By Editor, on May 15th, 2012 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.
Read the full story in the Anchorage Daily News.
By Editor, on May 9th, 2012 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.
Read the full story in the Anchorage Daily News.
By Editor, on May 8th, 2012 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.
Read Thomas Sowell’s full opinion at Townhall.com.
By Editor, on May 7th, 2012 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.
Read the full article in the Anchorage Daily News.
Editor’s note: The comments following this article in the ADN contain informative arguments on both sides.
By Editor, on April 18th, 2012  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.
Read Andrew Halcro’s full opinion piece at andrewhalcro.com.
By Editor, on April 16th, 2012 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.
To learn more about the project, visit:
http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/plans/chilkootlk/chilkootriver.htm
By Editor, on April 6th, 2012 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
By Editor, on April 1st, 2012 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.
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Editor’s note: None of the Southeast Alaska districts were affected by this action.
By Editor, on March 31st, 2012 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 Roger Maynard, on March 27th, 2012 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.
By Editor, on February 20th, 2012 From KINY News:
Alaska U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski will tour a host of Southeast Alaska communities over the President’s Day recess.
According to a press release from Murkowski’s office, the Senator will kick off her Southeast swing Tuesday in Skagway for a roundtable discussion there.
From Skagway, Murkowski will travel to Haines on Wednesday for another roundtable discussion at the Bald Eagle Museum before heading to Yakutat where she will meet with state and local officials at the ANB Hall there.
Senator Murkowski will visit Juneau on Thursday for her annual address to the Alaska State Legislature before leaving for Ketchikan for a press conference on Friday.
By Roger Maynard, on February 15th, 2012 By SEN. CATHY GIESSEL
The Alaska Legislature is currently considering a bill that would join Alaska in an interstate compact changing the way the United States president is elected. I have serious concerns about its true, negative, effects. The bill’s supporters promote the change as a way to ensure that “the person with the most votes wins.” I have participated in two hearings on Senate Bill 39 in the Senate State Affairs committee, and have researched the issue extensively. Again, I have serious concerns about the negative effects of this legislation on Alaska.
Read the full opinion piece in the Juneau Empire.
By Roger Maynard, on February 10th, 2012 Press Release
WASHINGTON D.C.–Following a meeting with U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation released a set of unified statements.
The meeting was requested by the Alaska Congressional Delegation to question as well as hear the reasoning behind the Air Force’s recently announced plan to relocate the 18th Aggressor F-16 Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Read more->
By Editor, on February 9th, 2012 Warren Meyer | FORBES
Likely you have heard the sound bite that “97% of climate scientists” accept the global warming “consensus”. Which is what gives global warming advocates the confidence to call climate skeptics “deniers,” hoping to evoke a parallel with “Holocaust Deniers,” a case where most of us would agree that a small group are denying a well-accepted reality. So why do these “deniers” stand athwart of the 97%? Is it just politics? Oil money? Perversity? Ignorance?
We are going to cover a lot of ground, but let me start with a hint…
Read the full article at www.forbes.com.
More–VIDEO: Catastrophe Denied–The Science of the Skeptics Position.
By Editor, on February 9th, 2012 WASHINGTON, FEB. 8, 2012—The average American relying on federal government assistance receives more in benefits than the average American’s disposable personal income, according to The Heritage Foundation’s newly released 2012 Index of Dependence on Government.
The Index reports Americans who rely on government receive an average $32,748 worth of benefits, surpassing the average American’s disposable personal income of $32,446.
Overall, the Index—which scores the nation’s dependency across numerous federal assistance programs that were once done through communities, churches, neighborhood groups and the private sector—rose 8.1 percent in 2010 from the most recent data available.
Read more at the Heritage Foundation.
By Editor, on February 9th, 2012 by Cliff Groh
ANCHORAGE–U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan ordered today the release on March 15 of the special counsel report into misconduct by federal prosecutors in the trial of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens (R.-Alaska).
Read more in Cliff Groh’s Alaska Political Corruption blog.
By Editor, on February 6th, 2012 By Becky Bohrer  | AP
JUNEAU — The Alaska Redistricting Board must redraw three Fairbanks-area House districts and another in the Aleutian chain, a state court judge ruled Friday.
Read full article in the Juneau Empire.
By Editor, on February 5th, 2012 Public Information Release
HAINES–Emergency repair work to the sewer main running through the center of the slump area was completed around 3:45 pm Friday afternoon. Residence of the Highland Estates & Skyline Drive area can resume normal usage. Thank you for your patience. Read more->
By Editor, on February 5th, 2012 by Dermot Cole | FAIRBANKS DAILY NEWS-MINER
FAIRBANKS — In a wide-ranging decision that touches on such far-ranging subjects as the Peloponnesian War and Balto’s role in the serum run to Nome, Superior Court Judge Michael McConahy has set the stage for what could be a major reshuffling of proposed election districts in Alaska.
Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
By Roger Maynard, on February 4th, 2012 By Brad Heath | USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The federal government has spent nearly $1.8 million defending prosecutors from allegations they broke the law in the botched corruption case against former Alaska senator Ted Stevens, Justice Department records show.
Read full article in USA Today.
By Roger Maynard, on February 4th, 2012 By Andrew Halcro
One of the bedrock arguments proffered by critics who oppose reforming oil taxes is that compared to other oil producing regions, Alaska is right in the middle. This is false.
Read full opinion at andyhalcro.com.
By Editor, on February 4th, 2012 Public Information Release
HAINES–A Resolution to declare a disaster and requesting state assistance was adopted in a special meeting of the Haines Borough Assembly today at 1:15 pm. The situation was elevated to this point when the main sewer line from 125 homes on the hillside of Highland Estates and Skyline Drive was broken by the slide activity.
Crews from Southeast Road Builders Inc. and the Borough Water & Sewer Department started emergency repairs to this line before light this morning. Work is ongoing as of this report (3:00pm Friday afternoon) PSA’s asking residence above this area to restrict their use of water going into the sewer until crews finish emergency repairs today. [Borough officials] will place an announcement on KHNS when the work is completed and normal usage can resume. Crews will continue working until repairs are finished today. Thank you for your patience.
No update is scheduled for the week‐end unless there are major changes to report.
Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
DAILY Update Recording – 766‐22567
Click here to view all official updates on the Haines Borough Website.
By Editor, on February 3rd, 2012 PUBLIC NOTICE
HAINES BOROUGH ASSEMBLY SPECIAL MEETING NOTIFICATION
Location: Borough Assembly Chambers, February 3, 2012 at 1:15 pm
PURPOSE: Consider Resolution 12-02-330 Declaring a disaster and requesting state assistance.
According to the agenda, “The slump in the Oceanview Drive/Lutak Road area continues to move and has breached the sewer line. It is anticipated that the area will continue to move and destroy public facilities. The manager has deemed it necessary to declare a disaster and request state assistance at this time.”
The Haines Alaska News will post more information as it becomes available; readers can also check the Haines Borough Website for updates.
By Editor, on February 3rd, 2012 Public Information Release
HAINES–6 PM Revision–Melting snow revealed an old manhole, not showing on any as builts, or known by local maintenance officials, during dye testing of the sewer line running through the middle of the slide area late this afternoon. This manhole is being compromised by the ground shifting close to a crack near the top of the slide area. Plans are being put together this evening to remove that manhole and to re‐connect the sewer line. This damage appears to be from earlier shifting in this location but has been buried under the snow, keeping it from detection.
Activity in the active area of the slope movement appeared to calmed down today with very little new visual movement detected.
The command center has been receiving very detailed information from several State and Federal offices in an effort to help in our planning efforts. Some of it is so detailed that we have to filter through the information to determine what is relevant to our event. If you have questions about any information you may be hearing rumors about, please contact the command center at 766‐2258.
Warmer weather will still be with us for a few more days, which is helping melt the snow, but also brings added concern to the area that is already over saturated.
Next scheduled update will be 3 PM Friday afternoon.
Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
DAILY Update Recording – 766‐22567
Click here to view all official updates on the Haines Borough Website.
By Editor, on January 28th, 2012  Former CIA Tribal Administrator Jim Carnahan Press Release:
HAINES–Jim Carnahan, former Tribal Administrator for the Chilkoot Indian Association, announced today that he has settled his lawsuit against CIA. CIA terminated Carnahan in October 2010 and violated his employment contract in doing so, according to documents filed in December 2010.
Carnahan said he is pleased this has finally come to an end and he has been absolved of all wrong doing. CIA made the following statement in the settlement agreement, “CIA is pleased that we could work out a settlement of our employment dispute. We withdraw our allegations of wrongdoing on your part. As we are sure you will agree, CIA regrets that this matter was not handled and resolved in a different manner.”
Carnahan finished by saying, “CIA has tremendous potential to help its members and the people of Haines. I wish them the very best as they try to move forward.”
Carnahan is represented by Michael Lessmeier from Juneau. “Mike is an incredible attorney and worked hard to resolve this claim,” said Carnahan. “He went above and beyond the call of duty.”
Contact Jim Carnahan at 35th@msn.com for more information.
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| Nate Beeler
The Columbus Dispatch
May 16, 2012
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Lynn Canal Map & Marine Traffic (refresh for current ship positions)
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P.O. Box 784
Haines, Alaska 99827
Editor:
Roger L. Maynard
P.O. Box 784
Haines, Alaska 99827
editor@hainesnews.net
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. |
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