The Wrangell sentinel., 1941-12-19
WRANGELL AND ITS PUBLIC
 UTILITIES

Q AA444 4AGlA
 The following excellent ace
 count of the early struggles and
 ultimate achievement Of estab-
 fishing a modern, municipally-
 owned power plant in Wrangel
 was prepared by E. c. Hanford
 at the request of The Sentinel
 Mr. Hanford was not only one of
 the men who took lead in the
 movement but he has compiled
 a comprehensive history of the
 light plant from the time the
 first electric power was intro
 duced into Wrangel to the pre-
 sent day.
 On March 19, 1903, public meet ing was held, sponsored by the WrangelI Chamber of Commerce, to discuss Incorporation of the town. H. D. Campbell and T. J. Case were appointed as a committee to cir culate a petition to determine how many persons desired to have the town incorporated.
 One-hundred and seventy eight persons signed this petition.
 At meeting on March 27, 1903, an election committee was appoint ed. This committee was composed of H. D. Campbell, P. c. Mccormack, W. G. Thomas and A " R. Snider. The election was held June IS, 1903, al which time the following men were elected; Peter c. Jensen, Don aid Sinclair, Fred Lynch, L. NJ. Churchill, John E. Wordon and Thomas J. Case. P. c. Jensen was chosen as Mayor.
 At it's regular meeting August 1, 1904, a communication was read from H. B. Corser asking for franchise for a Electric Light and Telephone service. Records show that much discussion took place and meeting was finally adjourned to August 13, 1904, after committee had been appointed to investigate and draw up a franchise.
 At a special meeting of Aug. goth, 1904, ordinance No. 13 was read granting a franchise to H. B. Corser, L. Milligan and E. H. Lyons. After much discussion the ordinance re- ceived a unanimous vote of the Coun- cil and the Mayor declared the or dinance adopted.
 On Feb. 9, 1905, the first bill for street lighting was approved and or dered paid, amounting to $38.
 On Mar 26 1906, disaster hit Wrangell and it was almost entirely destroyed by fire The town was without light until May of that year.
 At the April election in 1909 the town voted for and against using town funds to build water works. There were 36 votes cast, 28 for and against.
 Work started on the first dam on July g, 1909. All bids were rejected and the work done by day labor. The work was completed on October first and water was turned on on that date.
 On June 19, 1913, 0. c. Palmer, who then owned the Wrangell Light and Power Company, appeared before the Council and asked for a ten-year extension of the franchise. There was much debate on the eX- tension and no decision was reach ed.
 At a July meeting of the Council it was again brought up and tabled. At a special meeting held July IT, 1913, a vote was taken for and against an extension of the fran chise. The motion was lost 4 to 2.
 This seemed to settle the fran chise until after the election in Ap- Til 1914 at which time c. A. En- mery was elected Mayor.
 In July 1914, a ten-year etxen- sion was granted the Wrangell El- ectric Light and Power Company. WITHOUT A VOTE OF THE PEO- PILE.
 In December 1917, O. c. Palmer appeared before the Council and of- fered to sell the Wrangell Light and Power Company to the Town for $20,000, stating he had invested in transmission lines and equipment $16,500. The town rejected this of- fer.
 In the next few years there seemed to be much dissatisfaction among the citizens about the service they were