HAINES–The Haines Borough Clerk has issued recall petitions for Haines Borough Assembly members Daymond Hoffman and Joanne Waterman, but rejected the application for a recall petition for Steve Vick based on advice from the Haines Borough Attorney. Read more->
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HAINES–A groundswell of dissatisfaction with the performance of the Haines Borough Assembly reached a crescendo Friday when three applications for recall against assembly members Daymond Hoffman, Steve Vick and Joanne Waterman were filed with borough clerk Julie Cozzi. Read more->
For obvious reasons, it would make sense to appoint Karen Hess to the vacant seat until the October election, however three assembly members are politically opposed to seating Hess, offering to seat nearly any other member of the public instead. Members Rossman and Lapp stood steadfastly behind Hess. When the Assembly decided they were deadlocked and there was no way forward, they “compromised” by agreeing not to fill that seat until the October election. In reality, this was no compromise at all — just an agreement to shirk their duty to Haines voters by not doing the job required by law. Read more->
The Juneau Superior Court has ordered that Assembly Seat “E” be declared vacant, and that a special election be ordered to fill the vacancy. But borough code makes compliance with the court order difficult, at best. Read more-> HAINES–The borough assembly is presently engaged in the yearly struggle with details of the borough budget. As can be expected, revenue does not allow the assembly to do everything it would like to do. In his recent CVN editorial, Tom Morphet wrote, “If recent history is any indication, balancing the Haines Borough budget this year will involve some combination of spending reserves and increasing property taxes.” Then he wrote, “Those aren’t the only options,” and proceeded to list some new ways to tax local residents – a local vehicle registration tax, reinstating the business property tax, a local alcohol tax, a tour tax and increasing fees and fines. Unfortunately, he left out two excellent options that should be at the top of the list: cut spending and encourage private sector growth. Read more->  Owner Kaitlin Podsiki works on the new foundation for the Hungry Moose. One of Haines’ most popular eateries, the Hungry Moose drive-in, has received a temporary land use permit until June 1, 2011. In order to receive a land use permit that allows for continual operation longer than 6 months, the property owner, Fred Folletti, must comply with Haines Borough code by adding a permanent foundation under the structure and obtaining a utility easement for the electrical line that crosses borough property. Once these requirements are met, the borough will amend the permit to allow year-around use. Read more->
 Haines power consumption: Hydro vs. Diesel HAINES–Monday’s joint meeting between the Haines and Skagway borough assemblies underscored a number of issues of mutual concern. Among the most important is just how tenuous is our source of reasonably-priced electrical power. Presently, Haines receives nearly 100% of its power from hydro projects in or near Skagway. The day the Haines-Skagway undersea cable fails, all of this power will have to be generated by the diesel-fired power plant in Haines. Read more->  Mayor Jan Hill (left) and Master Municipal Clerk Julie Cozzi display the MMC certification plaque that now hangs in Cozzi's office. Haines Borough Clerk Julie Cozzi has received the highest certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), “Master Municipal Clerk (MMC).” Haines Mayor Jan Hill presented the certification plaque to Ms. Cozzi in front of a packed assembly chambers last night saying, “Eight years ago Julie Cozzi came to work for Haines Borough. She has worked very hard, particularly in her professional development. Read more-> At their 6:30 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, February 22, The Haines Borough Assembly meeting will consider the proposed heli-ski ordinance, among other issues. The last Assembly meeting resulted in the proposed heli-ski ordinance being held over for a fourth hearing. According the Haines Borough web site, it will be recommended that the Assembly again hold the issue over to a fifth hearing. Meanwhile, the ski season has begun, with SEABA and others working under the old (illegal) ordinance while trying to comply with the direction of the present Heli-ski working group–not an enviable position. To read the latest version of the proposed heli-ski ordinance and other issues, go to the Haines Borough Website.
The following comments are presented as a service so our readers can stay informed on local current events, and do not constitute the minutes or official record of any meeting. Meeting minutes, agenda, and other documents are available at the Haines Borough web site.
All of the Assembly were present for what turned out to be a rather long night with a lot of public discussion. Read more-> Guest Opinions are printed as a courtesy to our readers. The opinions expressed are those of the writer, and not necessarily those of the Haines News or it’s parent company, the Alaska Alliance for Commerce, Inc. Read more-> HAINES–With the heli-skiing season rapidly approaching, the Working Group finalizing recommendations to the Borough Assembly to regulate commercial ski tours was disappointed when the planned meeting Tuesday afternoon was cancelled due to lack of proper public notification. But representatives of the Working Group did present information to an Assembly Committee of the Whole meeting that went on as scheduled Tuesday evening. Read more->
The following comments are presented as a service so our readers can stay informed on local current events, and do not constitute the minutes or official record of any meeting. Meeting minutes, agenda and other documents are available at the Haines Borough web site. The December 28th meeting of the Haines Borough Assembly was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Read more-> The Haines Borough Government Affairs & Services Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 28, 2010 in the assembly chambers to meet with Crystal Cathedral Water and Sewer System customers to discuss their concerns. HAINES–My father used to say “It is useless to get in an argument with people who buy ink by the barrel.” That did not seem to be a concern of some assembly members at the December 14th Haines Borough Assembly meeting, who decided to bring up a free-speech issue regarding the mayor’s appointments made at the last meeting in November. Read more-> HAINES–At the December 14th assembly meeting, you chose to revisit my reappointment to the Haines Planning Commission based, not on my performance for the past several months on the commission, but because you don’t like the opinions that I publish in the Haines Alaska News. You proposed removing me from the Planning Commission because you perceived a “conflict” between public service and my activities as a newspaper editor. HAINES–Revision of the Haines Borough Code Title 2 chapter 2.68 is nearly complete, and will likely be passed by the assembly at the next meeting on December 14, 2010. Read more->
The following comments are presented as a service so our readers can stay informed on local current events, and do not constitute the minutes or official record of any meeting. Meeting minutes, agenda and other documents are available at the Haines Borough web site. The November 30th meeting of the Haines Borough Assembly was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Read more->
The following comments are presented as a service so our readers can stay informed on local current events, and do not constitute the minutes or official record of any meeting. Meeting minutes, agenda and other documents are available at the Haines Borough web site.
The following comments are presented as a service so our readers can stay informed on local current events, and do not constitute the minutes or official record of any meeting. Meeting minutes, agenda and other documents are available at the Haines Borough web site.
Once again, the PC Dock was at the top of the list of contentious topics at the borough Assembly Meeting. Four assembly members voted to place the issue on the agenda for discussion. Public comments included 18 people who spoke regarding the PC Dock, with opinions being evenly divided pro and con. Read more->
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Former Crystal Cathedral Water and Sewer System (CCWSS) customers filled the Haines Borough Assembly Chambers earlier this evening as the assembly’s Government Services Committee listened to their concerns. The system was recently purchased from Vicki Floreske by the Haines Borough, which is attempting to address needed upgrades to the system and establish equitable billing rates for the service.
