Peek at the Past

Here’s what made the news years ago, from the June 5, 1991, edition of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman.

New district maps draw political ire

After months of waiting, local political pundits late last week got their first glimpse of new state House of Representatives election district boundaries, generating white-hot reaction among observers of the often-tumultuous Mat-Su political scene. The proposals contain four scenarios, any of which would carve the Mat-Su into at least four single-member districts. Currently, there are two lawmakers elected to fill seats “A” and “B.” Rep. Ron Larson, D-Palmer, is voicing concerns that the sheer number of lines dissecting the borough negates all efforts to unify the borough. Borough members remain hopeful that a version of the reapportionment that provides a workable compromise will be developed, but it appears a lengthy legal battle is all but inevitable.

Search on for Palmer coaches

Despite a rash of resignations by coaches at Palmer High, officials say there’s no trouble in Mooseville. Palmer faces the task of filling four coaching vacancies as turnover in the school’s athletic program continues. The most glamorous position now open is the boy’s basketball coach. “Being a high school, our priority is filling the classrooms with quality teachers,” said Activities Director Mike Janacek, quickly adding that the school does take care to fill extra-curricular positions.

Hijacked car makes wandering way back to owner

A local woman said she looked out her living room window last week and saw her car, only it was being driven by an unfamiliar person and not sitting at a local mechanic shop being fixed. Before being found late last week in an Anchorage parking lot, the car was reportedly spotted several times around the Valley. The car was apparently stolen from a car care center. By the time everyone was made aware of the missing car, the woman noted her car being driven past her home on Pittman Road. “It’s a real bummer sitting on the couch watching it drive by, and not being able to do anything about it.”

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in June 1991 you could:

• Purchase a three bedroom, two-bathroom house for $86,000.

• Own a Lux Camcorder for $899.99.

• Buy a roundtrip ticket to Seattle for $268.