Thought of the Week:
There is nothing as pompous
as an "authority" who has to
maintain his reputation.
liux 2051
JL ;E AU ALAS
The Frontiersman
PUBLISHED IN THE INTEREST OF THE MATANUSKA VALLEY
DEVELOPMENT MEET
SATURDAY, JAN 13
Legion Building
1:30 p.m.
VOLUME 16. NUMBER 46
PALMER, ALASKA, THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1962
TEN PAGES
PRICE 15 CENTS
Propose $848,295 School Budget for Next Year
Stale Objects To
Freight Rale Hike
Governor William A. Egan
has announced the State of Al
aska will protest as unwarrant
ed freight rate increases to Al
aska proposed by the Alaska
Steamship Company and the
Trans-Pacific Freight Confer
ence of Japan.
Governor Egan said the State
has authorized the Washington,
D. C., firm of Chapman, Wolf
sohn and Friedman to file a
protest of the Alaska Steam
ship request and seek its sus
pension by the Federal Mari
time Commission.
Egan said the protest of Al
aska Steamship’s proposed in
crease, in addition to contend
ing the planned tariff is un
warranted and unreasonable,
will note that the commission
has not yet made a decision as
to whether it will permit per
manent imposition of an earl
ier 10 per cent increase, also
opposed by the State, request
ed by the company in Decem
ber of 1959.
The company’s proposed
boost in rates breaks down in- j
to three general classifications:;
1. A general increase of 10
per cent on all items moving
between Seattle and points on
the Alaska Peninsula, Bristol
Bay, Bethel, Norton Sound and
Kotzebue.
2. An increase of 20 per cent
on cans, cartons and salt mov
ing from Seattle to all points
in Alaska.
3. An increase of 10 per cent
on canned fish moving from all
Alaska points to points of dis- [
charge in Washington or As- i
toria, Oregon.
Egan said action to protest i
the tariff filing of the Trans-!
Pacific Freight Conference of ,
Japan would be taken after re- j
ceipt of the formal notification ,
of filing from the commission.'
KERTTULA FAVORS OIL FUNDS
BE USED FOR STATE OPERATION
i
Representative Jalmar Kert
tula said this week that he does
not understand why the State
administration has never thor
oughly explained the income
and outgo of State funds. “The
budget is far from balanced,"
he said and added the State
Appliance Loan
Program Offered
To MEA Consumers
The Matanuska Electric As
sociation is offering a new
service to its customers, it was
announced this week.
Known as Section 5 Loans,
the program, open to MEA
consumers, provides low-rate
interest loans for the purchase
of electrical appliances for the
home, barn, or place of busi
ness. Financing will go through
MEA under the REA Section 5
loan program.
This service is available to
consumers throughout the en
tire MEA system. Loans may
be used to purchase such elec
trical items for the home as
washers, dryers, dishwashers,
radios, television sets, water
heaters, freezers, refrigerators
pumps and other electrical ap
pliances. Appliances for t h €
barn, such as pipeline milkers
milking machines, tank heat
ers, hay dryers, motors, grind
ers, etc., may be purchased un
der this loan plan.
Ralph Moore, power use ad
visor with MEA. is in charge
of the program and may be
contacted at the MEA genera!
business office in Palraei
throughout the week and in ad
dition, he has announced he
will be available evenings
Saturdays and Sundays, tc
meet with interested persons.
Moore pointed out that
MEA is not selling electrical
appliances. The appliances
are purchased at the custo
mers choice of business es
tablishments. Only the fi
nancing is handled by the
local association.
frnuld be m a sad condition in!
i the near future.
Keritula made his remarks
! at a Democralic-sponsored
luncheon meeting held this
week in Palmer during which
he made reference to the
non-recurring revenue the i
: State recently a c q ui r e d
through oil lease sales. He
pointed out that this "wind- 1
fall" is needed to keep the
: State running with a balan
ced budget on the present !
tax structure.
The area representa tive ,
i leaves for Juneau this week
end and said during the corning i
l session he will continue to I
iwork toward additional funds1
'for the agricultural loan fund:
! a state marketing board; aid to
handicapped children; state
fair for valley; removal of
roads department from Juneau
I to this area; relief for Valley
! hospital from ESC debt.
Kerttula stated he doesn’t
! feel it well to rush into bor
j ough legislation because of
I costs which will have to be as
! sumed by the boroughs, includ
: ing roads and schools.
He stated he feels the agri
cultural economy of this area
: can not at this time support a
! borough of the type being en
visioned in District 7. “There
are too many built-incosts,” he
added.
