The next phase of the Lutak Dock progressive design-build replacement project was approved unanimously by the Haines Borough Assembly on Tuesday. Several residents expressed concern about the cost of the project and urged the assembly to not move forward with the decision. The borough’s boat harbor enterprise fund will source $2.4 million of the project. A federal grant from […]
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Posted inNews
A brief guide to surviving Haines Borough politics
From the practical to the philosophical, current and former elected officials weighed in on how assembly members can survive and thrive in their roles, and how the public can help, too. The following story is the continuation of a series exploring the reasons why six assembly members have resigned in the last six years, and […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly Briefs
Jones to fill assembly vacancy The Haines Borough Assembly voted unanimously for Margarette Jones to serve on the assembly until the next election in October. The seat was declared vacant following the resignation of former assembly member Tyler Huling. The motion, created by assembly member Jerry Lapp, was carried unanimously. “I know in years before we have done […]
Posted inNews
Planning commission denies cease-and-desist appeal
An order from the borough manager to cease and desist heliport operations at Airkat Airpark was delivered to George and Lynnette Campbell last month. The private airstrip at 26 Mile of Haines Highway was ordered to shut down until a conditional use permit (CUP) was granted. The Campbells appealed the action to the borough’s planning commission on […]
Posted inNews
Assembly to consider residency requirement to on empowered boards
The borough’s GASC committee recommended the assembly require one year of residency before serving on empowered government boards, such as the planning commission. The motion, created by Debra Schnabel and seconded by Gabe Thomas, will be reviewed by the assembly next Tuesday. Schnabel suggested the one year rule work in tandem with additional efforts to familiarize commissioners […]
Posted inNews
Resident appeals heli permit vote
A resident who lives near a proposed heliport at 24 Mile Haines Highway is appealing the Haines Borough Planning Commission’s Dec. 8 approval of a conditional-use permit for the heliport, which would be used for heliskiing operations. The planning commission voted 3-2 to approve a permit application from Chilkat River Adventures to build a heliport along the Chilkat River west of Wells Bridge — a decision […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Borough lives up to word of the year
Planning commission on the 24-mile heli-port: We don’t live up there so we will listen to 24-Mile area residents. 24-mile area residents: We don’t want a heliport. Planning commission: heliport approved. Turnagain Marine Construction on the Lutak dock: Yes, handymax ships would be able to dock here. Yukon Mining Executives: We could make this dock work for us. Haines Borough: […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Democracy at its worst
As I do every morning, I’m outside drinking my coffee in the quiet that surrounds my home when I realize that my life will be forever changed because the planning commission decided what’s best for me, leaving me to wonder if democracy even exists in the Haines Borough anymore. The planning commission showed us democracy at its […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Planning commission decisions sparks calls for election of members
A controversial Dec. 8 planning commission meeting motivated a citizen and borough assembly member to seek turning the commission into an elected body rather than an appointed one. The call for change, which could occur through a ballot initiative or by assembly decision, came a few days after the seven-member commission, operating with only five […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Embarrassed by planning commission
Last week’s planning commission meeting was disturbing. Despite vocal opposition from nearby residents and the Chilkat Indian Village, Commissioners Diana Lapham, Don Turner and Richard Clement voted to allow yet another heliport in our small community. Prior to the three-to-two vote, Lapham said she had helicopters flying over her house everyday and that the noise didn’t bother […]