Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we go back to 1988.
Here’s what was happening in our Valley!
Wednesday. Nov. 9. 1988
Only Ansonia Blocks Sweep Of The Valley
ANSONIA – Vice President George Herbert Walker Bush roared to victory in the Valley Tuesday, defeating Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis by 6,246 votes.
Seventy-six percent, or 38,440 out of 50,706 registered Valley voters, cast their ballots compared to 83 percent in the 1984 Reagan-Mondale campaign.
Ansonia was the only Valley community that went for Dukakis, and even in that Democratic stronghold, the margin was a razor-thin 31 votes.
A Landslide For Schlesinger’s 5th Term
DERBY – Alan Schlesigner will serve a fifth consecutive term in the state House of Representatives after a landslide victory over Democratic challenger Donald Noto.
Schlesinger scored a 6,088 to 3,773 triumph in the 114th District race, which translates to about 62 percent of the overall turnout. The win is even larger than his 4,049 to 3,052 victory two years ago over Democrat Alceo Lucarelli.
Betkoski Trounces McConologue In 105th Landslide
SEYMOUR – State Rep. John W. Betkoski III, a Beacon Falls Democrat, rolled up an overwhelming 1,698-vote majority Tuesday to score a decisive victory over Republican challenger Lucy M. McConologue in the 105th District.
Betkoski garnered 5,359 votes in the three-town district of Ansonia, Beacon Falls and Seymour, while Mrs. McConologue received 3,661 votes.
You Don’t Win Alone, Belden Says of His 7th
SHELTON – Richard O. Belden easily won re-election to the state House of Representatives, taking his seventh term by a 6,396 vote plurality.
Belden is a Republican of the 113th District. He was first elected to the House in 1975. Since then, he has served as Assistant Minority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader and Deputy Speaker of the House.
His opponent, William Nystrom, received only 2,136 votes. Belden got 8,532
Thursday, Nov. 10, 1988
Aldermen Ok Two New City Boards
ANSONIA – The Board of Aldermen approved the formation of two new city boards Wednesday at City Hall.
As soon as members are appointed by Mayor Thomas P. Clifford III, the city will have a Board of Building Appeals and a Commission on Elderly Services.
The building panel will offer residents or developers an opportunity to appeal decisions made by the building inspector.
The new Commission on the Elderly will oversee all city services to senior citizens.
Junior Midget Raiders Romp
DERBY – Derby’s Junior Midget Red Raiders ended their 1988 Southern Connecticut Pop Warner Football League season on a winning note. They came out strong and whipped Prospect 30-0.
Dominating the offense were Chris Marshall, Steve Atocha and Mike Potkay. They combined for 252 yards on the ground. Quarterbacks Joe Cabral and Randy Persico connected on four of eight passes for 27 yards.
Seymour Grange To Donate Food
SEYMOUR – Seymour Grange will contribute food baskets to the Seymour-Oxford Food Bank for Thanksgiving and Christmas to be distributed to needy families. The food bank is sponsored by the Seymour-Oxford Clergy Association.
Bottle Thrown At Car
SHELTON – A wine bottle was thrown at a car being driven on River Road Monday, police said. It reportedly went through the driver’s window and struck the driver in the head, causing a lump and a bruise. Police said the man refused medical treatment.
Friday, Nov. 11, 1988
Things Are Looking Up Downtown
ANSONIA – While many cities struggle to save their downtown areas from decay and degradation, Ansonia’s Main Street is in the midst of an economic renaissance.
In the past six months alone, plans for a host of major projects on the city’s main drag have been unveiled. And city officials are hoping to generate even more proposals soon with the sale of the Palmer building and, eventually, the Ansonia Opera House.
“Up and down Main Street, the changes over the last year or so have been incredible,” said Mayor Thomas P. Clifford III. “We’ve got the three-story office building going up across from the Ansonia Technology Park and that should be finished soon. In addition, the owners of the mall are planning a major expansion and renovation project which will attract new business and really spruce up the area.”
Aldermen Name Street For Cotter
DERBY – The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Thursday to name a city street after Edward J. Cotter Jr., who for many years served the city in many positions in the Fire Department, including fire commissioner.
