The Haines borough assembly voted to offer the clerk’s position to Kristine Kennedy. She recently moved to Haines. Her professional background is as an accountant. Kennedy did not attend the special meeting where the vote took place, and was not immediately available for comments. Kennedy was offered a three year contract, the starting date of which is Monday.
Assembly member Gabe Thomas objected to the hire, citing Kennedy’s absence at meetings since her interview.
Later in the meeting the assembly voted to offer an interim manager position to Elke Doom, of Michigan.
Doom said two weeks would be the earliest she could start in Haines. She cited her extensive experience as a city manager and said she would be ready to hit the ground running.
Doom: “I’ve done quite a bit of deep dive into your budget, into the community itself, reading as much as I can about you so that I would have a better understanding to step right in and be able to pick the reins and keep the community going.”
Doom said another community had offered her a position on which she remained undecided. She also stressed that she is not interested in a permanent position. The assembly voted to offer her the interim position at a salary of $160K per year, plus housing and the use of a vehicle.
Assembly members decided to meet next tuesday to consider other applicants in case Doom turns down the borough’s offer.
