Peek at the Past

Here’s what made the news 28 years ago in the June 9, 1983, edition of the Mat-Su Frontiersman:

School board faces cuts

Board of education members say they are frustrated about an assembly decision to reduce the school budget by $1.6 million from a requested $37 million. Many board members expressed concern that the cut would increase the pupil-teacher ratio dramatically at a time when the district is experiencing unparalleled growth in student enrollment. The cuts will be made from a list of proposals the board identified in a recent meeting. Twenty certified staff position reductions would leave no holdover teachers to absorb anticipated high enrollments this fall. Board members have voiced a desire to eliminate other areas of the budget before cutting teaching positions.

Pickin’ and grinnin’ Alaska style

Nearly 4,000 people were on hand for the Mat-Su Valley Summer Music Festival held last weekend at Settlers Bay. Dancing, toe-tapping and listening were the orders of the two days. Mat-Su Valley Musicians Association sponsored the festival. Kim Nabholz, a member of the association’s board of directors, said, “It was great. Everybody was so well mannered. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an incredibly clean crowd,” referring to the limited amount of garbage left by spectators. The festival was the fifth annual event, and due to last weekend’s success, the association is considering a similar winter festival.

Finger Lake decision postponed

The future of a proposed major housing development at Finger Lake is still unknown following a borough platting meeting. Sunshine Cove developers were present to get approval for a 17-acre residential complex. Finger Lake residents were also at the meeting en masse to discourage the board from granting this approval. Platting board officials said they had questions concerning the pollution of the lake by septage systems and increased float plane activity. Also at question is the population density the new subdivision would create. If the plan is approved, the development would be geared toward the aviation community by also building hangars and storage structures.