FHA ASSISTANT
ARRIVES HERE
Daryl K. Bohman of Weiser,
Idaho, has arrived in Palmer
and assumed his duties as as
sistant to A. Q. Stine, director
of the Farmers Home Adminis
tration.
Bohman, an agricultural
graduate of Utah State College,
has been working in the Idaho
area the past 12 years. He was
accompanied to Palmer by one
of his four children. Mrs. Boh
man and their other three chil
dren will come to Palmer as
soon as housing is available.
Protests Police
Policy in City
A Palmer businessman, A1,
Urooks, appeared before the
-'aimer City Council during
heir January 9 meeting, to
■n a k e comments on police
ivork in general, within the
:ity.
Brooks told the Council that
ilthough he was appearing he
roic them “on his own”, there
»vere some 20 persons in the
process of forming a group to
letermine the police program'
in the area. He pointed out that
a is comments were primarily:
personal observations.
“Working with the Chamber :
of Commerce in an attempt to
develop the tourism trade I
recognize the need for clean i
roadsides. During the past sum- j
mer I picked up two pick-up
loads of beer cans and bottles :
and cartons that littered a short1
distance of the highway. Last
year I tried to get enthusiasm
worked up . . .everyone agreed
but no one wanted to do any
thing about it. I feel the law is
lax in illegal sales of alcohol to
young people.
MINSTREL SHOW
DATES ARE SET
“It's that t i rr. o again." an
nounced members of the Ki
wanis Club of Palmer this
week when dates for their an
nual minstrel show were an
nounced.
The popular, local show will
this year he presented on Fri
day and Saturday, March 30
and 31.
*Les Klebesadel is spending
all his spare time, working on'
script for the show. As yet, this
year's theme has not been an
nounced.
Serving as co-directors of
the show will be Kiwanians H.
J. Hodgson and Jim Wilson.
Local talent will again this
year be featured in the show.
Anyone having talent they will
share, or knowing someone
willing to participate, is asked
to watch for rehearsal dates
and further information.
Governor Will Ask
More School Funds
Word has been received lo
cally that Governor William A.
Egan plans to ask the 1962 Leg
islature for additional funds to
make up expected school defic
its for 1961 and 1962.
Hayes Bergeron of Juneau,
secretary of the Alaska Educa
tion Association, notified Wil
liam T. Zahradnicek, Palmer
superintendent of schools, of
the governor’s plans.
During the last session of the
Legislature, requested funds
were considerably cut and
many school districts through
out the State are faced with
financial problem unless the
Legislature acts in favor of the
Governor’s request. Superin
tendent Zahradicek, on two oc
casions, has publically asked
that action be taken to suppli
ment the appropriations made
by the last Legislature.
“Breaking and entry goes on i
to some extent in every town
and quite frequently here in :
the past few years. Two weeks
ago my place was broken into '
and $800 worth of chain saws
were stolen. Because of circum
stances, I have since lost five ;
sales on a particular model.
This is hurting me financially 1
. . . during the past 30 days it :
appears there is not the proper i
protection.
“Gambling goes on in this
town. Everyone knows about it
. . . we have city and state laws
prohibiting gambling . . . there
is an ordinance prohibiting
double parking, speeding, over
time parking that are enforced,
but others overlooked. If these
laws are not legal, the Council
should amend or discharge
them. If we did not have these I
laws hundreds would yell, yet!
they are not enforced when we j
do have them.
“Drunks are allowed to stag- j
ger to their cars and drive off 1
. . . Palmer is no worse than !
other towns, but part of police!
work is the protection of others !
from drunken drivers.
“Thefts are reported to the j
police . . . when complaints are1
made we expect the police to |
investigate. Personally, I am
willing to make signed com
plaints when justified.
“A week ago Thursday, par- j
lially through desperation, I
decided to go on patrol myself j
and see what goes on in the j
town—how big a job it is—r-1
will state now, the policeman j
on duty was my prime objec- i
tive for I too had heard stories
of frequent coffee breaks, etc.
I patrolled from 5:45 to 11:50|
p.m. and have a complete rec- i
ord of where the policeman j
was at all times. At 10:30 I
stopped the policeman and
identified myself, for by then \
he too was watching me. I’m 1
not shooting at any one police-,
man, 1 can give instances in- j
voicing each of the police of
ficers. I don’t believe the pres-i
;nt program of policing pro
vides the protection the city is
ipending such an amount of
noney on. During the six hours
! toured the town, no door
landles were touched except at
he hotel, Bert's Drug Store
ind the city hall.
