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

25 years ago, in the March 31, 1977 Frontiersman

More people coming, new homes indicate

When the Matanuska-Susitna Borough counted noses last fall, it found 14,606, a 200-percent increase over five years.

The number will take another large jump next year, if area builders fill all the houses they are planning to put up this summer.

As many as 1,100 to 1,200 homes are in the planning stages, estimated Arlen Arneson, president of the Matanuska-Susitna Home Builders Association. That compares to about 400 last year.

Last picture show

Palmer had its last picture show at the Center Theatre last Saturday. Jack Martin, who operated the moving picture house, last fall announced plans for the construction of a new theater in the Wasilla Airport Shopping Center. The new theater is not yet complete.

Borough gets pay hikes

Five top borough officials have been granted pay raises. The top raise will go to Finance Director Ron McNeese, whose salary will be $42,728.

Planner David Simpson got an 11.6-percent raise, to $32,280.

Borough Manager Wesley Howe's salary was not negotiated.

He is currently paid a salary of $36,500, plus a deferred retirement, which brings his total to $40,000.

For Easter dinner, you could get boneless hams for $1.59 a pound at D&A Super in Wasilla and Palmer. Pork steaks were $1.39 a pound, and round steaks were also $1.39 a pound

At Alaska Federal Savings, you could earn 5.25-percent interest on your savings account.

Perhaps the best sign of the times, however, could be found in an ad for Hartley Motors. "RENT A PINTO," the ad exclaims in capital letters.

For only $123 a month, you could rent the mighty Pinto, which, according to the ad, comes complete with "luxury decor group, an electric rear window defroster, and a radio."