THE VALLEY — Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we go back to 1986 (the year yours truly graduated from Seymour High School)!
‘Top Gun’ and its famous line “I feel the need…the need for speed!” dominated the box office. Huey Lewis and The News scored a number one hit with “Stuck on You.” NFL running back and Kansas City Royals’ outfielder, Bo “Bo Knows” Jackson, hit his first home run, a 475-foot bomb, the longest at Royals Stadium.
Here’s what was happening in our Valley!
Monday, Sept. 15, 1986
Seymour Is Sky High After Jolting Ansonia
ANSONIA – For Seymour head coach Paul Sponheimer, Saturday’s smashing 19-14 win over Ansonia was the culmination of a summer’s work. But for Ansonia’s Doug Morrell, it was just too much too soon.
“We’ve been preparing for this game since the spring,” a beaming Sponheimer said, post-game. “There are a couple of plays I wish I could have back, but overall, the kids just did a super job.’
It was the Wildcats’ first win over the Chargers in five attempts, and the first opening day loss for Ansonia since 1973.
Derby Picked As A Host City For U.S. Fete
DERBY – Derby has been chosen as one of only 143 cities, town and counties nationwide to host a bicentennial celebration of the U.S. Constitution.
The selection was made by the Commission on the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, being chaired by Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger.
Derby is the only city in Connecticut and only one of eight New England communities to be picked.
“We are?” said Mayor Richard A. Grande when he learned the news this morning. “That’s great.”
Seymour Books New Head Librarian
SEYMOUR – An Illinois man has been appointed as head librarian at the Seymour Public Library.
Wayne L. Gudzinskas, of Illinois, librarian at Spoon River College, will replace Robert T. Gallucci, who resigned in March to accept a similar position at the Brookfield Public Library.
Gudzinskas is a cum laude graduate of InterAmerican University in Puerto Rico, where he earned a BA degree. He holds a master of library science degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Oko, Katz, Power Gaels Over Foran
SHELTON – Behind a powerful rushing attack, led by Tom Oko and Tim Katz, the Shelton Gaels football team rolled to a 30-7 season opening victory over Foran’s Lions here Saturday night.
The junior Oko had two touchdowns, a 29-yard field goal, three extra points and accumulated 10 yards on 17 carries.
The senior quad captain Katz also had two touchdowns and picked up 6 yards on 12 carries.
Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1986
Agency Rejects Deal On Land For Apartments
ANSONIA – A land sale which would have paved the way for construction of a 32-unit moderate income housing project on North Fourth Street was rejected by the Ansonia Redevelopment Authority Agency Monday night.
By a 3-2 vote, the agency’s board of directors turned down Michael Kantrow’s offer to pay $25,000 for the 2.2 acre property. Board member Steve Blume said that the rejection came because the land was appraised at $60,000.
Hart To Stump For Hale In Area
DERBY – Colorado Sen. Gary Hart, 1984 Democratic presidential candidate, will join state senatorial candidate Gary Hale in a campaign rally at 1:15 p.m. Saturday at Bradley School.
That announcement was made by Francis Teodosio, campaign treasurer.
“He’s the only state senatorial candidate in New England that Hart is doing it for,” Teodosio said. “The reason is because of the friendship between Hart and Hale established when Hart was running for president and Hale backed him before he was known nationally.”
Low Pay Puts Snag In Hiring For Seymour School System
SEYMOUR – The low salaries offered to teachers have hampered efforts to hire a special education teacher, Superintendent of Schools Eugene A. Coppola told the Board of Education Monday.
Coppola said several “very fine candidates” have been interviewed for a vacancy in the special education staff, but all turned down any offer after learning what the salary would be.
The current contract with the Seymour Education Association provides for a starting salary of $14,405 for a teacher with a BA degree, and $15,000 for one with an MA degree.
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 1986
City To Collect Metallic Trash
ANSONIA – If you’ve an old set of bedsprings, a defunct refrigerator or other trash-able metal objects sitting at the house, now’s the time to get them out of your life forever courtesy of the Ansonia Public Works Department.
Along with regular garbage pickups, the department will be collecting metal refuse from curbside during the week of Sept. 22-26.
12 Former Sports Stars Named To First Ansonia Hall Of Fame
ANSONIA – The first Ansonia Hall of Fame, open to deserving men and women connected to Ansonia High School and its sports programs, will be held Sunday. Nov. 30, at 2 p.m. at Actor’s Colony Inn.
Matthew F. “Pop” Shortell Jr., founder of the Hall of Fame, in conjunction with the Ansonia Grid Iron Club, said that the committee has announced the names of the 12 recipients.
