Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

I appreciate constructive criticism, it’s instructive and helpful in future decisions. A recent letter writer to the CVN made a number of overly broad statements that I’d like to address here. I’ve reviewed two heliport permits and forwarded them to the Planning Commission for its action. There have been issues with two large event venues, I don’t think that qualifies as “working tirelessly” to “despoil neighborhoods.” There is a backlog of maintenance in Haines. It is in the community’s interest that we maximize all funding sources and consolidate repairs where we can. We can disagree about priority of projects, but project progress also depends on availability of contractors and funding. Due to timelines associated with the work, our first focus has to be the FEMA repairs resulting from the 2020 storm and the refurbishing of the Lutak Dock. The Lutak Dock is being rebuilt to its current size, which is smaller than the dock was when it was originally constructed. Although there are claims that the RORO facility can meet the community’s needs, that is not so. That doesn’t take into account the fuel transport lines, nor the need for barges to tie up to the Lutak Dock even if they are off-loading on the RORO. Public records requests have repeatedly shown that we are tackling this project to protect the region’s transportation system, not for ore transport. Mayor Olerud and I met with the Department of Natural Resources Commissioner virtually this week to discuss DNR assets in Haines.

Annette Kreitzer