Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we go back to 1969.
Jack Kerouac, an American novelist who pioneered the ‘Beat Generation’ with his classic 1957 novel “On the Road” died at age 47 from an abdominal hemorrhage caused by cirrhosis.
Led Zeppelin released its second studio album, Led Zeppelin II, in the United States on Atlantic Records. The Temptations had the #1 song this week with “I Can’t Get Next to You.”
Here’s what was happening in our Valley!
Monday, Oct. 20, 1969
H.D. Silberberg Dies; Former Ansonia Judge
ANSONIA – Herman D. Silberberg, a lawyer, former Ansonia corporation counsel, city court judge and active in redevelopment, died Saturday.
He maintained law offices at 290 Main St., with Louis A. Silverstein.
Mr. Silberberg served as corporation counsel for two terms under former Mayor William Sheasby. He helped initiate the city redevelopment program after the 1955 floods. Mr. Silberberg was regarded as one of the ablest trial lawyers in the Valley.
$80,000 Sought For Restoring Humphreys House
DERBY – The Derby Historical Society is seeking $80,000 to complete the restoration of the historic David Humphrey’s House.
Of the $80,000 needed to finish the restoration, $40,000 has been promised by the state. But the state grant is conditioned upon the raising of a matching $40,000 from other sources.
The Humphrey’s House at 37 Elm St., Ansonia, was the house in which Gen. David Humphreys, aide de camp to George Washington during the Revolution, spent his early years.
Halloween Social For Court St. Rita
SEYMOUR – Court St. Rita, Catholic Daughters of America, will meet at 8 p.m. tomorrow at St. Augustine’s Church Hall.
A Halloween social will be held, and members have been asked to wear costumes. Prizes will be awarded for the most original, prettiest and funniest costumes.
Vacant House Burns; Police Nab Youngsters
SHELTON – The Echo Hose, Hook and Ladder Company, responding to a reported grease fire, found a vacant house at 369 Bridgeport Ave., burning at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Assistant Fire Chief Leroy Brainard said two juveniles smoking in the house had accidentally set it on fire. They were referred to the Shelton Police Youth Bureau.
Damage in the house was estimated at $2,500.
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 1969
Mayor Rebuts Uberti View On Benz Street
ANSONIA – Mayor Lester H. Hale of Ansonia, a candidate for election Nov. 4 on the Democratic ticket, today rebutted a statement by a Republican official on the controversial Benz Street improvement project.
Hale replied to a statement by James Uberti, chairman of the GOP town committee, who said the mayor had described James W. Martin, Republican mayoral candidate, as having brought suit to force the city to improve the street.
“I did not say that the Republican candidate brought the court action, only that he participated in the court action,” Hale said.
Romano Calls Senior Center Big Achievement
DERBY – The establishment of the Commission on the Elderly “is one of the proudest accomplishments of this present administration,” Mayor Ralph J. Romano told Republican workers at a meeting in GOP headquarters.
“I hope that early next year we can be speaking of the reality of facilities for the youth of our community,” he said.
He noted that the Senior Center is presently planning its second budgetary year. The founding of the center, he said, has opened a new door to an important part of Derby’s population.
School Business Chief Named
SEYMOUR – Miss Mildred Neumann was named business manager for the Seymour Public Schools last night at a meeting of the Board of Education.
The salary range is $9,000 to $11,000.
Miss Neumann was the secretary to the superintendent of schools for 24 years. Her new position became effective immediately.
According to a job description, the business manager will administer all financial, business, secretarial and plant-supporting services for the school system under the superintendent’s direction.
Copper Stolen From Plant
SHELTON – Shelton police are investigating the theft of 1,000 pounds of copper, a skill saw and power drill at a local plant owned by Joseph Satin. Chief of Police Bartholomew R. Flaherty said the value of the items is not known. Entry was gained through a rear door, police said.
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 1969
Hale Pledges To Hold Forums In City Wards
ANSONIA – Mayor Lester H. Hale of Ansonia said today that he would inaugurate a new type of program providing direct discussion of issues between the public and city officials.
“It is our intention to go to one ward of the city each month for the purpose of holding a discussion with the citizens,” Hale said. “In this way, we can learn directly and immediately of their feelings on current city issues.”
Contract Talks Begun By Police Union, City
DERBY – Negotiations between the Derby Police Union Local 1376 AFL-CIO and city started last night.
This morning, everyone involved was close-mouthed. One official said, “we were sworn to secrecy.”
Among the requests of the union are a salary increase that bring the starting salary in excess of $8,000 annually; a new pension plan that would allow retirement at half pay after 20 years; three more paid holidays; longevity and shift differential pay; increased insurance coverage and a shift rotation plan.
