Peek at the Past

Here’s what made the news 13 years ago, from the Oct. 16 and 20, 1998, editions of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman:

MEA to buy Chugach?

In a surprise move, Matanuska Electric Association announced a proposal to buy the Anchorage utility that supplies its wholesale power. MEA spokesman Bruce Scott said purchasing Chugach Electric Association would save MEA members millions of dollars — about $17 million during the next five years and about $100 million over the next 25 years. Under the proposal, MEA’s subsidiary would purchase all of CEA’s assets, then MEA would absorb all of CEA’s members.

MTA’s high bid for ATU rejected

When bid information was tallied, Matanuska Telephone Association was the high bidder in the race to buy Anchorage Telephone Utility. That was not enough to win the right to buy ATU, however.

The working group that reviewed the bids for the Anchorage Assembly rejected MTA’s proposal. The city sent out a press release stating MTA’s bid was not responsive to the requirements of the bid, but did not explain further except to say the bid failed to meet requirements in several respects, including “the imposition of significant new conditions to be satisfied, the required transfer of additional assets to the Municipality of Anchorage and the requirement of additional assumption of liabilities by the Municipality of Anchorage.”

Balto comes home

Balto the Iditarod hero made a grand return to Alaska, applauded by Butte Elementary School children, photographed by the press and praised by museum officials. The 41 children whispered, as the ordinary-looking dog was unpacked from a special container proclaiming “Contains one hero dog — Balto.” The well-cared-for stuffed dog has a shiny, reddish-brown coat and looks like an ordinary sled dog. Although Balto’s six-month visit to his home state wasn’t the direct result of the lobbying by the Butte children who wanted him returned to Alaska for good, officials from his home at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History said they appreciated the children’s interest.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in 1998 you could:

• Purchase a three-bedroom, two-bath home near Colony High School for $119,000.

• Drive a model year Chevy Astro Van for $25,000.

• Stay at the Westmark Anchorage hotel for $79 a night.

• Get new glasses with frames for $64 at Vista Optical.