V
CHRISTIAN
EDUCATION WEEK
SEPTEMBER 26 — OCTOBER 3
The Frontiersman
PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE MATANUSKA VALLEY
TRY A FRONTIERSMAN
CLASSIFIED AD for ihat
item you may have for sale,
rent or lease.
VOLUME 7, NUMBER 49
PALMER. ALASKA. THURSDAY. SEPT. 30. 1954
PRICE TEN CENT*
MANY ISSUES
REPUBLICANS PLAN RALLY;
WASILLA BI-PARTISAN MEETING
All Valley residents are invited |
to attend the Republican Rally
to be held by members of the Ma
tanuska Valley Republican Clubs
on Monday evening, October 4, in
Elks Hall at 8 p.m.
A complete slate of Republican
candidates for tafedtorial House
and Senate offices will be present
in person or by personal repre
sentation.
Plans for the rally were com
pleted at a club meeting this
-week. Club members have adopt
ed a slogan for Valley voters,
_“A vote for your local candi
date is a vote for your commun
ity. Let’s show our voting stren
gth.” A balance of $231 which re
mained following the 1954 Re
publican Convention, will be used
for campaign expenses, members
decided. This will include adver
tising and a letter campaign. Of
ficial Republican headquarters
will be set up in the M. D. Snod
grass building, located on Mat
anuska Street directly behind the
Post Office. Information on can
didates may be obtained at the
headquarters.
All persons interested in the |
October 12 election are urged to
attend the rally on Monday night !
and meet the candidates and dis- j
cuss the forthcoming election, j
Refreshments will be served.
On Tuesday afternoon, October
5, a tea for women candidates I
will be held in the Wasilla Com
munity Hall, from 2:30 to 5:30
p.m. All valley residents are cor- j
dially invited to attend.
Bi-Partisan Meeting
A bi-partisan meeting will be
held at the Wasilla Grange Hut
on Tuesday evening, October 5.
Candidates from both parties are
expected to attend to give their
views and answer questions. The
public is cordially invited to at
tend the meeting.
Co-Op Installs
New $54,000
Sprinkler System
Work on the completely modern
automatic sprinkler system has
been completed at the Matanuska
Valley Farmers Cooperating As
sociation warehouse, trading post,
and creamery.
The 54,000 system is the first
of its kind in a Palmer establish
ment and provides the Co-Op
with a major fire prevention
measure. With the protection of
tne sprinkler system, the fire in
surance rates on the association’s
holdings will be materially re
duced, it was announced this
week. It is planned to invest the
saving in other type insurance
following a review of the present
insurance program of the associa
tion.
Thousands of feet of pipe were
installed in the three sections of
the Co-Op shopping center, and
nearly 2,000 automatic spray
heads, by the Grinnell Company
of eSattle. J. E. Olson supervised
the installation which was start
ed in mid-July of this year.
| HAM OPERATOR
ij NEEDED BY CD
Anyone who is a licensed ;
; “ham” radio operator, or any- I
1 one knowing of such a licens
ed person, is asked to immedi
' ately contact Civil Defense
Director Edward H. Imme at
; the Lutheran Church.
The Civil Defense organiza- 1
tion has made radio equipment
available to the local CD group
rj; with the stipulation that a li
censed operator be found who
;! can use the equipment before
it will be turned over to the
area.
City Council
Proceedings
Airport Report
Richard Demming, member of
the City Planning Commission,
made an inspection of existing
:onditions at the Palmer Airport
and offered suggestions by letter
to the city for necessary improve
ments. The recommendations ran
pretty well along those already
submitted to the city by the Ma
tanuska Valley Airmens Associa
tion, the local Chamber of Com
merce, and the Soil Conservation
Service, all of whom had made
previous recommendations.
Council members will compile j
the recommended improvements J
and deliver them to Herman Por- :
ter, director of aviation, to be j
presented at a board meeting to
be held in Nome the first of Oc- '
tober. The letter accompanying j
the recommendations will indi
cate that if the airport can be'
put in proper operational condi
tion the city will consider its
acquisition, providing a clear title
to all airport land can be given
by the Department of Aviation.
Council members went on rec
ord as feeling that the airport was
built by the territory for the en
tire Valley and that the small seg
ment in the city should not be
obliged to accept the responsibil
ity of the airport. The Department
of Aviation has maintained that
it can not maintain the local air
port because, according to terri
torial law, they are not permit
ted to care for an airport” . . .
built in or for a city of 600 resi
dents or more”.
Preparing Statement
A financial statement was pre
sented to the council at the Sep
tember 28 meeting as part of the
work being done on the city
books preparitory to the general
audit.
Annual Report Given
Fire Chief Joseph Gallant pre
sented his annual report to Act
ing Mayor Betty Mears and mem
(Continued on page 8)
Mining Course
To Open Wenesday
Prospectors — and would-be
prospectors—are invited to attend
the University of Alaska Exten
sion Service prospectors’ course
to be held in Palmer, beginning
next Wednesday evening, October
6.
