Published once a week in Palmer, ..laska, for the
Matanuska Valley Farmers' Co-operating association,
for the purpose of giving news of the ^aociaticn's
work, problems and accomplishments.
INCORPORATION ! WHAT NOW?
The citizens cf Palmer decided to incorporate last Tuesday. The margin was uncom
fortably small, and no doubt the voting list will be checked to ascertain if all of
the voters were eligible. This writer still feels that the action taken was a bad
mistake, but ns we said before, we are not going to sulk or try to give anyone a bad
time because they did not agree with us. However, we do feel that there were some
unfair and libelous statements made, that were totally unnecessary. Viewing the sit
uation ns the man did who was kicked by a mule, we agree that we can dismiss all
thoughts of revenge, when the source has been considered.
Life for the average citizen in ..laska, is changing, and there is not very much we
can do about it. The old Sourdough must give way to the Cheechako. So many new
people tare crowding in, that the old timer now finds himself herded with a minority
group. Ifost of the newcomers left the States to escape the pains of civilization,
but just as soon as they get their feet planted in ..laska, they immediately start to
inaugurate changes here, that they felt were obnoxious in the States. The result is
that they have a bad mixture of all of the vices that they experienced in both places.
Palmar and the Jiatanuska Valley have gone through several stages of growth and de
velopment, and now we are entering into another one. The result of this development
will depend largely upon the intelligence and experience of the ncw City Council.
Generally speaking, we feel that the people of Palmer selected the best men avail
able for the job. Theirs will be a great responsibility, and if a little advice is
welcome we would say that the most important thing needed will be the ability to co
operate and work for the good of the ’./hole community, //hen anyone or more of the
councilman begin to work for selfish interests and try to throw their weight around,
it will be too Bad. The real test of truly civilized man is his ability to work with
his fellow men, and forget about his private axe grinding.
One of the most used slogans of a lot of the people who were for incorporation was
"SO-Ji. THE CC-OP". //e do net believe that the saner and more intelligent voters were
particularly interested in this phase of the campaign. .Io are sure that all Co-op
officials will be willing to co-operate with the newly elected officials of the City
in anything that will be for the best interests of the whole community, v/hile none
of the owners of the Co-operative will have any voice in the management of the City,
as such, they will all be anxious to see good efficient government, and will do their
part in the community.
GO CD LUCK, P..LMER.
C.E.R.
P.JJviZR HIGORPOR.TES con'td.
Tlio next step, is a statement from the
Court, declaring the election legal.
The seven newly-elected councilmen will
then meet and appoint one of their number
imyor to serve until the regular election
v/hich will be held in October.
DECLINE IXTHJDED con'td.
-and-cents markup of.articles they had for
sale for the base period of December 19,
1930-January 25, 195
imphnvfmmTs REcnmmLnoED
Modification of breakwaters at Seward
and construction of breakwaters at Valdez
is recommended in a favorable report by
District and Division offices of the Corps
of Engineers in the interest of navigation
in the two harbors, according to Brig* Gen
eral O.E. Walsh, North Pacific Division
engineer.
The report, covering the Copper River
3csin and adjacent coastal waters, was
luthoriz^d by the Flood Control .*ct of 1948
..'hich called for investigations regarding
the advisability of federal improvement of
narbors and rivers of ..laska in the inter
est of navigation, flood control, hydro
slectric power and related water uses. The
following improvements were recommended:
(1) Modification of existing project at
Seward by raising south breakwater and by
construction of a two-section pile break
water on east side of existing basin, par
tially closing the entrance, at an estimat
ed cc3t to the Corps of $68,200 and an ann
contmued on page 4