“Ordinances are voted to pro
ect the rights of residents. I
eel it is up to the City Coun
;il to see the ordinances are en
'orced," Brooks concluded.
Brooks stated that during
the time he was touring the
police officer took only one
brief coffee break.
Following his talk to the
Council a discussion was held
during which Councilman
Moore, chairman of the public
safety committee, stated that
he is sure there will be changes
noted in the police program in
the city.
(Continued on page 7))
Police Continue
Investigations of
Local Robberies
Local state and city police
are working with state police
of the Anchorage and Kenai
areas in an attempt' to solve a
recent rash of robberies, sev
eral of which occurred in the
Palmer and Wasilla areas.
In Kenai last Saturday state
police arrested David Gibson,
of that city and Larry Puddi
comhe. 23 of Palmer and are
holding them in Federal jail in
Anchorage, charging them
with a drugstore burglary in
Kenai.
Local police have taken evi
dence from robberies here in
Palmer to Anchorage where
examinations are being con
ducted in an attempt to deter
volved in the local robberies. It
is believed that tools found in
the possession of the men were
those used in robberies in this
urea.
Charier Group
Favors (ily Manager
The Palmer Charter Com
' mission has just completed a
rough draft of a city charter
for the City of Palmer, and
while a more polished version
is being readied for publica
tion, it is hoped that the pub
lic will become acquainted
j with some of the more salient
points through a planned ser
ies of newspaper articles.
City Manager
It is the unanimous opinion
of the nine members of the
Charter Commission that a
city manager is necessary for
the efficient operation of the
City of Palmer.
The city conducts a $250,000
j annual business. Any business
of this magnitude, it was point
ed out, must have competent
unified management. “No busi
| ness is ever run successfully by
|a group of part time commit
tees.” a member of the Com
i mission pointed out. "It needs
the full time attention of one
j person who coordinates work
! of the various departments and
who provides continuity be
tween new and outgoing City
Councils," he added.
Under terms of the proposed
Charter, the choice of a city
manager would rest with the
City Council and would be
based solely upon qualifica
tions; not of a political nature.
The manager would be entirely
responsible to the Council and
carry out city policies. The
city’s interests would be pro
tected by his knowledge of the
mechanics of operating a city,
it was added.
Area Development Meeting Saturday
Every person of Election Dis
trict 7 (formerly Election Dis
trict 9), who can furnish any
real knowledge of economic po
tentials of the area, whether
they lie in the commercial or
industrial field is invited to at
tend a public meeting to be
held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan
uary 13 in the basement meet
ing room of the American Le
gion building in Palmer.
The meeting is being called
by John D. Shaw and Cole Mc
Farland, both of the valley
area, and members of the State
Economic Development Com
mittee.
"It is important that every
possible plan for new indus
try or business in Election
District 7 be presented at
Saturday's meeting, or im
mediately thereafter." Attor
ney Shaw said this week.
"Any enterprise which will
make new jobs or increase
employment is eligible for
consideration," he said.
The over-all ecpnomic de
velopment program under the
Federal Area Redevelopment
Act (Public Law 87-27, May 1,
1961) is a program involving
local. State and Federal respon
sibilities.
At the meeting Saturday a
working committee will be
elected. These persons should
be those who will have time
to devote to the program, and
the inclinations to carry
through. Plans not incort
poraied in the work of the
committee to be elected pro
bably will be lost to the area
by not being included in the
over-all plan.
“Anyone with any idea for
any business or industry that
will increase the tax base, make
jobs, and increase the local ec
onomy should present the ideas
at the meeting—if not in per
son, in letter form,” Shaw
stated.
Once the committee com
pletes its work their ideas
will be passed on to the State
where the Governor will be
a'ked for his approval. The
plan* then 90 to Washington.
D. C. and if approved, back
■gain through the State and
local channels.
“This is the most important
i meeting we have scheduled to
(date," Shaw said in strongly
urging all residents to put on
their thinking caps and then
make their ideas known. Some
areas in the State have already
completed their studies, pre
sented plans to the Governoi
and are now awaiting word
from Washington.
“This is an opportunity tc
develop our area that we must
take advantage of,” Shaw em
phasized.
District Share
Would Be $234,979
The Palmer Independent,
School District’s proposed bud
get for the coming year totals
$858,295.73, an increase of $43.
210 over last year’s $815,084.89
figure. Past experience has
shown that the proposed bud
get has run relatively close to
the actual costs. The budget
will be presented to the Pal-1
mer City Council for approval
as well as to the Commissioner
of Education.