Police Arrested 36 During September
SEYMOUR – The Seymour Police Department made 36 arrests during September, according to the monthly report by Chief Kenneth Connors to the Board of Police Commissioners.
Police also investigated 37 accidents, six breaks, 3 attempted breaks, resolved eight of 18 reported thefts, responded to 45 calls for ambulance service, investigated 101 complaints, issued 18 warning notices and 206 parking tickets.
Bench Lathe Stolen At High School Shop
SHELTON –The theft of a bench lathe at Shelton High School is being investigated by Shelton police. The theft was reported yesterday to police by the superintendent of custodians. Police said there was no evidence of forced entry. There was no estimate of the value of the lathe.
Thursday, Oct. 23, 1969
Hale Raps Rival’s Tactics In Campaign
ANSONIA –Mayor Lester H. Hale of Ansonia, Democratic incumbent seeking re-election, today accused his Republican rival of resorting to name-calling in the campaign.
“It is unfortunate that he has nothing constructive to offer, no genuine issues to debate,” Hale said.
Hale said James W. Martin, the GOP mayoral candidate, did not want to discuss the facts about his involvement with Benz Street.
“He knows that I have not said that he instituted the court action to force Ansonia to pave Benz Street,” Hale said.
Siren Sounds
DERBY – A short circuit in the Derby fire alarm system caused the siren on the Civil Defense building on Elizabeth Street to sound intermittently during the night. Superintendent of Fire Alarms Clarence F. Douglass was notified. He shut off the siren until he could find the trouble.
Loda Says GOP Shortchanged Rec Program
SEYMOUR – Frank Loda, Seymour Democratic candidate for the Board of Finance, declared that the Republican members of the finance board, who vetoed a request of the Recreation Commission for an adequate budget for the current year, shortchanged the recreation program.
Loda spoke at a meeting of party workers last night.
Loda claimed that First Selectman Paul Pawlak Sr. recommended that the recreation commission budget be several thousand dollars higher, based on the needs of the town.
“The Republican members (of the Board of Finance) refused to vote, thus preventing the budget from passing,” Loda said.
Telephone Hour Being Planned For Halloween
SHELTON – The Shelton Playground and Recreation Commission will conduct its annual Halloween night telephone hour for Shelton public and parochial school children.
On Halloween night, members of the commission will use the telephones at Southern New England Telephone Co., Derby, to call children at about 9 p.m. whose names will be selected at random. Those called will receive prizes.
Friday, Oct. 24, 1969
Police To Hold Ball Jan. 17
ANSONIA – The Ansonia Police Department will hold their annual ball beginning at 9 a.m. Jan. 17 at Warsaw Park on Pulaski Highway.
Among the ball festivities will be a social with the prize being a 1970 automobile, complete with power units, air conditioning and tinted glass.
Included in the price of tickets is the buffet dinner and setups.
City Treasurer Runs Unopposed
DERBY –Derby Democratic City Treasurer Edward G. Brickett, in seeking a sixth term, will have no competition in the Nov. 4 city election.
The Republican party does not have a candidate for the office.
Brickett was first elected in 1958. He is a graduate of Shelton High School and the University of Bridgeport where he received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in accounting.
Bomb Threat Traced To Boy, 15
SEYMOUR – A 15-year-old Seymour youth who is alleged to have sent a bomb scare note to the Seymour Junior High School as a joke, may find out it isn’t funny.
The youth was taken into custody yesterday by Police Lt. Salvatore Feducia after Principal Louis Bevacqua gave the note to the police for investigation.
The note read “There is a bomb going off at 9 a.m. It is dangerous. Signed. Mr. Donovan.”
A Salute To Veteran Town Clerk
SEYMOUR – Democrats joined with Republicans to praise Town Clerk Richard R. Pearson for 20 years of service to Seymour at a testimonial last night at Pennyroyal Lodge.
First Selectman Paul Pawlak Sr. said, “We are honoring a good guy.”
State Rep. Ronald A. Sarasin of the 95th District declared, “This is a tremendous tribute to Richard Pearson. It demonstrates the warm feelings people have for Dick.”
Shelton To Get New Industry
SHELTON – A multi-million-dollar manufacturing plant will rise on more than 50 acres along the Route 8 industrial corridor.
The plant will rise on a tract of 50.98 acres on the east side of Route 8, south of Old Stratford Road and east of the Woodside Inn.
The land was bought for about $845,000, according to deeds filed in the office of the town clerk.
Reliable sources told The Evening Sentinel that the plant would be erected by a large, well-known manufacturer.