Peek at the Past: A look back in Mat-Su's history

As it appeared in the Feb. 15, 1962 Frontiersman

Council approves $848,295 school budget

The Palmer Independent School District's proposed budget for the upcoming year was approved by motion by members of the Palmer City Council at a meeting held Feb. 12. It now goes to the state Department of Education for approval.

The proposed budget totals $858,295, an increase of some $43,000 over that of last year, however, no increase in the tax rate over that of last year is expected.

Of that total, $234,979.23 will have to be raised in the school district, which includes the city of Palmer, with the balance to be realized from federal and state funds.

Invitation extended

An invitation will be extended to advisory school boards of the Wasilla, Big Lake, Willow and Mahoneyville areas, as well as the Palmer City Council, to meet with members of the Board of Education for a general discussion on boroughs, relative to school service areas.

Kerttula sees need to reduce budget; approves wage increase

Rep. Jalmar Kerttula writes from the Alaska State Legislature that he has devoted considerable time to the budget this session. He mentions the general attitude of his associates is that they will have to try to reduce the state budget.

"I voted for increased minimum wage as it's hard to visualize anyone making a living on less than $1.65 an hour, but I voted against the overtime act because I know the very existence of many infant industries and service units on the frontier are based on 48 hours and longer," Kerttula wrote.

Forty years ago, you could cruise down to the Piggly Wiggly in your new Ford Fairlane and get carrots, squash, apples and grapefruit for 19 cents a pound, while hams were 89 cents a pound.

With the words "IN COLOR" adorning their advertisements, the Center Theater, Showplace of Palmer, encouraged patrons to come and see the movies, "Hiawatha," "Ulysses," "In the Money," "Parrish," "Subway in the Sky," "A Breath of Scandal" and "Cimarron."

At Kirk's Sales and Service (phone number 52200), the salesman could have you driving off the lot in a used 1960 Ford Galaxie, with all the options, for only $1,795.