Haines election results finalized: Stickler, Smith, Clement win, as incumbents are let go by voters

By BRENDA JOSEPHSON

Haines Borough canvassed 27 questioned and absentee ballots on Oct. 8, with final results confirming voters’ preference for more centrist leadership in the Oct. 1 municipal election.

Three seats were up for election to the Haines Borough Assembly, with the top two vote-getters receiving three-year terms and the third-place finisher earning a one-year seat.

A voter turnout of 48% yielded remarkably close results, with only three votes separating the second- and third-highest votes.

Cheryl D. Stickler, the clear winner on election night, received an additional 13 votes during the canvass, for a total of 658. Mark H. Smith maintained his narrow advantage, edging out Richard Clement for a three-year seat by a vote of 581 to 578, respectively.

Both incumbents failed to secure reelection. Debra Schnabel received 555 votes, falling 23 votes short. With 550 total votes, Natalie Dawson was 28 votes shy of retaining a seat on the assembly. Haines newcomer Nora Zimmerly received a total of 442 votes.

The public’s desire for change in this election cycle followed a turbulent year in Haines, during which the stalling of a $25 million repair of Lutak Dock, the community’s freight terminal, drew the attention of many residents. In addition, Haines citizens raised concern over the loss of $1.4 million in FEMA funding for Porcupine Road repairs. 

Members of the public also took issue with the local government’s high employee turnover in the last year, citing the loss of the borough manager, borough clerk, police chief, facilities director, and planner. 

The newly elected members will assume office at the next assembly meeting on Oct. 22.

Brenda Josephson is a Haines resident. She is co-author of the white paper Restoring Public Trust.