PEEK AT THE PAST: May 16, 1974

Here’s what made news 37 years ago, from the May 16, 1974, issue of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman.

Anti-Big Lake lawsuit filed

Eleven Big Lake voters have filed a lawsuit against the state of Alaska and Lt. Gov. Red Boucher seeking to nullify a recent Big Lake incorporation election. The residents are challenging a designation by an election judge that they are illegal voters on grounds of non-residency. The lawsuit alleges 14 ballots overall were wrongfully rejected in the election.

The final vote was 76-65 in favor of incorporation, if it stands.

Editorial: Checks

and balances

There’s conflict in the Mat-Su Borough over the deletion of funds in the school budget to cover student activities. The assembly slashed some $343,000. It was up to the school board to apply the cuts, and it did, in areas where the public outcry would likely be heard.

Essentially, this is the Alaska system of governmental checks and balances at work. The elected school board is responsive to the public in matters of education. It provides the basics — the three Rs — and more, according to the size and sophistication of the community. Funding depends on what the traffic will bear. …

It would seem that out of a total budget of more than $6 million, a cut of $27,000 (within the $343,000 slash) could be applied in other areas than student athletics. Is this a sacrifice that can be made? … These students would be most vitally affected by the elimination of competitive sports. …

In this exercise of checks and balances, we trust the athletic program will survive.

Three schools

to graduate 145

The three Mat-Su Borough high schools — Palmer, Wasilla and Susitna Valley — will graduate classes that represent a 10 percent increase from last year.

In separate ceremonies, Palmer will graduate 85, Wasilla 50 and Susitna Valley 10, for a total of 145, 22 more than the 123 graduates in 1973.

The bulk of that increase is in Wasilla, which registered a nearly 50 percent jump from 35 graduates a year ago.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in May 1974 you could:

• Ride the Palmer Commuter bus for $3 each way to and from Anchorage.

• Enjoy fish and chips at the Palmer Moose Lodge for $3.

• Get a 10-pound bag of potatoes for 99 cents.

• Buy two pounds of Velveeta cheese for $1.99.