Senator Jesse Kiehl and Representative Andi Story were in Haines this week. The two legislators came to listen to the concerns of Haines residents and present awards to three long-time citizens.
The American Legion hosted a town hall featuring Senator Jesse Kiehl and Representative Andi Story Wednesday evening. The duo spoke at length about the budget passed by the Alaska Legislature during the recent special session.
Kiehl: “It’s a pretty strong budget. The vast majority of things in the state budget this year are pretty status quo. It is remarkable in that for the first time in a very long time, we don’t run a deficit. We don’t draw from our savings accounts.”
Kiehl also touted the increase in educational funding in the budget.
Kiehl: “We were able to catch up a little bit on K-12 education funding. It has been more than seven years since we made an inflation adjustment or really any meaningful adjustment, since we made an adjustment to the buying power of the school dollar, that buying power of what we spend on schools and Alaska has dropped and dropped and dropped. It is in dollar terms the largest increase in education spending in Alaskan history, in percentage terms, it’s about 14-15% in the year with roughly 8% inflation. You know, we’re not back at our high point by a longshot.”
There was also discussion about the new ferry vessels being brought online — including the Hubbard, which now makes daily trips to Haines and Skagway. The senators also talked about the proposal for a $1,300 PFD and potential new state revenue streams, such as a discussed sales tax in Alaska. Senator Kiehl voiced his opposition to a sales tax, but supported a state income tax — something that he has proposed in past years. Rep. Story said that she was open to all options to increase revenue. Story took over as representative after the redistricting of the Upper Lynn Canal two years ago. After the town hall, Story, spoke about the adjustment to her extended district.
Story: “Well, I think to me, it’s like, am I talking to people? That’s always the hardest part, you know, how do I hear from them? You know, everyone more? So I’ve been pleased with people who reach out but it’s just like, do people get my newsletter? I just know, I don’t have as big a base and I’m double checking with Rep Hannon. But I feel people have been really nice and welcoming. And I hear about the issues and know the community. It’s just hard because people care deeply and they have their certain perspective about things. And so, you know, I try and understand the perspectives. And I know, I just like to believe, even though it doesn’t always work well, when it gets right down to, we really want our community to work well for our kids and for everyone.”
In addition to the town hall, three notable Haines residents were honored with recognition awards from Kiehl and Story. Darwin Feakes, the industrial arts teacher at the Haines school, was one of the recipients. Feakes has been a teacher for 35 years, worked in the volunteer fire service for 32 years, and spent more than 20 years in the National Guard. He attributes part of his success to quality leadership.
Feakes: “We’ve had great leadership in this district all the time I’ve been here. We’ve had good principals. And for the most part, excellent superintendents, Roy and Lily are probably one of the better teams I’ve ever worked for.”
Two of the citations were awarded posthumously. One was presented in the memory of Margaret Piggot, a local author and one of the original deejays on KHNS public radio. Piggot made Haines her home in 1969, and has written two books. She wrote “Discover Southeastern Alaska with Pack and Paddle,” chronicling dozens of hikes and a near two-week paddle trip between Juneau and Angoon, in TKTK. Most recently, she published “No Place To Pee,” a memoir of her time in the mid 70s as one of the only women working on the Trans-Alaska pipeline. She passed away before the new year at the age of 90.
The final citation was in memoriam of former Haines Mayor Stephanie Scott, who died peacefully in February at the age of 75. Scott also served four terms on the Haines assembly, even during a battle with cancer, and taught special education at the Haines school for over a decade. In addition to the legislative award , Haines Mayor Douglas Olerud released an official proclamation praising Scott.
Olerud: “Therefore, we the representatives of the Haines Borough, do hereby honor Stephanie Scott’s legacy of service to the community she loved and hope her example encourages more residents to serve on the assembly and work for the Borough declaree June 17 2023 as Stephanie Scott day.”
Following their stay in Haines, Khiel and Story held a town hall and open office hours in Skagway.