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 […]
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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 […]
Posted inNews
New assembly members put focus on transparency
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 […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Oct. 10 Assembly Briefs
Election results certified Official election results were announced at Tuesday’s assembly meeting after 19 absentee, question and special needs ballots were counted. Of the total 2,431 registered voters, 1,176 ballots were cast, a 48% voter turnout. About 60% of voters cast ballots on election day while 32% voted early. The final tally of votes saw […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Progressive candidates poised for elections sweep
Younger and more progressive candidates are poised to sweep the open seats in the assembly, mayoral and planning commission elections in Haines, held on Tuesday. “I think there’s a dissatisfaction in the general population about how the government has been operating,” said Tom Morphet, who won the mayoral race with about 53% of the vote. […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Experience is not always an asset
Incumbent candidates point to their experience as a central reason to be reelected. But what has been the community’s experience over the last few years? The Lutak Dock hasn’t been properly maintained. The neglected sewage treatment plant is still out of compliance. The Public Safety Building is rotting. The expanded harbor still has no new […]