Cotter, founder of the Storm Engine Company Ambulance Corps, is an Evening Sentinel reporter and its chief photographer. He lives in Derby and has worked for the Sentinel for 50 years.
The board voted to rename Louise Street to Cotter Court. The street if off David Humphreys Road.
Firefighters Planning Dance
SEYMOUR – Citizens Engine Company and Great Hill Hose Company will hold a second annual combined ball Saturday in Rev. Martin T. Keane Hall of the Church of the Good Shepherd, 135 Mountain Rd.
A social hour will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. There will be dancing to 1 a.m. Reservations are $20 a couple. Those planning to attend should provide their own beverages.
Aid Is Sought For Fire Victims
SHELTON – On Oct. 21, a fire destroyed the home of the Takacs family of Ojibwa Trail , which includes two children ages one and a half and five.
All of their personal belongings were lost in the blaze.
Neighbors of the family will hold a collection for boys’ clothing at the Pine Rock Park firehouse. Sizes needed are three/four and six/eight.
Saturday, Nov. 12, 1988
City Planning Next Budget
ANSONIA – Hoping this year’s process goes a little more smoothly than last year, city officials are already hard at work developing a budget for the 1988-89 fiscal year.
The aldermanic finance committee has been conducting informal workshops with a number of city department heads and is expected to have a preliminary budget developed by Nov. 20.
Computer Stolen
SEYMOUR – The Detective Division is investigating a burglary at a Derby Avenue house that was reported Friday. A personal computer valued at $500 and jewelry valued at $2,200 was taken in the break, police said.
Shelton Gets Ready For Yule
SHELTON – Local merchants are gearing up for this year’s Christmas celebration with a host of attractions designed to draw people to the downtown area.
Among the plans for the yuletide is a giant Christmas tree that will be erected at Derby Savings Bank at the corner of White Street and Howe Avenue.
“Jones Tree Farm is donating the tree and it will be shipped in from Nova Scotia,” said Thad Duni, president of the Shelton Commerce and Industry Association. “We had to get one from that far away because they don’t grow them that big around here. It should be about 15 feet tall but we’re hoping it will be taller.”
Sunday, Nov. 13, 1988
The Evening Sentinel didn’t publish on Sundays
Monday, Nov. 14, 1988
Arson Suspected As Fire Destroys Apartment House
ANSONIA – State and Ansonia fire inspectors suspect arson as the cause of a spectacular fire that raged out of control in an apartment complex at 115 South Cliff St. early Saturday night for more than 30 minutes.
It was finally controlled by Ansonia firefighters, with an assist from other Valley companies.
Twenty persons were made homeless by the blaze that threatened other nearby houses before it was controlled.
Heat from the blaze was so intense that firefighters had to be hosed down to keep them from suffering severe burns.
Red Raiders’ Comeback Tumbles North Haven
DERBY – Derby kept its Housatonic Legue grid title hopes alive Saturday with a 28-21 comeback victory over North Haven’s Indians at North Haven.
It was a comeback both from last week’s stunning 26-0 loss to Seymour and from a 14-0 deficit in the contest with the Indians.
Coach Charlie DiCenso’s Red Raiders bounced back late in the first half to garner their seventh win in the league, keeping them only one game behind the Shelton Gaels, 8-0 in Housy play.
Wildcats Pound Greyhounds
SEYMOUR – Seymour took another big step towards a date with No. 1 Stratford in the CIAC State Class SS championship game as Joel Mastro rushed for 133 yards in leading the Wildcats to a smashing 20-6 non-league victory over Naugatuck, eliminating the Greyhounds from post-season play.
Both defenses were superb in the first quarters as punts were flying left and right Saturday morning at Veterans Field.
Coach Sponheimer praised his defense saying “Paul Konnik did an outstanding job at defensive tackle. Bryan Gras and Scott Elliot did an outstanding job containing at the ends. Our linebacking core of Chris Preneta, Moroni Burchell, Todd Elliot and Joel Mastro did a great job.”
Vandalism Reported
SHELTON – Vandals damaged a mirror on the driver’s side of a car parked on Armstrong Road Saturday. There was no estimate on damage. A mailbox was also damaged on Newcastle Drive Saturday. Damage was estimated at under $50.