Some people in Haines are ask me why I’m running for the Legislature when there is still so much to be done on the Haines Borough Assembly.
Believe me, I’d rather keep my focus on Haines. The problem is that some of the biggest issues we deal with in Haines — and on the Haines Assembly — are responding to cuts to our town by the State of Alaska.
The loss of our state trooper (blue shirt) led the borough administration to propose expanding our downtown police department to the border, a proposal that could cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time when borough expenses already are outpacing revenues.
The loss of weekend snowplowing damaged our retail sector, to say nothing about adding danger and slowing our ability to get things done during winter months.
The loss of our public health nurse office made it more difficult for young families — the demographic we strive most to nurture and encourage — to make homes here.
The loss of Lynn Canal Counseling (our locally supported nonprofit was closed and was replaced by a SEARHC-run operation) eliminated an avenue for people in our community to get help with personal problems.
Cuts to our ferry service have adding difficulty to traveling to and from Haines and have hurt businesses in our town.
Cuts have cost us school programs and teachers, accompanied — perhaps not coincidentally — with lower test scores.
The State of Alaska historically provided much of the resources for rural communities because our communities have small populations and small tax bases. For example, providing police protection 40 miles out the highway might be feasible if Haines’ population was 15,000. It’s not. It’s less than one-sixth of that number.
That’s the math that obligates the State of Alaska — with a population of just 600,000 and $60 billion in the bank — to help look after its residents.
That’s the math that, if not reversed, will slowly bankrupt our small towns, as the state asks municipalities to assume responsibility not only for services previously provided by the state, but also for major infrastructure, just as it strong-armed our community to take over its Small Boat Harbor and Klehini River bridge.
The Alaska Legislature, by its actions and inaction, has been derelict in its responsibility to our most important programs, services and facilities. Those costs, if assumed by the Haines Borough, in time will eliminate funding for the amenities that make this town a great place to live, such as our public library, swimming pool, museum and arts center.
In a nutshell, that’s why I’m seeking a seat in the Alaska Legislature, and — if elected — reluctantly giving up my seat on the Haines Borough Assembly.