newsminer.com

10 YEARS AGO

Jan. 10, 1999 — It galls economist Bob Logan to no end, but his research shows the military is, by far, the Fairbanks economy’s biggest player.

“I’m shocked. I had no idea how important the military was here,” said Logan, an associate professor of economics at University of Alaska Fairbanks and former borough assemblyman, discussing the study he conducted as part of the military’s bid to retain Interior training lands.

By Logan’s accounting, Fort Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base represent approximately 27 percent of the direct payroll within the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

Applying a modest multiplier effect to that spending, he said, and as much as 45 percent of borough employment appears contingent upon the two local military installations. That’s a bigger influence on the local economy than state and borough statistics suggest.

25 YEARS AGO

Jan. 10, 1984 — Fairbanksan Sean O’Keefe, age 10, took the microphone at Monday’s opening session of the Alaska Senate in Juneau. He liked it so much he might try a career there.

O’Keefe is a student in Kurt Richter’s class at Weller Elementary. Dressed immaculately in a navy blue blazer, white shirt and Wall Street tie, O’Keefe never missed a beat.

The precocious Fairbanksan said afterward he learned Abraham Lincoln’s famous words as part of a repertoire of speeches and poetry titled “Shakespeare and all that,” which he performs with his younger sister, Kathleen.

50 YEARS AGO

Jan. 10, 1959 — Newly organized, the Tundra Toastmistress Club met Wednesday for a dessert meeting.

Guests attending were Mrs. Greta Koger, Bill Harvey from the Aurora Borealis Toastmasters Club and Mrs. Dion Johnson of the Polaris Toastmistress Club.

Mrs. Helen Watkins was toastmistress for the evening and the first speaker.

75 YEARS AGO

Jan. 10, 1934 — Two arrests were made by the Fairbanks Police Department in December, according to the report made to the City Council last night by Chief Einar C. Thompson. His statement follows:

“Two arrests for drunk and disorderly, fined $10 each.

“Served two summons for small debts Court.

“Killed two dogs.”