In what has to be one of the shortest Borough Assembly meetings in recent times, the six-member Assembly unanimously voted Tuesday night to call Mr. Mark Ernest as the new Borough Manager. Ernest was one of the two finalists narrowed from the short list developed by the Assembly and staff.
In the Assembly’s special meeting this evening, Mayor Hill explained that there were originally 20 qualified applicants for the position that was vacated when Manager Tom Bolen’s contract was not renewed. After different stages of review the list was narrowed ultimately to Mr. Scott Hahn, former Manager at Cordova and Mark Ernest, current City Manager at Whittier. After telephone interviews with these and other candidates, Ernest and Hahn were flown to Haines for one-on-one interviews on Monday, November 30.
The Assembly meeting ran less than one-half hour when it became obvious in the discussions that individual Assembly members were all favoring Ernest. The question was called with a unanimous vote resulting.
Ernest will be offered a contract and a salary in the neighborhood of $100,000. It was pointed out that such a salary will actually be a pay cut for him but he had indicated a desire to move to Haines even at reduced pay.
Several Assembly members noted in addition to his experience and excellent references, Mr. Ernest had great enthusiasm for coming to Haines. He came to the interviews well prepared and actually had read the Haines Comprehensive plan, something most Assembly members admitted they had not completely read.
At the time of this writing we can only assume that Mr. Ernest will accept the offer and we are unsure about his reporting date. But in the interviews he indicated a willingness to get here with his family quickly and get on board at the Borough office.
The Alaska Alliance for Commerce and hainesnews.net would like to be among the first to welcome our new Borough Manager. It is exciting to have such a well qualified hand at the helm and one who is excited about moving here. Based on his background and experience we are hopeful of a real advocate for economic vitality and renewable energy focus. We will bring more information to you about Mr. Ernest when his plans are firm.
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Filed under: Haines Borough Tagged: | 1. Haines, politics
