Editor’s note: A more in-depth profile of Eben Sargent can be found here. Our next borough election is set to take place on Oct. 7. That means we’re working to get you the information you need to know to cast an informed vote here at the Chilkat Valley News. We asked Chilkat Valley residents to […]
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Posted inLocal News, Haines Borough
Assembly briefs: The Lutak Dock design, a new federal lobbyist, stalled bearproof trashcans and overwhelmed emergency services
During the first meeting of the new year, Haines Borough Assembly members discussed two long-running issues leftover from previous years and administrations. In addition to extensive testimony on the Lutak Dock, the group met in executive session to discuss a legal dispute with George and Lynette Campbell over an airstrip they built about 26 miles […]
Posted inHaines Borough, Local News, Elections
After one year on the Assembly, Dawson says she has more to accomplish
Natalie Dawson was born and raised in a suburb of Detroit. She first started coming to the Chilkat Valley more than two decades ago doing fieldwork as a wildlife biologist. She spent some time in the Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park and trapping along the Chilkat corridor while also studying essentially the retreat of ice sheets and […]
Posted inNews, Local News, Haines Borough
Longtime law firm quits Haines borough
The law firm that has represented the Haines Borough for more than 10 years will not seek to renew its contract. Charles Cacciola, an attorney for the firm Chandler, Falconer, Munson & Cacciola, LLP, did not respond to requests for comment about why the firm had decided not to renew the contract. In a letter […]
Posted inNews, Local News, Haines Borough
Borough clerk resigns, blames assembly and planning commission
In a blow to the already short-staffed borough Haines Borough clerk Alekka Fullerton is quitting her job due to what she called “a lack of respect for staff or staff’s work.” Mayor Tom Morphet read Fullerton’s letter of resignation during the April 9 assembly meeting. Fullerton and several other borough officials had tears in their […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Executive session was in the best interest of the Assembly and the public
As a result of the assembly’s decision last May to grant a conditional use permit for a heliport to George Campbell, the Haines Borough was named in two lawsuits – one filed by Chilkat Valley Rural Citizens, who claimed that the issuance of Campbell’s permit violated borough law, and a second filed by Campbell, challenging […]
Posted inPublisher's Column
Assembly sets a poor example when it ignores legal advice and meets in secret
Late Tuesday night the Haines Borough Assembly voted to go into a closed-door executive session which generally requires everyone – except one or two city staff – to leave the room so the assembly can talk in private. But, the meeting wasn’t exactly secret. Instead, they invited 21 members of the Chilkat Valley Rural citizens, […]
Posted inNews, Local News, Haines Borough
Assembly briefs: Changes to property tax assessments, restrictions on engine brakes, and a crowded executive session
Changes to the property tax assessment Much of the meeting was dominated by public testimony from members pushing the assembly to adopt changes proposed by an ad hoc committee it created in 2023 to look into the borough’s tax assessment process. The borough faced a lot of pushback after last year’s assessments when some people […]
Posted inSports
2023 Year in review
From massive infrastructure projects and property tax assessment controversies to big developments in tribal affairs, 2023 has been a full news year for the Chilkat Valley. Here is a brief summary of some of the developments on key issues affecting Haines residents. Tribal affairs Local tribes advanced several initiatives throughout 2023 ranging from Tlingit-language street […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
New assembly members put focus on transparency as they take office
Public referenda, goal-setting sessions, office hours and reinvigorated committees – those are a handful of proposals a new slate of assembly members have tossed out as they take office. New assembly members Craig Loomis, Natalie Dawson and Kevin Forster – plus new Mayor Tom Morphet – say their election represents Haines’ desire for more transparency and accountability […]