EDITOR’S NOTE: Superiorland Yesterdays is prepared by the reference staff at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.

30 years ago

ISHPEMING — Area Cleveland Cliffs Inc. employees are getting an early Christmas present to the tune of about $2,000 apiece. CCI announced plans Tuesday to pay back money deferred from employee paychecks since Dec. 1, 1987. The deferrals – 90 cents an hour plus a percentage of incentive pay – will end this pay period. The repayment is to take place by Nov. 30, said CCI spokesman, Don Ryan. The deferrals were originally designed to stay in effect until 1990 to help fund rejuvenation of the Empire and Tilden mines. Ryan said the projects would not be affected by the elimination of the deferrals. Eliminating the program meant reworking loans for the Tilden project, in which the deferrals were used as collateral. Dan Carilli, staff representative for the United Steel Workers Union said some repayments could be as high as 2,500, excluding taxes. But Gary Waterman, Local 2912 president said the repayment shows the program was never needed. Many workers expressed unhappiness with the agreement when it was ratified, but said they accepted it to keep the Tilden open.

60 years ago

SKANDIA — Al Hebert, Shingleton, was elected president of the board of directors of the Marquette-Alger County Farm Bureau at the bureau’s first annual meeting held in the Skandia School. Others named to the board were Leonard Phillips, Republic, vice president; Edward Anderson, Sundell, executive committee member; and Directors Ben Lindberg, Carlshend; Mrs. Ernest Hamel, Champion; Fred Ball, Dukes; and Elmer Iho, Trenary. Hugo Kivi, Escanaba, Farm Bureau coordinator for the Upper Peninsula, was present at the meeting to assist the directors. Members of the Marquette-Alger County group went on record as opposing any constitutional convention. Other business included formulation of resolutions to be introduced at the annual Farm Bureau convention to be held in Lansing next month.