As I do every morning, I’m outside drinking my coffee in the quiet that surrounds my home when I realize that my life will be forever changed because the planning commission decided what’s best for me, leaving me to wonder if democracy even exists in the Haines Borough anymore.

The planning commission showed us democracy at its worst when they ignored public comment and decided to approve the permit, saying it was in the best interest of the borough (but not the people).

Five heliports already exist along the Haines Highway – from the airport to 35 Mile. We don’t need another heliport in the middle of a residential area. I have the right to live out here without the noise pollution of a commercial heliport located less than a mile from my home. This permit application has already been a disruption to my family and our neighborhood and will only get worse.

My husband Larry and I have been residents of the Haines Borough for 34 years. We had three older children attend school here and currently have five children attending school. We own property, shop locally, pay taxes, have a small business, vote and are good people who love our home.

We need to change “appointing” members to the planning commission and have the seats filled by an election so we have board members who will listen to public opinion and vote accordingly. Maybe if we had elected representatives the outcome for this CUP would have turned out different.

Jeanne Beck