Haines Borough Assembly Candidate Richard Clement Seeks Re-election Amidst Disinformation Concerns
Haines, Alaska – Richard Clement, who recently completed a one-year term on the Haines Borough Assembly, is seeking re-election for a full three-year term. Clement’s initial year on the assembly coincided with significant administrative turnover, including a new borough manager, clerk, planner, and police chief. He believes this restructuring has laid a solid foundation, creating positive momentum for tackling pressing community issues. Clement’s campaign centers on maintaining this progress and focusing on borough land sales, infrastructure maintenance, and addressing the critical need for more housing in Haines. He sees this upcoming term as the time to “get to work and get things done,” capitalizing on the stability achieved during the previous year’s transition.
However, Clement’s optimism is tempered by what he identifies as a significant challenge facing the community: the spread of local disinformation. This issue, which he terms the “single biggest issue” motivating his political involvement, goes beyond simple differences in perspective. Clement alleges the intentional and knowing dissemination of false information regarding borough matters, particularly concerning the Lutak Dock reconstruction and other key projects. He points to a specific group within the community whom he characterizes as “isolationists” resistant to the borough’s prosperity and advocating for a smaller, more disconnected Haines.
This alleged misinformation campaign, according to Clement, stems from selfish motives. He cites discussions surrounding the Lutak Dock design and Porcupine Road repairs, where unfounded claims linked these projects to facilitating mining operations. Clement acknowledges the difficulty in addressing this issue, noting the resistance he’s encountered when attempting to engage with those propagating these rumors. He emphasizes the importance of relying on verified facts in decision-making processes, expressing frustration that some residents remain entrenched in their beliefs despite evidence to the contrary. While recognizing the persistent presence of dissenting voices, he underscores the need for factual information to guide the borough’s future.
Clement’s vision for Haines’ economic future contrasts sharply with what he perceives as the isolationist perspective. He envisions Haines as a vital transportation and logistics hub, leveraging its unique position as one of three Southeast Alaskan towns accessible by road. He points to existing commerce, such as fuel shipments to Whitehorse, as evidence of the borough’s potential. However, Clement stresses that this role does not entail large-scale industrial development. He explicitly rejects a return to the heavy logging industry of the past, instead advocating for maintaining Haines’ current economic profile, focused on its connectivity to the interior. This vision, he clarifies, does not include major new borough infrastructure projects beyond essential rebuilds like the Lutak Dock.
Regarding the contentious issue of mining, Clement maintains it falls outside the assembly’s purview. He recognizes that decisions related to mining on state and federal lands are beyond the borough’s control and emphasizes the need to adapt to these external forces. Despite the frustrations he’s encountered, Clement presents himself as a committed listener and responsive representative. He asserts that his votes reflect the community’s input, not solely his own beliefs. He recounts his evolving perspective on the Mosquito Lake School, initially viewing it as a financial burden but ultimately recognizing the community’s investment and potential for alternative solutions beyond outright sale.
Clement’s campaign emphasizes his willingness to adapt and respond to community feedback. He highlights his practice of reviewing assembly meetings and actively listening to public comments to inform his decisions. He underscores the borough’s flexibility and responsiveness, emphasizing a willingness to adjust course based on community input. Clement’s re-election bid rests on his commitment to building upon the foundation laid during his initial term, addressing the challenge of misinformation, and promoting a vision of Haines as a connected, yet measuredly developed, community. He believes his experience, coupled with his commitment to listening and responding to resident concerns, positions him to effectively guide the borough forward.