Former Haines mayor Jan Hill has been appointed to the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. KHNS’ Corinne Smith reports.
Jan Hill will serve a three year term on the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, which began last month and will run through March 1st 2024.
“If you know me really well, you know that I’m not going to sit around and be still for very long,” Hill said. “I needed something to do, and this Board was suggested to me since I have experience with it, and it’s meaningful work.”
Hill will serve as part of the five member board, established as a regulatory agency that controls the manufacturing, bartering, possession and sale of alcohol in Alaska. They’ll be charged with reviewing liquor licenses and permits for businesses, and analyzing public health outcomes.
Hill served as a tribal health representative during the ABC Boards review and reform of the Title 4 statute, which outlines how local communities can regulate alcohol. She says she’ll continue to bring a tribal health approach, as well as her experience in leadership in a small town.
“I think I bring a different perspective than people from bigger places, that I hope that I can share that in some of the decisions that this body makes. We need to understand the impacts to the communities, when we make these kinds of decisions. So I think that I bring a small community perspective in those decisions.”
In Haines, as well as many small-town communities across Alaska, there’s been much debate around licensing of tasting rooms at breweries and distilleries. Hill says she expects these issues will come under review again, as entrepreneurs explore new and different types of entertainment venues.
She says she welcomes community input in her new role on the board, and the next public meeting will be August 17.
“Having a representative on that board in your community is an opportunity to have some real input,” Hill said. “And I would absolutely look forward to talking with people.”
Hill served four terms as the mayor of Haines, and prior to that served on the Haines Borough Assembly, as well as the president of the Chilkoot Indian Association tribe.
Hill will be up for confirmation by the Alaska Legislature next year.