The Way We Were

Oct. 2, 1924

The Wrangell schools have taken a forward step this year in incorporating a course of religious education in the high school curriculum. The course, which is elective, provides for one hour’s work each week and carries a fourth of a credit each year. The work is given under the instruction of the local ministers during the last period on Wednesday afternoons.

Sept. 30, 1949

The first fall meeting of the Wrangell Health Council, Red Cross and Tuberculosis Association combined was held Tuesday, Sept. 27, in the health center. Nine members were present. It was voted to establish a loan closet to contain articles of use. Such articles would be donated by individuals or organizations, to be kept in a central location and loaned out as needed. The council discussed the need for a social services worker to be stationed in Wrangell to handle social problems. It went on record as recognizing the need and voted to write to Mr. Harmon, director of the Department of Public Welfare, recommending that a social services worker be stationed here. There was discussion of the need for mid-morning nourishment for schoolchildren, especially in the winter.

Oct. 9, 1974

Ketchikan attorney Robin Taylor told an anti-annexation group last week that they have a “50-50 chance” of keeping themselves out of the City of Wrangell. Taylor, who was retained by annexation opponents, told the 63 persons meeting last Wednesday night at The Salvation Army Hall that they have two alternatives: Convince state legislators that a borough would be more reasonable than annexation; or sue to block the annexation. Taylor said he is “not convinced” that the state met the letter of the law in approving the city’s proposal to annex a large area with a population of more than 800 people. The state’s Local Boundary Commission studied the city’s proposal, then recommended approval. The proposal now rests with the Legislature, which would need to vote a denial in the next session to stop the annexation from becoming law.

Sept. 30, 1999

Mayor Privett opened the September meeting by first congratulating all of the people who have volunteered to serve on various advisory committees. The council then discussed a proposed ordinance to sell Wrangell Fisheries Inc. The mayor explained the ordinance is to get the approval of the citizens of Wrangell to offer to sell the Wrangell Fisheries by public bid. The special election will be held Dec. 7. If the voters approve, the city will sell the properties for a minimum bid of $1.5 million, payable as follows: “5% down due and payable the date of the bid opening; the remainder will be at a minimum interest rate of 4% per annum and shall be amortized over 30 years.” Privett estimates that the income to the city, including property taxes, would be approximately $9,000 per month. The total amount paid to the city over the course of the loan would be approximately $2.6 million.