boroughs are required to periodically update their comprehensive plans under state law. The plans guide the planning commission and assembly about code and zoning […]
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Posted inLetters to the Editor, Housing
Assembly’s vision conflicts with public
The borough’s vision for Haines often runs against what many residents want. It is allowing—without question—an international mining company to despoil our land and salmon streams. The borough manager works tirelessly to turn our residential neighborhoods into heliports or large event venues—regardless of how many residents beseech her not to. We were told affordable housing […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Special election passes 445-248
The initiative petition to elect Haines Borough Planning Commissioners passed 445 to 248 after Tuesday’s special election. Voter turnout was 29% and the initiative passed by a 64% margin. Borough clerk Alekka Fullerton said the borough assembly will be charged with how the election proceeds. Fullerton advised the assembly to phase in the election of members as […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Elect our planning commission
This week the CVN was flooded with more letters than I can recall ever being submitted. In order to save space, we grouped letters according to their subject matter under one headline. -Kyle Clayton Many support an elected planning commission I support the election of Haines Borough Planning Commission. Election of officeholders gives the voters a direct […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
We’re concerned about mining impacts
This week the CVN was flooded with more letters than I can recall ever being submitted. In order to save space, we grouped letters according to their subject matter under one headline. -Kyle Clayton This is just a reminder that mining remediation is forever. As a former resident of Haines, I still care about the […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Did they consider our voices?
I’m writing today to respond to the heliport CUP awarded to applicant Campbell at 26-mile Chilkat Lake Road, because I didn’t think any of our letters of opposition were read. This is how it’s done here — do it first and get permits later. Now it looks like the applicant is going to change the zoning the […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Special election set for June 6
A special election — asking voters whether the planning commission should be elected — will be June 6. In March, Tom Morphet and nine other sponsors of the petition garnered 317 signatures, more than the required 260, to get the question on the ballot. A positive vote would make the seven-member body elected to three-year […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Please close “Pandora’s Box”
As a member of the Planning Commission when this heliport idea surfaced all those years ago, the overwhelming recommendation of the Commission was all commercial helicopter operations be based out of the Haines airport. This was done for obvious reasons, mostly public safety and public and environmental health. The assembly ignored it and hired a professional consultant […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Special election set to elect planning commission
A special election that will ask voters whether the planning commission should be elected will be held June 6. Tom Morphet and nine other sponsors of the petition garnered 317 of the required 260 signatures to get the question on the ballot. A positive vote would make the seven-member body elected to three-year staggered terms. […]
Posted inNews
Effort to elect planning commission advances
Tom Morphet submitted an application for a ballot initiative petition this week that would require planning commissioners to be elected rather than appointed. A controversial planning commission meeting last December motivated Morphet to seek turning the commission into an elected body after the seven-member commission, operating with only five members, voted 3-2 to permit a heliport at […]