The frontiersman., 1962-05-31
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Ol1111NAAI SdAA M SAAiAi mated by transporting pupils to a central school. Such is not the case with the purposed large bureau. Here there would be no per pupil saving but rathr increased cost per pupil and some disadvantage in los ing local control. For example, our local teachers would be hired by an area wide school board rather than the local board.
 We'll, if there is no saving in school operation then h ow about such things as tax assess ing and collecting. This is an important and costly item and surely should be considered. Would we move the Tax Office to Anchorage? If so, then the dozens of people who call at the local office each week for various reasons would have somewhat further to drive. There is also some question that they would find as much understanding of their local problems. The assessor work ing out of Anchorage would collect mileage for 100 addit- ional miles each trip in addi- ton to a minimum of two hours time lost. Anyone questioning his valuation would drive to Anchorage and in the end ap- pear there before a borough as- sembly, most of who had no knowledge of our local condi- tionS. This Board would also be loaded with problems from other areas.
 Suppose, on the other hand, that branch tax office were maintained here in Palmer with the head office in Anchorage. Where would the saving be? Could they get a building for lower rent? Could it be handled with less help? Would the mon- thly phone bill be less? I can not see where the large bur ough so ardently advocated would save a cent in this field. It seems certain, on the other hand, that it would increase the cost of assessing and collecting taxes while at the same time tending somewhat to remove the control of the office from the local people who support it. If there is any office which the local people want to retain con- trol of, this is it.
 Well, how about roads? As I pointed out above, there will be no secondary roads connect ing our area with that south of the Knik, What roads are in this area will be built and maintained by equipment which is kept in this area. I fail to see where cost of this neceS- sary equipment will be. less simply because the control of it is vested in a distant boro- ugh seat. There will need to be an operator in either case. The only difference appears to be that in the case of a smaller unit the operator could also be in control under the burough assembly while with the large burough it would be necessary for a supervisor to make ire quent and costly inspection wis it's. 1 fail utterly to see where this would result in any saw ing.
 Perhaps, only one thing re- mains to be covered. This is the argument, so often advanced, that Anchorage has so much as- sessible wealth that it would be a great boon to us to be join ed with them. Naturally, no one can question the fact that the Anchorage area does have great wealth as compared to districts such as our own. l think any official of that area will also agree that they have infinitely more needs to meet. It will take a far more compre- hensive and intelligent study than anyone has made thus far to determine accurately how their ratio of assessible wealth to needs compares with our own ratio.
 Therefore, since it would not facilitate planning and as it
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