Peek at the Past

Here’s what made the news 49 years ago, from the March 28, 1963, edition of the Mat-Su Frontiersman:

14-mill levy for schools set by council

Palmer City Council unanimously approved its budget and a 14-mill levy on real and personal property to raise the city’s share of the budget in the 1963 tax year. By law, the levy approved by the council automatically becomes the levy for that part of the Palmer Independent School District located outside the city. According to the budget estimate, the city’s share to be raised by taxes amounts to $107,000; the share of the district outside the city is $162,000. The budget increase reflects the increased enrollment anticipated at 132 next year.

Four borough

bills cross over

to the other side

Four borough bills have crossed over to the other side of the legislative hall in Juneau as the first session of the Third State Legislature goes into its 61st day today. Passed by the House and transmitted to the Senate were the controversial CSHB90, providing for the mandatory incorporation of certain boroughs, HB163 amending limits to 60 days the time period following incorporation during which any person may challenge the legality of any borough’s formation, and HB214, which permits the borough assembly to provide for the election of assemblymen representing areas outside the first cities from designated sections equal to the total number on the borough assembly.

Drag strip proposed

for city of Palmer

A report has been presented to the city council favoring a drag strip proposal to be located on 640 acres of state-owned land on the Valley side of Knik River Bridge to be developed with ARA funs as a private enterprise planned by Lee Nelson of Anchorage.

The proposal for the motor sports development project calls for a 60-foot strip 4,000 feet long, plus a sports car touring track.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in 1963 you could:

• Buy ground beef for .59 cents a pound.

• Enjoy all-you-can-eat at Hallea Lodge on Lake Lucille for $3.

• Purchase four 10-ounce packages of strawberries for 99 cents.