The Way We Were

March 27, 1924

Nicholas Fliness, who has the contract for building the Wrangell breakwater for the government, arrived here on the Northwestern Monday night. Mr. Fliness brought 14 men with him who will comprise his crew at the start. A camp is being established near the head of the bay. The cottage which the city recently bought from James Shaffner has been rented by Mr. Fliness and will be used as a mess hall. The Viginia IV arrived from Seattle Thursday afternoon bringing powder and other material and equipment which will be used on the job. Mr. Fliness states that he is busy with preliminary work, and that he expects to be ready to begin the actual construction work within a week.

March 25, 1949

Alaska’s 19th Legislature adjourned shortly before 2 a.m. today. The end to 77 days of lawmaking came within a few minutes after Gov. Gruening rescinded his special session call after what he described as completion of legislative responsibility. Adjournment came after the House concurred in the Senate’s general appropriations bill increase to a record $13,041,000. Critics label it as a tax-happy legislature, while the administration’s supporters contended it enacted a long-needed basic tax program. Actual tax revenue estimates go beyond the general fund figures. The tobacco tax is estimated to raise a million dollars every two years, earmarked for school building construction in addition to $2.25 million more appropriated for school buildings. More than a million is expected in motor fuel taxes, which is earmarked for highways and airports.

March 27, 1974

The Senior Citizens Center will mark two years of operations next June and, following a disappointingly slow start, has become a fixture in the lives of many of Wrangell’s elderly. Mrs. Barker, center director, said the organization has 68 members, but actually a group of about 30 who regularly participate in center activities or depend on the services. The center operates in the Civic Center, sharing the building with the Women's Civic Club and other organizations. Mrs. Barker said establishment of the senior center “in a building they can call their own” will be an important advancement for the operation. “If we could get our own place, it would mean a great deal to the members.”

March 25, 1999

The city council had a full plate on their agenda Tuesday evening, including a large helping of items concerned with city property and its disposal. Also on the agenda was a proposed ordinance providing for the sale of city-owned Wrangell Fisheries to Wrangell Seafoods. The proposed ordinance was approved on second reading and will now go to a special election for approval by the voters. Though the city bought the company for $1.5 million and will sell it for $1 million, Wrangell Seafoods was the only bidder. Council members pointed out that buying the plant had saved Wrangell jobs and that selling it now will put it back on the tax rolls.