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Anchorage Daily News Headlines
NOTE: This summary of the Assembly meeting is meant to provide timely information to our readers, and does not constitute the actual minutes of the meeting. Actual meeting minutes may be found after they are approved, at the Haines Borough website.
Commissioners present included Hedden, Maynard, Goldberg, Heinmiller, and Turner. Read more »
Deicing after a snow shower
Guest Opinion by Al Kelly
A little over a week ago my wife and I joined some friends at the Lighthouse Restaurant to celebrate their anniversary. The restaurant was unusually crowded and there were several groups’ at large tables. We later learned that they were heliskiers (spending money). Later in the week we went to a local liquor store to buy a bottle of wine for an upcoming event. The wine shelves were obviously picked over. Upon asking the clerk what had happened, his answer was “the heliskiers are in town”. The local heliski industry, in the form of lodging, eating etc., is obviously bringing a much needed shot in the arm to our struggling Haines economy.
Alaska DPS Press Release
Kyle Dungan, 28, of Skagway was found and retrieved from Meade Glacier by an Air National Guard Helicopter at approximately 3:30 p.m. on March 10. ANG and U.S. Coast Guard were able to send out two helicopters during a break in the weather to search for Dungan, who was found in the same location he was last seen March 8. Read more »
Tuesday’s Haines Borough Assembly meeting was well attended with several contentious issues on the Agenda: property taxes, heli-skiers and a business license for Dave Button.
Kensington Mine photo
Jan Trigg, manager of community relations and governmental affairs for Coeur Alaska spoke to the Haines Borough Assembly committee of the whole and members of the public Tuesday evening with an update on the status of the Kensington Mine, and how Haines might fit into the company’s plan.
After years of delay including the filing of 3 separate environmental impact statements and another 3-year delay for litigation, the mine is working “full speed ahead” to begin operation during the 3rd quarter of this year.
According to an article in yesterday’s Juneau Empire, President Obama plans to boost the effort to develop Alaska’s natural gas resources by elevating the Alaska gas line coordinator’s office effort into the executive office of the president, once nominee Larry Persily is in place and is official.
Takshanuk Watershed Council recently purchased two large lots in Haines. They are now requesting tax-exempt status based on their plan to use the property as an outdoor education facility for their “Eco Studies” classes, and as an ongoing study site for Haines School Students. The total tax levied on the two parcels in 2009 was $883.
TWC does not meet the criteria for this exemption, and it is against the community’s interest for a number of reasons: Read more »
As wind power proponents consider wind power for Haines, we need to weigh all of the evidence.
Here is some food for thought from Michael J. Trebilcock, Professor of Law and Economics, University of Toronto. These comments were excerpted from a submission to the Ontario government’s legislative committee On Bill 150. Read more at the Alaska Standard.
Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline
Construction of the Alaska Gas Pipeline could begin as early as 4 to 5 years from now. In a presentation to the Haines Borough Assembly and the public, Denali–The Alaska Gas Pipeline company representatives J.D. Adkins and Jan Singyke said Haines will have an important part in the process as a seaport, from which 80 foot sections of pipe and other materials will be trucked to the construction site. Pipeline construction will take about three years.
How do we thank a community for the strength that it gave when we were going through a life altering test.
How do we make you understand that we drew on your prayers and positive thoughts,your phone calls, and the just knowing you all were here in Haines “holding the fort” down. We have been humbled by the out pouring of love and prayers from all of you.
We have come through a test that I truly would never wish on my worst enemy if I had one. Pete does have cancer, we will be getting chemo in Juneau every two weeks, we still have our sense of humor, and most important we have our faith in God and we have love and gratitude for our family and friends.
by Gary Lidholm
Can heat from the ground several hundred feet below the surface help heat your home or public buildings in Haines? It is a possibility and is being done large scale in Juneau for several public buildings and on a small scale even locally in Haines.
Several interested members of the public dropped in on a subcommittee meeting of the Energy and Sustainability Commission Tuesday afternoon in the Borough Administration building to learn about geo-thermal. Read more »
by Carol Kelly
Should the school district spend over $250,000 on a new heating system for Mosquito Lake School? That was one issue that faced the Haines Borough School Board at last night’s meeting. The figure derives from an estimate of the cost to implement an engineer’s plan. The board expressed concern over the high cost and directed the superintendent to work with two board members and the Borough Director of Facilities to develop a Request for Proposal so that other options can be explored.
On February 25, District 5 Republicans convened their biennial convention on Thursday, February 25, 2010. Party members were present in Cordova, and via teleconference from Haines and from Skagway. District Vice-chair, David Roemhildt facilitated the meeting.
By Gary Lidholm
There is much talk in the Haines community about the adverse impacts on the world-class fishery and wildlife resources of the Chilkoot River if Connelly Lake Hydro were to be built. Certainly these resources deserve first-rate protection. But how much would a hydro at Connelly really adversely affect the environment? Or perhaps, as some have suggested, could the hydro even enhance the resources?
The Haines Borough Assembly met on 2/23/2010 in the Assembly Chambers; present were assembly members Hoffman, Vick, Rossman, Lapp, Waterman, and Mayor Jan Hill. Borough Manager Mark Earnest and Borough Clerk Julie Cozzi were also in attendance. Assemblyman Smith was excused.
Washington, D.C.-The Minority Staff of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works released a report today titled, “‘Consensus’ Exposed: The CRU Controversy.”
Press release
The Republican District 5 Convention will be held via teleconference 6pm, Thursday February 25th at the Captains Choice Motel Lounge. There is a $25 charge per person. That money will stay in Haines to defer costs of the State Republican convention in April.
Do join us, let’s be sure Haines has a voice. Please let us know if you will attend. Do pass the word to your Republican friends. For more information, call Bill Kurz 766-2324
SEAHRC Press Release
SITKA, Feb. 19, 2010 — The SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) Emergency Medical Services department is offering a Wilderness First Responder course that involves some preliminary online computer work before class sessions begin. The in-person class sessions are April 5-9 at the Southeast Regional Emergency Medical Services Council classroom in Sitka Read more »
SEARHC Press Release
2010 Ethel Lund Village Health Occupations Program (VHOP)
SITKA, Feb. 19, 2010 — Few people get to see real emergency room doctors in action, be with operating room staff during surgery or even watch a dentist performing a root canal. Alaska Native high school students from Southeast Alaska can experience these and other opportunities when they participate in the Ethel Lund Village Health Occupations Program (VHOP). Read more »
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