This is to let our loyal readers know that the Haines News will no longer be updated after June 1. For about three years the Haines News kept folks informed regarding local politics and other happenings in Haines and southeast Alaska, but the project has been all-consuming. Now it’s time to take a break.
We urge all of our readers to continue to be informed about your local government, state politics, and national issues, and be involved wherever you can. And exercise your right to vote. If knowledgeable and honorable people do not become involved in local government, then others who do not share your viewpoint will be making the rules.
We owe a special thanks to folks who encouraged and helped us along, especially advertisers who made it possible for us to pay the bills and keep the project alive for these past few years. We also want to thank our readers (on our busiest days we saw over 2000 page views per day.) Finally, we need to thank our staff who have worked hard to keep the Haines news alive in a small town that is not wealthy enough to support two news outlets.
As always, we wish the best for Haines as a community.
by Becky Bohrer | ADN
JUNEAU — The Alaska Redistricting Board on Monday made what its executive director called significant changes to Southeast Alaska’s political boundaries in an effort to win court approval for the plan.
Taylor Bickford said the board adopted new districts that pair state Reps. Cathy Munoz, R-Juneau, and Bill Thomas, R-Haines, together. Reps. Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, and Kyle Johansen, R-Ketchikan, who had previously been paired, would no longer be. Sens. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, and Albert Kookesh, D-Angoon, would remain paired.
HAINES–The Haines Planning Commission will host two town meetings to invite public comment on the draft Comprehensive Plan this week. The comprehensive plan is the “roadmap” for future borough decisions and is valid through 2025, and your public comment on this document is important in the implementation process.
The first meeting, in Haines, will be Wednesday May 16 from 6-8 p.m. in the Haines High School Commons.
The second meeting will be at the Mosquito Lake School, May 17, from 6-8 p.m.
The draft Comprehensive plan can be downloaded by going here. (Warning: 292 pages)
AMHS Press Release
JUNEAU–The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) announced today that the M/V Matanuska continues to sail its scheduled service after the May 7 allision with the Ocean Beauty Seafoods dock in Petersburg, Alaska.
“We are particularly thankful that there were no injuries resulting from the accident,” said Michael Neussl, Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Deputy Commissioner for Marine Operations. Read more->
by Kyle Hopkins | ADN
ANCHORAGE–Assembly Chairman Ernie Hall says he’s tapped former Superior Court Judge Daniel Hensley to conduct the review, which has been requested by the ACLU of Anchorage, the city clerk who oversees elections and scores of angry voters.
A recent Election Commission review found that ballots ran dry at 65 of 121 precincts on Election Day.
Food for thought: A provocative new video from the folks over at Americans for Limited Government promoting a new project focused on economic liberty and free market policies. Watch:
By Mark Thiessen | AP
PETERSBURG — One of Alaska’s largest state ferries hit a seafood processing plant’s dock head-on Monday, causing significant damage, officials said.
The 408-foot Matanuska ferry hit the dock belonging to Ocean Beauty, said Jeremy Woodrow, a spokesman for the Alaska Department of Transportation.
by Thomas Sowell | TOWNHALL
The “Occupy” movement, which the Obama administration and much of the media have embraced, has implications that reach far beyond the passing sensation it has created.
The unwillingness of authorities to put a stop to their organized disruptions of other people’s lives, their trespassing, vandalism and violence is a de facto suspension, if not repeal, of the 14th Amendment’s requirement that the government provide “equal protection of the laws” to all its citizens.
by Becky Bohrer | ADN
JUNEAU — A U.S. Postal Service spokesman says a moratorium on closing postal facilities is still scheduled to end May 15, despite calls from senators to extend it.
by Andrew Halcro
JUNEAU–As the Alaska State Legislature begins a special session today on oil tax reform, things are a little chilly in the Capitol. Between the House, the Governor and the Senate, there are more ill feelings than in all of Bartlett Memorial.
The biggest sticking point of the two year battle over oil tax reform has been the debate over the legacy fields on the North Slope. While the Governor and the House want to include these fields in tax reform, the Senate has balked thus creating a show down.
From Rep. Bill Thomas:
HAINES–The Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation will be hosting a public workshop on April 17, 2012 at the American Bald Eagle Foundation in Haines from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. The purpose of the workshop is to gather public input on Chilkoot River corridor management recommendations and improvements planned for the area. There will be representatives from various agencies available at the workshop to answer questions and discuss corridor concerns.
By Lisa Demer | Anchorage Daily News
As an internal city review of what went wrong in Tuesday’s Anchorage election moves forward, the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska is calling for a special counsel to investigate the matter.
So far, 59 of 121 voting precincts have been reviewed by the city clerk’s office and just over half, 31, ran out of the preprinted ballot cards at some point, according to the clerk’s office.
A vote for mayor and a hotly contested, emotional gay rights measure were among the issues on the ballot.
Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2012/04/05/2409681/aclu-calls-for-special-counsel.html#storylink=cpy
ALASKA DISPATCH
The Mackenzie Valley Pipeline, an energy megaproject in Canada’s North that has been proposed and debated for decades, is on hold again.
The 743-mile line would have transported natural gas from the Beaufort Sea to North American markets. Low natural gas prices forced the halt of the $16.2 billion project.
ConocoPhillips said Thursday that the five partners in the energy-development consortium have suspended funding for the project, which would have transported up to 1.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day.
