WE DON'T LIKE TO COMPLAIN'
BUT
i
There seems to bo an erroneous impression i
a road that the Matanuska Valloy Farmers’ '
Cooperating Association has some sort of f
Ilythical Horn of Plenty in its possession j
which enables it to pour out anything and |
everything anyone needs. Therefore— we |
feel it necessary to clarify the picture
a little and toll the public just what i
wo are and r/hy.
Thfc I'.V.F.C.A, generally known as the Co
o‘ , was formed at the end of a five year
period -..hen the A.R.R.C. according to an
agreement with the government wa3 required
to turn over the assetb -and liabilities
to the farmers of the Valley. At this timej
all the property was appraised and a valuer
sot on it. There were many things includ-;
ed in this transfer that th e farmers did |
not want, but they had to accent it all.
Contracts rere drawn up and mortgages
taken yeith the A.R.R.C. holding the mort
gage until th c obligation was met by the
newly formed Farmers' Association,, The
producers (including'Creamery and produce)
was rot making money. The farmers needed
money to improve their business and got on
their foet. They borrowed from the FSA
who now also holds a mortgage which is
being paid back with interest, This trans-!
for of property and operation to the far- !
ners made this a private enterprise, It is
not a government set-up anymore, It was
dumped in the farmers' lap as much as to
say, "It is now up to you? You make it pay
or sink." So you can seo that the farmers >
started out with a set-up ill fitted to
his needs, and a big debt to boot.
7! is co-op is nor: a private 'outorprise
ji’st like any other business except that j
it is omned by the patrons mho use it. Thijs
ownership embrasses about 150 farmers in
the Valley. As a private enterprise, the
co-op is subject to all economic labs as
any other business. It must pay'-Jits bills)
ana meet its obligations "or suffer the
same consoouenocs that any business mould.'
.
7" crefore, since the Co-op stands on the' ;
sol e economic lavs as any other business, j
it hardly dares to bo a mythical Santa
Claus. It can bear its just share of all i
civic enterprises along rith the other
private businesses of the town. That, it j
has alrays been milling to do. To accuse
the Co-op of not meeting its civic duties j
is being grossly unfair’and pardon us — !
but very unappreciative.
I
'To don't like to hear people "tooting |
t'loir own horns" but sometimes mo do need |
’to defend ourselves. Tie do fool that these
130 fanners of the Co-op have contributed)
their just share tomard the welfare of
the Community, At the present thqy are
furnishing rent free space to the Public
Iloilth Center and the Library. They have
paid a maintenance man r.'ho has spent much
time in the construction of the present
Hos; ital. They mic^rt do moro if they could"
but telling them they are slacking their di
OR F. R, SIMS
CEI1TIST
PALMER ___ ALASKA
DOUGLOS HEmsmCH SHOP
ANCHORAGE’ALASKA 5Th AVi
BUTTONS-BUTTON HCLES-BELTS and BUCKLES
CO VEHED-SE'TJINS-NAIL KE ADS-RHUIESTONES.
WE URGE ALL OF YOU
BUM CHRISTMAS SEALS
LOyflL ORDER of mOOSE
LOOSE ■ DO. 79 3
MOOSE HALl
L’eets 2nd and 4th TUESDAYS at 8 p.m.
VISITING MEMBERS WELCOME
VRLLEy BARBER SHOP
BARBER SERVICE
SCISSOR GRINDING
RAZOR HONING
DARYL MEEKS
PEfiRL UJHIIE LOUHDRy I
TThy not bring your laundry
to the F21RL '".'HITE during
these busy shopping days'?
IRENE LEPAK
PHONE■ 17 Y 2
Cl VI HER A
.PEnmnnEnj
AND J
filfiniCURE >
EOR <->
CHRIS TRIPS
mmiEOGRflPH ID 0 RK I
FORMS
MANDRILLS
Cl'? CUI.ARS
VfiLLEy SETTLER OFFICE
ity, ron’t got that help.