Peek at the Past

Here’s what made the news 28 years ago, from the Oct. 20, 1983, edition of the Mat-Su Frontiersman:

Power outages predicted by MEA

Valley residents should be prepared for possible prolonged power outages this winter, said Jim Palin, general manager of Matanuska Electric Association (MEA). Palin noted that Anchorage-based Chugach Electric Association, which supplies MEA with most of the Mat-Su utility’s power, is experiencing equipment difficulties that could lead to power brown-outs in the Valley. One of Chugach Electric’s major generators broke down earlier this month and the utility’s administrators said it may not be fully operational again until early December.

“I’m very concerned that we’re going to have some severe (power) outages,” Palin said.

School superintendent Gordon Tope said Iditarod and Snowshoe elementary schools have already experienced outages.

“We’ve already had two occurrences (of power failure) and we haven’t even got into the period when it’s real critical,” he said, adding that if there should be a prolonged power outage this winter, “we’re going to have some problems.”

Assembly looks at Knik crossing routes

Mat-Su Borough administration has drafted a resolution that makes specific recommendations to state planners regarding the possible construction of a Knik Arm crossing.

The resolution recommends that Elmendorf Air Force Base be chosen as the southern site for the proposed crossing and the Willow and Nancy Lake areas be chosen as the northern crossing site, in preference to a corridor that would enter the Wasilla area.

At present, six crossing sites are being looked at to join the Mat-Su Borough with the Anchorage area. Corridors from those alternatives include a myriad of possibilities that end as far north and west and Willow and as far east and south as Wasilla.

Oil money should go for jobs

More than 50 percent of Alaskans polled in a recent survey said they believe that the money from the state’s oil royalty should be used to create jobs, according to the respondents in a recent poll. The poll gave Alaskans two choices: whether the oil royalties should be used to create employment, or yield the greatest amount of money to the state. The primary reason respondents gave for wanting to create jobs was that it would mean fewer people would need social and welfare services, thus saving the government money. The primary reason cited for returning the money to the state was to finance capital improvements to provide employment during construction, maintenance and operational phases.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in 1983 you could;

• Enjoy the lunch special at Peking Chinese Restaurant for $4.25.

• Purchase a state-of-the-art VHS player for $477.

• Take a seven-day trip for two to London for $800.