The four-week course will be
held five nights a week, accord
ing to Leo MarkAnthony, who
will instruct students in the use
of the geiger counter, mineral
light, gold pan and other mining
equipment. Classes will run ap
proximately two hours each night,
he said, and certificates will be
given those who have 75 per
cent attendance and who con
vince the instructor of their cap
ability in indentifying minerals
at the close of the course.
The course, originally slated for
later this year, was moved up
suddenly when it was learned
that a schedule class at Delta
would have to be cancelled. The
meeting place and the time will
; be posted around town prior to
; Wednesday, MarkAnthony said in
; announcing that all plans for the
’ course were not yet completed.
I This course is tuition free anc
open to any and all interestec
persons, experienced or not, a;
no prior knowledge is necessarj
to take the course, MarkAnthonj
said.
Consider the Facts
Why does the City of Palmer need a new
Sewage System?
Because a sanitary sewer system, next to a pure water
system, is the most important health safeguard a city can
provide for its residents. Inadeguate waste disposal is
the number one sanitation problem in any settled community
because of the recurring danger of the spread of dread
diseases.
What's the matter with the present sewage
system?
Nothing, as far as it goes—but it serves only about
one-third of the city. The MVFCA put in a system to serve
the Co-Op area. The Experiment Station paid for an ex
tension to its facilities. The ARRC provided sewer facilities
for the ARRC subdivision. Together the Co-Op and ARRC
built the outfall system, anticipated growth. The proposed
new sewer system will not duplicate any of these facilities.
The city has an option to purchase the present outfall
system providing the voters approve the sewer project by
a YES vote on the sewer bond proposal.
How much is the new sewer system going to
cost?
Voters are being asked to approve a bonded indebted
ness of S400.000. This figure was made large enough to
cover any contingencies and any possible changes in plans
or extensions. Actually the cost of the project should
come within $350,000 of which $175,000 must be paid by
the users.
Who is going to pay all this money?
The city has applied for APW funds. If granted Alaska
Public Works will pay half the cost of the entire project,
including the preliminary engineering costs. The remaining
half—roughly $175,000 will be paid by the city. APW gives
the city 20 years in which to pay this amount and charges
only two percent per annum on the unpaid balance. The
city couldn’t hope to borrow from any other source for
less than V'i to 4 percent interest. Also APW takes on the
responsibility of building the system for us. Our first pay
ment is due a year after the City Council accepts the system
from APW.
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Yeah, hot how is the city going to get that
$175,000? Through a general property tax?
Access to a sewer system is a material improvement t
to the properly which it serves. It increases the value of t
that property and makes it more desirable for the potential
home builder or buyer as well as for the present home ,
owner. Ask any home owner in the ARRC subdivision
what the assessment was against bis lot for sewer facilities. .
He's already paid them. That is why the present City Council
has decided to approve the assessment method of defraying
the cost of the new system. Under this method, only the
property benefited or improved will be assessed a pro
portionate share of the total cost to the city.
The total cost assessed against an individual lot should
not be more than about S360. It may be much less for a
small lot owner. Under Council action taken a week ago,
assessments may be paid off in 5-, 10-, 15-, or 20-year
payments, however the homeowner elects. The total cost
is far less than the cost of most private cess pool or septic
tank systems and less than some people have to pay m
repairs for such systems in a single year. i
Who gets a chance to vote on this new
sewage system?
All qualified electors of the City of Palmer may vote
cn the proposed purchase of the outfall system and acquisi
tion of a collection system. Both real and personal property
owners whose names are on the city s assessment roll may
vote to authorize the bonded indebtedness. These pro
perty owners must register by October 1 in the City Clerk s
office to be able to cast this vote.
If you have more questions about the proposed new
sewage system, bring them to the hearing tonight in the
Co-Op club room at 8 p.m. Charles Tryck, engineer, will
be present to explain all details.
Howard Esslinger
Appointed to
Annapolis Academy
While making a visit to Pal
mer on September 23 Delegate to
Congress, E. L. Bartlett announc
ed his appointment of Howard
Esslinger, 17-year-old son of Mr.
and Mrs. Clayton Esslinger of
Palmer to the United States Na
val. Academy at Annapolis, Mary
land.
Young Esslinger, an honor stu
dent throughout his schooling, i:
in his senior year at Palmer Higl
School. lie was born at Dayton
Ohio, August 30, 1937 and school
ed at McGuffey School in Spring
field, Ohio before coming to th<
Valley with his parents in 194—
Besides his parents Howard ha
a sister, Gretchen who is 14 year
old.
The Annapolis appointee ha
i been a member of the Boy Scout
of America ever since his ag
' permited his entrance in the Cu
(Continued on page 8)
LOCAL POLIO FUND
NEARS $4,000 MARK
Local Emergency March of
Dimes funds have risen to almost j
$4,000, according to Ed Smith, j
committe chairman- A check in
the amount of $3,533.02 was mail
ed to the Anchorage chapter two
weeks ago. Since that time addi
tional contributions have come in
and the fund now totals $3,943.52.
Recent contributions came from
. Mary Jane Clark who donated
$60 which she earned as a 1954
Matanuska Valley Fair queen
' contestant; United Mine Workers
at Jonesville who turned over
„ $330.50 and a sum from Mr. and
Mrs. Tatso Gosho.
