Hold Borough Assembly Accountable

Bill Seward formerly of the Haines Borough was wrongfully terminated by vote of the Borough Assembly after 6-months of service to the community of Haines, Alaska.  Bill is now among 14 past others who have passed through the borough manager position within the last 13 years. Afterwards, social media began flooding Facebook pages admonishing the actions of the Assembly to terminate Bill’s contract, which passed, 4-2. Tom Morphet, Maragaret Friedenauer, Ron Jackson and Tresham Gregg voted in favor; Mike Case and Heather Lende were opposed.  Media outlets have reported on this atrocity, but have omitted from their reports his positive effect on the community.  Obviously, it is tragic any time someone loses their job, but the decisions of this Assembly have created that outcome.  Bill and his family are suffering, not only financially but also emotionally, as they cope with this significant life event.  Bill is now left out of a job and struggling to support his family as he will likely be considered unemployable due to the damages to his reputation.  As we all know, bills add up and most public servants live paycheck to paycheck; especially when they have children in college.  I ask that you donate to this cause to allow Bill Seward and his family to get by while he works his way through the legal process.  Let's all show Bill Seward that there are good people in this world that supports his past, present and future noble service to our borough and nation.

The proceeds from this fund will go towards costs associated with hiring an attorney, prosecuting the case and personal living expenses caused by the job loss.

Bill’s biography reads:

Commander William E. Seward, United States Coast Guard (Retired), assumed to the duties of Borough Manager in June of 2016 after completing 28-years of distinguished military service on October 1, 2016.

A native of Kodiak, Alaska, Commander Seward graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics. He began his military career by enlisting into the Alaska Army National Guard in 1988 at the age of 17. In 1990, he attended Officer Candidate School at the Alaska Military Academy, Camp Carroll, Alaska and earned a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve.

Upon receiving his commission within the Armor Branch, Second Lieutenant Seward served as a Scout Platoon Leader for A Company, 5th Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment from 1990 to 1992. First Lieutenant Seward was then accepted into the United States Army Aviation program and earned his “wings” in 1993, and was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment located in Anchorage, Alaska where he flew the UH-60L Blackhawk and led an Aviation Platoon.

In 1999, Captain Seward resigned his Army Reserve commission and accepted a commission as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the United States Coast Guard, at which time, it is believed that he became the first Alaska Native (Tlingit Indian) designated as a Coast Guard Naval Aviator (#3434D). He was then assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, Alaska where he flew the HH-60J Jayhawk.

In 2002, Lieutenant Seward was assigned to Coast Guard Group/Air Station Astoria, Oregon. He was designated an Instructor Pilot and Flight Examiner in the HH-60J Jayhawk, and served as Administration Department Head, and subsequently as the Aviation Safety Officer. In 2005, he was selected for a continuing education program at Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California, where he completed the Aviation Safety and Security program in 2006. In 2007, Lieutenant Commander Seward served as the Air Operations Officer and Deputy Chief of Response at Coast Guard Sector San Diego, California. In 2009, he served as the Coast Guard Liaison Officer to the United States Border Patrol, San Diego Sector Headquarters, California. From 2010 to 2013, Lieutenant Commander Seward served as the Chief of Logistics and Commanding Officer of Enlisted Personnel at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, Florida. Lastly, he completed his last watch on October 1, 2016, as the Director of Auxiliary for the Seventh Coast Guard District.

Commander Seward’s decorations include the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal (two awards), the Army Commendation Medal (two awards), the Coast Guard Achievement Medal (two awards), the Army Achievement Medal, the Commandant’s Letters of Commendation (five awards), the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and numerous other commendations.

Commander Seward is married to the former Cary Mollberg of Seldovia, Alaska and is the proud father of Alexander (23), an Ocean Rescue Lifeguard, and Andrew (21), a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University who is pursuing a double major in Aeronautical Science and Aviation Safety.

Diana Lapham will be withdrawing amounts from this account and issuing a check to the Seward family once a month. This is per the rules of the WE PAY where the donations are held. They do not hold donations for more than a month.  Diana Lapham and the Sewards have entered into this account with knowing all the financial responsibilites due. This statement is done for complete transparency to the donors and friends of the both parties.