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Psloer, Alaska
July SI, 1950
VOL. 13
CO-OP PERSONNEL CHANGES
VIRGIL ECEERT - NEW MANAGER OF WAREHOUSE
Virgil Eckert has been named to replace
Darrell Frank in the Warehouse who has
announced that he is leaving the end of
this month to go into business at Kenal,
Alaska. Mr. Eckert began his work in the
Warehouse on Monday of this week.
Mr. Eckert came to the Valley In 1935 from
Lillie Lacs County, Minnesota. He drew a
farm and built his own log house. Except
for one year that the family spent In
Seattle In 1935, Eckerts have made their
home on the farm they drew in 1935.
In 1936 Mr. Eckert went to work In the
Garage. In 1937 he v;as transferred to the
Warehouse where he worked under the manag
ement cf Jim Smith whc was head of the
7/arenouse at that time. In 1958 he was
tr\ nsferred to the Meat Department and was
made manager of the Slaughter house where
ha handled the wholesale meat. He worked
In this department until 194S when ho was
transferred back to the warehouse as mana
ger. In 1943 he gave up working off the
farm and went Into the dairy field which
was beginning to build up at that time.
Since that time. Mr. Eckert has remained on
the farm with the exception of the year he
spent In the Valley and a short period
when he was on the Board of Directors when
he served as temporary manager of the
association until a new manager could be
found. During the past three years Mr.
Eckert has been engaged In the production
c" eggs and fresh vegetables for the local
markets. He Is among the original members
oi the M.V.F.C.A. and has developed one
of the most attractive and prosperous
farms In the Valley.
Other personnel changes In the Warehouse
Includes the resignation of Jack Sisley
who has some construction work which he
plans to do.
IN THE GARAGE
Rodney Head has resigned and has been re
placed by Ted DeLnnd.
IN THE TRADING POST
Ramona Stark plans to leave with her hus
Cont. on page 8
ADMINISTRATOR VISITS VALLEY
On Thursday. July 13th, the R.E.A. Admin
istrator, Claude R. '.Tlcksrd, paid a visit
to the Valley H.E.A. In the afternoon
from 3:30 to 5, open house was held at tie
office and Matonuska Maid Ies Cream,
angel food cake and coffee were served.
Mr. Janes 'Yllson, Manager of the Farmers
Co-op was in to meet Mr. 'iVlcksrd, as well
as Carl Rasmussen, also Don Irwin, Direc
tor of the Alaska Experiment station. At
the 3one tine a Mr. Morgan and Mr. John
son with the Bureau of Reclamation came
in to meet Mr. Wickard. These two gentle
men made quite an interesting report on
the Eklutna project. It really looks
nov; as though the Eklutna project bill
has made Its last hurdle in Congress and
has been given the go-ahead signal. It
is needless to soy what this will mean to
the Valley in the way of adequate and
cheaper power. Our members who have been
in the Valley for a good many years knew
this is one project we have be~n looking
forward to and talking about for s number
of years.
From five until 7:30 P.U. Tcm Lepak acc
ompanied Ur. Wickard on a tour cf the
Valley and the day ended with a dinner at
Williwnw Lodge for the honored guest Mr.
Claude ll. '.Vicknrd, the M.2.A. Board mem
bers and permanent employees, also the
personnel of the local R.E.A. office. Mr.
Wicknrd was very favorably impressed with
cur Valley. He also expressed his appre
ciation for a most enjoyable evening and
stated he was pleased, to have had the
pleasure of meeting M.E.A. board members ■*
and employees as he had had many favorable
reports from divisional heads on the Asso
ciation. He further stated that M.E.A.
was fortunate Indeed to have board members
who take a personal Interest in the opera
tion of the Association.
The board nenbers expressed their regret
that Mr. Wlckard did not have nore tine
to spnn’ In the Valley so they could
have talked over our problems with hin,
and let hln see the nore recently settled
hooestead areas thru which the M.3.A. is
constructing distribution lines. It Is
hoped that Mr. 'Vickard will be able tc
visit the Valley again In the net too
distant future, and will have nore tine.