Palmer, Alaska
Published once,a week at Palmer, Alaska, for the Matanuska Valley Farmers’ Coopera
ting Association for the purpose of giving news of the Associations’ work, problems
and accomplishments.
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c go p flnmiAL m f. f. t i n g
The Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the Co-op was a very successful affair from
the standpoint of attendance and membership interest. The crowd was a little slow
in gathering on account of the busy farm season, however about fifty percent of the
members were there and many wives and some of the youngsters. Many feel that the
Tuesday evening meeting sets a new milestone in the progress of the Association.
The meeting was very quiet without any of the publicity promoting scenes that has
characterized some meetings in the past.
For the first time in the history of the Co-op all of the incumbent members of the
Board of Directors, who were up for re-election were voted in again signifying that
the members must be satisfied with the manner in which the past Board of Directors
have conducted the business. Chairman Brock called the meeting to' Order about 9:00
o'clock and the process of legally opening the meeting was soon over.
Manager James Wilson was introduced and gave a report on the business activities of
the Association for the last six months, the report indicated that considerable pro
gress had been made and that there were bright prospects for another successful
year ahead of the organization. Overall business had increased by about over
the same period last year, however, it was not as good as the last six months of
last year when the main business of selling producers -goods is at it's height. Then
the overhead expense is always greater in the winter months as more light and heat
is needed and the volume i-s usually less in the retail units. • The only two units
that showed a considerable loss at this time was the Garage and the Trading Post
and the Manager explained that this was partly due to reducing the inventory costs
of slow moving and .obsolete parts and goods in these departments. This was in line
with the policy adopted last year <of getting rid of unsaleable goods that had
accumulated ov-er a period of years. Mr. Wilson thanked the members who had co-op
erated with the management during the last year and said he hoped that they would
continue.
Mr. Esslinger, the Chief Accountant, was the next speaker, he gave -a report on the
financial operations of the different departments, with a breakdown any place that
was desired. The books showed a good healthy condition as a whole and there were
not very many questions asked about, the figures- given. The report was- accepted by
the membership without a dissenting voice.
The secretary gave a short report on the activities of the Board of Directors, stat
ing that the Board had held IS regular meetings and 10 special meetings besides
several meetings with groups of producers. A short recess was held before the
election of the Board of Directors with the results as follows; three were elected
for three year terms including E. R. Brock, (incumbent) Rex Kibbe, a new member from
Camp 2 near Matanuska,,Pat Hemmer, (incumbent) then another Camp 2 m^n was elected
for a two year term, A. R. Carson; finally a one year term was filled by Carl Ras
mussen, the present secretary. The Board will probably be reorganized at the next
regular meeting.
» «
Some discussion was held on the new business in regard to the accounting setup on
the egg department, the question was asked by Mr.. Thuma about whether a member
would be permitted to withdraw during or after the annual meeting as had been per
mitted when the annual meeting.was held in February, it was explained that no change
had been made in the wording of the withdrawl clause so that it stands the same as
before. Mr. DuFour questioned the advisability of reducing wages of some of the
employees at this time. No motions were made on any of the above discussions so
nothing was done. The meeting now adjourned and a lunch was served.
we forgot to mention that Mr. F. L. Kerzie was introduced by the Chairman and that
he gave a short but forceful pep talk on the interest of the members of the Associ
ation in its financial structure which was well received. Mr. I.M.C. Anderson was
present in the interests of the Farm Home Administration.
Co-op ice cream production the past six months amounted to 12,-500 gallons per month
.compared to 10,500 average per month last year._