Resolving Constantine Mine:
Hold a boroughwide advisory vote on whether residents support the development of an industrial mine at the Palmer deposit. Let the results determine whether our borough government resists or accommodates this development, including on issues like improving Porcupine Road and in providing the borough’s public comment on regulatory matters. In either case, pass a minerals severance tax to cover the local costs of any large, industrial mine here.
Promoting Economic Development:
Encourage and fund policies to keep residents in town year-round and keep them shopping at local stores and businesses. Revive a Sales Tax Forgiveness day (in January). Create incentives for small manufacturing. Boost Chamber of Commerce efforts promoting local shopping. Promote winter attractions, including Bald Eagle Festival and Winterfest. Keep school gymnasiums/swimming pool open to youngsters and adults during holiday season.
Fixing Planning and Zoning Enforcement
Eliminate laws that are not enforced and enforce laws that are on the books. Change borough policy to allow anonymous reporting of planning and zoning violations. Adopt stiff penalties to discourage work that pre-empts borough review and approval. Designate an enforcement officer.
Addressing Lutak Dock/Major Infrastructure
Pass an ordinance requiring a boroughwide vote of approval for capital projects in excess of $10 million, to be held following approval of final design. This system already is required for taxpayer bonded projects and it works: The Haines School was built in 2007 at exactly the size and scale necessary. Overbuilt projects drag on for years, incur unnecessary construction and maintenance costs and limit funds available for other worthy public projects.
Fighting for Schools/Ferries/Parks
Shockingly, the State of Alaska has abandoned major responsibilities to its citizens, including to our schools, ferry system and parks. As a community with nearby access to the state capital, Haines has an obligation to lead the fight for Alaska to honor its commitments to basic services. We need to be loud, firm and outspoken.
Ending Adoption of State/Federal Obligations
End the historic Haines Borough practice of assuming obligations held by the State of Alaska or U.S. government. Taking on the Porcupine Crossing bridge and the U.S. Forest Service cannery bridge at Excursion Inlet were “gifts” that will cost our local government for decades.
Partnering with Tribal Governments
During my decades as a reporter and publisher, I cultivated strong friendships with the Chilkoot and Chilkat people. As mayor, I’ll work to arrange meetings between the borough and our two tribal governments annually or even more regularly. As evidenced by tribal ownership of our town’s health clinic, tribes have capacity and resources that can go a long way to improving Haines for all of us. For starters, the Chilkoot tribe could own or manage our state parks!
Promoting Recreation and Healthy Lifestyles
Winter is our dominant season, a time of year when our social problems escalate. The Haines Borough should fund a year-round, physical recreation program to provide opportunities and programs so all families to participate in healthy activities throughout the year. Benefits of such a program would easily exceed costs.
Controlling Borough Land Assessment
Skyrocketing land valuations by out-of-town assessors occur too often, resulting in hundreds of appeals to the Board of Equalization and bogging down our government. Increased assessments need to be fair and to be implemented gradually so as not to burden property owners already struggling to make ends meet. Borough land only should be assessed by a borough resident.
Developing Affordable Housing
Lack of housing for young people is an Alaska-wide issue but should be fixable here with a coordinated, committed borough plan. Haines has the biggest private land base in Southeast Alaska, a huge advantage over other towns. Using the borough permanent fund, purchase land close to town. Establish an affordable housing agency qualified to apply for federal housing grants. Build housing targeting moderate incomes. Put restrictions on resale, making properties less attractive to speculators.
Supporting Our Town’s Nonprofits
Most municipalities fund nonprofits for the simple reason that these groups provide community services at a fraction of the government’s cost. Our fire department is a nonprofit. So is Haines Senior Citizens, the group that provides senior lunches. When possible, we should shift more government functions to nonprofits. Non-profit contributions should amount to at least 1 percent of the borough budget. For a $12 million budget, that’s $120,000, about the historic level of funding.
Fostering Civil Discussion and Town Spirit
To succeed as a community, we need to generate goodwill between our local government and citizens. Because of a divisive civic history, this will take time but our government has to take the initiative by being open with public information and being candid about its goals and its workings. To advance, we’ll need more difficult public discussions. Establishing a civil – and even friendly – tone for those discussions is the responsibility of the borough.
PLEASE VOTE FOR TOM MORPHET FOR MAYOR ON OCT. 3