5 Additional sums have been
3 turned in for the local Boy Scout
fund drive, Smith reported. The
3 American Legion Post No. 15
3 turned in $10.09, bringing the
3 local fund total to $582.39, the
o highest amount raised in the val
ley in a Scout drive.
FOUR CANDIDATES
FILE FOR 5-YEAR
SCHOOL BOARD TERM
City and school district voters
who go to the polls next Tuesday
will cast their ballots in favor
Df one of four candidates who are
running for the five-year term on
the school board. Candidates are
George (Ed) Smith of the Butte
area; Rudolph Yerbich of the
mine area; and Mrs. Barbara
Skok and Herbert Kopperud, both
city residents. One of the four
will be elected to fill the five
year term being completed by
Harold Thuma. Present members
of the board are Mr. Thuma, j
James Hurley, Mrs. Mary Wash- j
burn. Bill Roark, and Lew Hanks.
The school board election will |
coincide with the city election
and polling place for the entire
school district, will be the same
in the Co-Op club room, but with
a separate election board. Judges
and clerks for the school board
election will be: Mrs. Harriett
Cottrell, Mrs. Charles Schaefer
and V. Louise Kellogg. Polls will
be open at 8 a.m. and close at
7 p.m.
ftewspaperboy Day
Set for October 2
Governor B. Frank Heintzle
man has issued a proclamation
designating Saturday, October 2
as Newspaperboy Day. He called
upon all citizens of this vast
Territory to bestow' the honors
and recognition so richly earned
and deserved, by these enter
prising young men throughout
the Territory, who serve daily
throughout the year, keeping the
public alert and informed.
Gov. Heintzleman pointed out
that the freedom of the press is of
great importance to the well-be
ing and security of the nation and
that newspaper carriers in the
Territory of Alaska are faced with
unusual problems of climate and
terrain peculiar to this part of the
world.
Over 57 million newspapers are
delivered every day by more
than 700,000 carrier boys, indicat
ing the trust newspapers place
in the boys is not poorly founded.
FOUR RESIDENTS
FILE FOR CITY
COUNCIL SEATS
Four city residents filed peti
tions with the city clerk prior
to the closing time this past Sat
urday, and will seek election to
the vacancies on the city council.
All four are local business men.
Three of the men, Alfred V.
Hagen, Robert Peterson, and Ber
tren Curry, will compete for the
two three-year terms. A1 J. De
Julio, incumbant, will seek unop
posed election to the unexpired
three-year term. DeJulio, owner
of The Frontiersman publishing
plant, has been serving on the
city council the past three months,
filling the vacancy caused by the
death of Councilman Parker
Lester. He is married and the
father of three children, and owns
his own home on Swanson Street
in the North Palmer district.
Curry, who is running for a
city office for the first time, is
owner and manager of the Pal
mer Paint Company. With his
wife and son he lives in the AHA
housing area where the family
own their own home. The Currys
have two older sons, one who is
attending college and another
who makes his home in the States.
Peterson, also a city home own
er, owns the Palmer Bar and part
owner of the Sourdough Bar and
conducts an amusement conces
sion business in the valley. With
his wife Ruth and young son, he
makes his home just off Wasilla
Road.
Alfred Hagen, former City of
Palmer mayor, owns the Valley
Theatre and apartment building
| and is an active member of the
Matanuska Valley Fair Associa
■ tion. Mr. and Mrs. Hagen have
| one daughter, Pat, Palmer High
School student.
City polls will open Tuesday
morning, October 5 at the Co-Op
club room and will remain until
7 p.m. All qualified electors of the
City of Palmer are eligible to
vote. No prior registration is nec
essary for the election of city of
ficials. A qualified elector must
be a resident of the city for at
least one year, able to read and
write the English language and
be at least 21 years of age.
In addition to the city council
(Continued on page 8)
NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS TO REGISTER
FOR ELECTION OF OCTOBER 5, 1954
Voters who are taxpayers of the City of Palmer
and whose names appear on the last tax assessment
roll or record, who wish to vote in the election to be
held on October 5, 1954, upon the proposition ©f
acquiring, constructing, and purchasing a sewer
system for the City of Palmer are required to register
in advance.
Registration books for such purpose will be main
tained at the office of the City Clerk located in the
Neal Wright Building from September 2, 1954 until 5
o'clock P.M. on October 1, 1954. Such taxpayers wish
ing to vote in said election upon said proposition must
personally register their names in such books within
the time above-stated. Accordingly all City taxpayers
are urged to register promptly in order to qualify
themselves to vote upon said proposition.
Advance registration of voters is required only for
the sewer proposition as above-staled. For all other
propositions to be voted upon in said election, includ
ing the election of City Councilmen, registration will
be done at the polls at the time of voting and no
advance registration is required therefor.
LENORE AMERMAN
Acting City Clerk
(UiASKH’S FHUORITE GBIHE EVER9 TUES.
PALMER ELKS LODGE HOME 8:00 P.M._ PRIZES, PRIZES, PRIZES - EVERYBODY WELCOME