Of the total. $234,979.23 will
have to be raised in the
school district. Although the
proposed budget shows an
increase over 1961, it is not
expected that any increase in
the tax levy (over the 14-mill
rale of last year) will be nec
essary. The balance of funds
will be obtained from State
and Federal funds.
The School district antici
pates an enrollment of some
1.078 students in the coming
year. This spring 47 will gra
duate and it is estimated some
120 students will be picked up
; on the rolls next year.
! The cost of operating Pal
! mer’s three schools amounts to
j a considerable figure. Pupil
j transportation alone runs $112,
i 689.91; instruction salaries.
! $453.075.91—over one half the
| entire budget figure; plant op
Hospital Auxiliary
Seeking Funds For
Surgery Spotlight
Members of the Valley Hos
pital Auxiliary are accepting
contributions toward their cur
rent project: that of raising
funds for the purchase of a
much-needed portable spotlight
I for use in surgery.
To date $75 has been receiv
ed and a promise of $100 from
| another organization. The light
i, will cost alxuit $000. Mrs-.
I Frank Clarke, auxiliary presi
dent, said this week.
Members of the Butte Home
makers Club, with a donation
of $25, were the first to re
spond to the new project of
the Auxiliary. Members of
the Alaska Nurses Association
of this district contributed $50
to the fund.
It is hoped that the $600
goal may soon be reached as
the light is needed right
now, Mrs. Clark said.
The Hospital Auxiliary, with
a very limited membership,
has been responsible for t h e
purchase of several pieces of
l equipment for the hospital that
| could not be purchased from
| hospital funds.
| Persons and organizations
| interested may send contribu
| tions to Mrs. Clark or leave
I them at the hospital, earmark
led for the spotlight fund.
GOVERNOR NAMES PETRO
TO AHA VACANCY
j Governor William A. Egan
I has named Robert Petro, Sitka.
| to the Alaska Housing Author
I ity for the remainder of the
j term expiring January 31, 1963.
left, vacant by the death of Or
ville Paxton, also of Sitka. The
appointment is subject to con
firmation by a majority of the
members of the Legislature in
joint session.
i
oration, $82,900; plant mainten
ance, $22,100; administration,
$43,500; instruction supplies,
$23,652.25; health services, $8.
250; and other amounts for var
ied costs such as the cafeteria,
community college, community
services, capital outlay, debt
service from current fund,
other administrative expenses
and others.
The proposed budget was re
viewed by the Palmer Board of
Education at a meeting held
January 8 and was approved
by members of the board.
Assessment Forms
Are Distributed
In School District
John Marshall, tax assessor,
stated today that forms for re
porting personal property in
the Palmer Independent School
District have been mailed dur
ing the past two weeks. These
forms should be completed and
returned to his office by Feb
ruary 1, he added.
Marsnall explained that his
office attempts to send forms
to all residents of the district.
However, anyone not receiv
ing a copy should ask for one.
he added. Persons new to the
community might appreciate
having this brought to their
attention, he added.
Unavoidably, these forms are
occasionally sent to persons re
siding outside the incorporated
school district. Marshall stated
that it would be much appreci
ated if these forms were to be
returned to his office, with an
explanatory note, or a tele
phone call would suffice, he
added.
The tax assessor said he real
ized the personal property tax
can be unfair and obnoxious,
and that the honest person is
sometimes penalized. “We do
all we can to avoid this,” he
stated. “All returns will be ex
amined, and those which ap
pear low — both business and
personal—will be investigated,”
he added.
Community College
Plans Second
Semester Courses
The Palmer Community Col
lege is planning this year to
offer a second semester of in
struction courses which will
definitely continue over from
the first semester, it was an
nounced this week by Alvin
Okeson, college director.
Courses which will defi
nitely continue include Prin
ciples of Accounting, Typing
I and II. and Art. The physi
cal education classes will
continue until some time in
April, Okeson said.
If the demand should war
rant, new courses will be
started at the end of the first
semester — about the first of
February.
Interested persons should
watch for announcements re
garding registration dgt.es ana
i further listings and informa
! tion, Okeson added.
Mt. McKinley Legion of the Moose, 51
MEETING and ENROLLMENT
Moose Lodge
Saturday, January 13-7:30 P.M.
# BEAVER BAR-B-QUE and M O O S E
ROAST will follow
# DANCING - MOOSE ORCHESTRA
0 $1.00 Donation per person
ALL LEGIONNAIRES, MOOSE MEMBERS AND THEIR
WIVES AND GUESTS INVITED.