PEEK AT THE PAST: Sept. 20, 1989

Here’s what made news in the Mat-Su 21 years ago, from the Sept. 20, 1989, issues of The Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman:

Tax rate fuels port debate

A meeting with the Mat-Su Borough Assembly and the public about a proposed $25 million bond to build a port at Point MacKenzie drew packed audience, some advocating for the port and others against more taxes.

If approved, the bonds could not be sold if the borough couldn’t get equal matching money from the state to build the port, a project that has been estimated could cost up to $50 million. Even those estimates, borough officials have said, would not be enough to complete the project.

“At the end of that $50 million, there would be at least a working port,” borough manager Donald Moore said. “I would expect additions to be made after that.”

But even the assembly seems split, as Assemblyman Ted Smith said that $50 million “won’t touch it. There’s no end to what we could spend on this project.”

Estimates of how the bond could affect tax rates ranged from Smith’s warning that it could add as much as five mills to the rate to Assemblywoman Rose Palmquist’s projection that a slight decrease could result if land sales generate enough revenue.

Disaster funds sought

The Mat-Su Valley would be included in federal disaster aid of President George Bush approves a request from Gov. Steve Cowper to declare the Southcentral region a federal disaster area because of severe flooding. Cowper’s letter to the president cites record amounts of rainfall from Aug. 25 to Sept. 13. A preliminary damage estimate is more than $10 million. The governor also wants some help from the Small Business Administration in the form of disaster loans for businesses, homeowners and renters who have sustained losses.

Exxon penalty pays for local program

Boxes are still being sorted and furniture isn’t in place, but doors are open for business at the statewide headquarters for the Alaska Craftsman Home Program in Wasilla.

The ACHP headquarters opened last week with two staffers, and represents a split from the University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Service. To get the program on its feet was a $300,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Regional Affairs from monies received from a settlement with the Exxon Corp. The settlement represents money paid to the state by the oil giant for alleged price gouging during the Arab oil embargo in the 1970s.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in September 1989 you could:

• Get a new water heater for $400.

• Pay $1,099.95 for a state-of-the-art camcorder.

• Watch those new VHS videos on a 20-inch television for $359 and a $349 VCR.

• Buy propane fuel for $1.15 a gallon delivered.