The Hall of Fame recipients are Ray Cicia, Vince Drake, Charles J. “Boots” Jarvis, John Jarvis, Arthur Kilpatrick Sr., Roger Goodson, Bob Kyasky, Andy “Bubby” Natowich, Charles Sepkaski, Sr., Art Stewart, Al Webb and Ken Wheeler.
“This is a group of well-deserved all-time greats,” said Shortell. “The Ansonia Hall of Fame is a dream of mine and our committee, and we wait with great anticipation for the day that we honor these super athletes.”
Seymour Officers Attending Classes
SEYMOUR – Chief Walter M. Trzcinski and Lt. John Olenechuck Sr. will attend a review training program for chiefs of police and command personnel offered by the South Central Criminal Justic Supervisory Board.
The program will comprise ten sessions, the first of which was held today at the North Haven Police Department.
Lanzi Ends 32-Year Career; New Owners To Reopen Store
SHELTON – Joseph C. Lanzi has ended his 32-year career as a local storeowner.
His Wooster Street market will reopen Thursday with Gabriel and Maureen Cuda of Milford and James and Lauren Martin of Fox Hunt Road at the helm.
The store was closed today so the new owners could conduct an inventory before reopening at 6 a.m. Thursday.
“I wish to thank everybody for the many years of friendship and business we have shared,” Lanzi said.
Thursday, Sept. 18, 1986
Officials Pledge Aid On Stop Light
ANSONIA – Local elected officials pledged Tuesday night to use their “political muscle” to expedite the request of area residents for a traffic light at the intersection of North Main and Colony Streets.
About 60 area residents met with State Rep. Thomas Dudchik and Sen. John Consoli Tuesday night to ask for their help in petitioning the Department of Transportation for a light at the accident-plagued intersection.
They claim that the stop sign on Colony and the flashing yellow light on North Main Street do not slow traffic enough and a dangerous situation exists.
Ruling Says Board Must Fund Cop Posts
DERBY – Corporation Counsel Francis Teodosio has ruled that the Board of Apportionment and Taxation must fund two positions of acting lieutenant.
Teodosio issued his ruling at Wednesday’s special meeting of the Board of Aldermen.
He said that according to the city charter, the tax board must fund any position approved by the Board of Aldermen provided there is enough money in the budget to make the fund transfer.
“The tax board really doesn’t have to listen to the police commissioners, but it does have to listen to the Board of Aldermen,” Teodosio said.
French Park Will Be Site For Annual Pumpkin Fest
SEYMOUR – All roads will lead to French Memorial Park for the 21st annual Pumpkin Festival, a semi-juried craft show from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Last year, the event attracted a crowd of 20,000.
Booths will be arranged along Scarecrow Alley, Halloween Highway, Ghost Hill, Witches Walk, Goblin’s Gulch and the Pumpkin Patch, which will be decorated in appropriate themes.
Craftsmen from throughout the Northeast will display their wares, such as jewelry, woodenware, stained glass, ceramics, wreaths, leather goods, dolls, baskets and more.
Valley organizations will man booths offering epicurean delights to temp the taste buds of festival-goers.
Mayor Set To Lead City Parade
SHELTON – The third annual Shelton Day will start with a parade led by Grand Marshal Mayor Michael E. Pacowta Oct. 5 at 11:30 a.m.
Following Pacowta up Howe Avenue from Beard Street will be Miss Valley, Michelle Eaton, and the Shelton High School Marching Band.
This year’s festivities are expected to be even more spectacular than in the past because of many new entrants by local performers.
Friday, Sept. 19, 1986
Rite Aid Takes Aspirin Bottles Off Of Shelves
ANSONIA – Officials at Rite Aid in the Ansonia Mall Thursday removed bottles of their store-brand aspirin after a sample tested in Massachusetts was believed to contain cyanide.
The state consumer protection commissioner is urging Connecticut residents to return any Rite Aid aspirin they purchased to their local Rite Aid store for a refund.
Bomb Threat
DERBY – Police were dispatched to Bradlee’s Department Store in the Valley Shopping Center Thursday after the store received a bomb threat by telephone. A search of the store failed to show anything out of the ordinary.
Seymour “Computerizes” Public Works
SEYMOUR – The cluttered filing cabinets are gone at the Seymour Public Works Department. Instead, a new IBM personal computer occupies a small area behind the front desk.
For Suzanne Papa, department secretary, this means an end to digging through stacks of paperwork to find information. Now, it’s all at her fingertips.
Ever since the town’s Subcommittee on Computer Use recommended the purchase of four computers a year and a half ago, information that might have taken hours to find is available at the touch of a button.
Youth Leaves With Car
SHELTON – Police are searching for a 15-year-old boy who disappeared with the family car Thursday, police said.