By Jill Burke | ALASKA DISPATCH
Alaska’s heavy snow pack, coupled with cooler-than-average temperatures, is a recipe for flooding this year. Hydrologists with the National Weather Service delivered the news during a roundtable discussion on the issue Thursday morning in Anchorage with U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.
“This winter has been very much a see-saw. November was cold, December was warm. January was cold, February was warm. March was cold, and now the question is: ‘What’s April going to be?’,” said Scott Lindsey, a hydrologist with the weather service’s river watch program in Anchorage.
“You always get a special kick on opening day, no matter how many you go through. You look forward to it like a birthday party when you’re a kid. You think something wonderful is going to happen – JOE DIMAGGIO
by Gary Lidholm
After a very long Denver winter with an overdose of “Tebow and Peyton Manning Mania” and radio talk shows about the Broncos, Nuggets, and Avalanche, a few of us breath deeply and say, “Thank goodness baseball season has finally arrived.” It’s opening week for major league baseball at last. Read more->
by Dermot Cole | FAIRBANKS DAILY NEWS-MINER
FAIRBANKS — The Wall Street Journal put a overoptimistic spin on the Point Thomson announcement Friday by Gov. Sean Parnell and the letter from three oil companies, claiming it “clears the way” for a natural gas pipeline.
However, the letter about natural gas signed by the chief executives of ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips and BP makes no commitments.
Press Release
ANCHORAGE–The Alaska Redistricting Board today adopted, by unanimous vote, a new plan for the redrawing of Alaska’s state legislative districts.
“We believe that the new plan deviates from the requirements of the Alaska Constitution to the least degree reasonable necessary to ensure compliance with the Federal Voting Rights Act,” said Board Chairman John Torgerson.
A preliminary statewide map is available for download here*. Additional maps and data will be added to www.akredistricting.org and distributed via email on Monday, April 2nd.
The Board intends to meet via teleconference next week to formally adopt a new Proclamation of Redistricting and accompanying report along with findings as mandated by the Court.
*All district boundaries are subject to technical changes pending staff and legal review prior to the formal adoption of a new Proclamation of Redistricting.
###
Editor’s note: None of the Southeast Alaska districts were affected by this action.
PRESS RELEASE
ANCHORAGE–ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, BP and TransCanada, through its participation in the Alaska Pipeline Project, announced today that they are working together on the next generation of resource development in Alaska.
The four companies have agreed on a work plan aimed at commercializing North Slope natural gas resources within an Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) framework. Because of a rapidly evolving global market, large-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from south-central Alaska will be assessed as an alternative to a natural gas pipeline through Alberta. Read more->
By Corey Allen-Young | KTVA.com
Qualifying individuals who haven’t applied yet for their slice of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend are in danger of missing out.
The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, and the PFD office is closed on the weekends.
That makes Friday do-or-die time if you want to file in person.
HAINES–Mark Earnest announced his resignation from the position of borough manager effective June 1, 2012. In an email addressed to Mayor Scott and members of the Assembly yesterday, Earnest wrote, “I need to spend more time with my family, particularly with Matthew in this formative and transitional year ahead.”
Earnest sees a lot of “very positive opportunities on the horizon for Haines,” and offered his best wishes. In his resignation letter he thanked the Mayor and Assembly for the opportunity to serve, and offered to do all he could to assist with the transition.
The Haines Borough Assembly meets at 6:30 this evening (March 27, 2012) in the assembly chambers.
Public Information Release
JUNEAU–MV LeConte will not sail round-trip from Juneau to Haines on Tuesday, March 27th due to a mechanical issue. Technicians are on-board working on a resolution to the problem, AMHS staff will contact affected passengers. For more information, please contact your local ferry terminal or the Central Reservations office by dialing 1-800-642-0066.
This information has recently been updated, and is now available at FerryAlaska.com.
by Jeff Richardson | FAIRBANKS DAILY NEWS MINER
FAIRBANKS—A new survey on Alaska tourism has some in the industry worried. The survey shows that the once-common sight of RVs driving Alaska’s roads and highway is becoming more of a rarity. Read more->
HAINES: On 3/19/2012, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C., issued a preliminary permit to Goat Lake Hydro (AP&T) to complete a feasibility study of their proposed Connelly Lake Hydro project. Additionally, the permit gives Goat Lake Hydro a priority over other companies to develop this particular resource.
The permit is not a license to construct a hydro project, but a preliminary step in the process that allows in-depth studies and planning to proceed, and a significant step toward adequate hydropower for northern Lynn Canal.
JUNEAU–The proposed Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) schedule for the fall, winter, and spring 2012-13 seasons has been placed on the AMHS website for public review. These documents can be accessed through a link on the homepage at FerryAlaska.com or directly through the following address:
The Haines Alaska News is a public information service of the Alaska Alliance for Commerce, Inc., a grassroots movement organized to advocate for small business and a free market economy in Alaska.
The AAFC is organized under section 501(C)(4) of the U.S. Tax Code; contributions are not tax deductible.
Help us keep you informed.
See complete publisher info at the bottom left sidebar.
by Andrew Halcro
“You always get a special kick on opening day, no matter how many you go through. You look forward to it like a birthday party when you’re a kid. You think something wonderful is going to happen – JOE DIMAGGIO
-- 
Recent Comments