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

As it appeared in the April 27, 1972 Frontiersman:

State law dictates tax action

Paul Huppert, Mat-Su Borough Assembly president, replied yesterday to Louise Kellogg and Roxanne North, representing the Matanuska-Susitna Taxpayers' Association.

Huppert said the assembly is trying to act on the assessments according to the laws of the state of Alaska through reviews of appraisal and appeal to the board of equalization -- that this is the only course open to them.

Kellogg and North told the Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce that their organization wants the borough assembly to set aside the 1972 tax assessment.

To honor Secretaries' Week, a number of employers brought their secretaries to the chamber luncheon. Each secretary was presented with a pink carnation.

Cottle, Johnson elected to MEA board

Elected to the Matanuska Electric Association board of directors were Benjamin Cottle of Wasilla and Robert Johnson of Eagle River.

Robert Douglas, president pro tem, described to members the changes in financing which must be expected in the next few years.

Dan Bell of Eagle River won the grand prize -- a color television.

In the television listings, KTVA-11's Saturday morning lineup consisted of Bugs Bunny, Scooby Doo, Pebbles and Bam Bam, and then the ABA playoffs.

Hartley Motors was advertising the Special Galaxie 500, which came with "free vinyl roof and these luxury options … deluxe seat belts, intermittent wipers and woodgrain instrument panel."

The Palmer city police were busy -- they issued a citation to Charles Nerup for having too loud of a muffler, and they wrote nine parking tickets.

In the classified section, you could purchase 80 acres north of Wasilla for $40,000 or a three-bedroom home on 40 acres at Mile 11 Knik-Goose Bay Road for $30,000.

At the Matanuska Maid dairy, you could buy a half-gallon of ice cream for $1, and a quart of cottage cheese for 45 cents. Lettuce was 39 cents a pound, and four pounds of oranges were $1.