April 28, 1060

Here’s what made the news 52 years ago, from the April 28, 1960, edition of The Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman:

School Board studies teacher pay proposal

Considerable interest in the teacher salary scale and the tax rate in the Palmer Independent School District was shown at a recent meeting of the Palmer Board of Education. The board’s decision was to promptly take up the teachers’ salary request when the 1960 assessed valuation in the school district is known and a tentative budget may be prepared. Mayor Charles Logsdon and members of the council asked questions of the group. The city has final say on any tax increase the school board might request.

Valley residents favor university fundraising plan

Although not enough time had elapsed for all organizations to meet and take formal action, committee members reported at a recent meeting that most organizations seem to favor the fundraising plan of the Matanuska Valley Committee for the Alaska Methodist University dormitory fund. The local committee had proposed at the organizational meeting that the campaign be handled trough local organizations toward a goal of $7,000, which will represent a Matanuska Valley memorial. The university will open with accommodations for 400 students, administration offices, classrooms, laboratories, a temporary library and cafeteria.

BLM fire control station opens at Finger lake

The Bureau of Land Management Fire Control Palmer Station is permanently closed, announced Roger Burwell, fire control supervisor of Anchorage. Burwell added that the new fire control station located at Finger Lake is open on a permanent year-round basis. The station is located on a hill above Finger Lake campground. A telephone will be installed at the Finger Lake station and the number announced as soon as possible.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in 1960 you could:

• Enjoy fresh king crab for 59 cents a pound.

• Purchase a four-bedroom home with a two-car garage in Wasilla for $17,000.

• Buy a pound of cheddar cheese for 59 cents.