Peek at the Past: As it appeared in the Feb. 9, 1984 Frontiersman

$50 million budget projected for schools

Facing the prospect of at least 1,000 more students entering already-packed schools, the School District administration is proposing a 1984-85 budget of $50.6 million, an increase of nearly $13 million from the current fiscal year's budget.

Superintendent Gordon Tope said the 1984-85 budget is based on a conservative estimate that 7,931 students will be attending Valley schools during the coming school year, an increase of nearly 990 over the 6,921 currently in attendance.

Seniors fight for bonus program

While legislators hustle to find an alternative to the present Longevity Bonus program, the Older Persons Action Group is spurring seniors into action.

"It is up to you," OPAG's Legislative committee said in an open letter to all Alaska seniors. Only a mass effort by all concerned may save the imperiled program, the letter said.

A McClure-Keyes Motors, you could buy a 1982 Camaro Sport Coupe for $7,495 or a 1982 Chevy Cavalier for $5,595.

In the television listings, favorites included Magnum P.I., Wonder Woman, Diff'rent Strokes and Silver Spoons, starring Ricky Schroeder. ABC was covering the 1984 Winter Olympics during this week in 1984.

In the classified section, a one acre lot at Mile 6.5 Knik-Goose Bay Road was listed for $9,500, while five acres on the Little Susitna River could be purchased for $10,000.

Rent wasn't much cheaper in 1984 than now. A two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment was going for $725 a month, while a Wasilla duplex was being rented for $525 a month.

At the Palmer-Wasilla Video Cache, a 19-inch "Quasar table color TV" boasted that the color was "locked in, automatically!" The TV set was listed for $319. If you called ahead, they could give you a demonstration, the ad said.