This week, we take a look back at 1992, which according to what the cool kids were saying was “all that” and “da bomb!”
A historic referendum was held where white South African voters overwhelmingly supported ending the apartheid system. With 68.7% voting ‘Yes’, this marked a critical turning point in South Africa’s journey towards racial equality and democratic transformation under President F.W. de Klerk’s leadership.
These were the top 5 songs topping the US music charts this week:
“Save The Best For Last” – Vanessa Williams
“To Be With You” – Mr. Big
“Tears In Heaven” – Eric Clapton
“Remember The Time” – Michael Jackson
“I’m Too Sexy” – Right Said Fred
Singer Donna Summer, famous for belting out tunes like “Hot Stuff,” “She Works Hard For the Money” and “Bad Girls,” receives a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.
The Duke and Duchess of York announce their separation.
Billy Ray Cyrus’ song “Achy Breaky Heart” brought cowboy line dancing to the mainstream. The influence could be felt in various music and dance shows held during 1992 all over the country.
Space Shuttle Atlantis takes off from Cape Canaveral carrying instruments designed to study global warming.
The Chicago Bulls win the 1992 NBA Finals. Coached by Phil Jackson, the Chicago Bulls defeated the Portland Trail Blazers by 4 to 2 and won the NBA Finals. This also made Michael Jordan the most valuable player for the second time consecutively.
Here’s what Americans were paying for stuff in 1992:
Average price for a new house was $144,100
A gallon of regular gas cost $1.13
A first-class stamp cost $0.29
A dozen eggs cost $0.93 (and that’s no yolk, compared to today’s average cost of $4.95 per dozen)
Here is what was happening in our Valley, as stolen from the microfilm edition of The Evening Sentinel! Booyah!
Tuesday, March 17, 1992
Commissioners Deny Request For Foot Patrol
ANSONIA – The Board of Police Commissioners has denied the Ansonia Downtown Business Association’s request for foot patrols.
The association president said he was unhappy with the decision but would wait until a March 24 meeting of the association to respond.
“Even when the police department had the manpower, we didn’t have the foot patrols,” Nicholas Donofrio, president, said. “We needed it then just as much as we need it now.”
Sabulis said Main Street is part of the “East Patrol” and is normally covered by a police officer in a patrol vehicle.
The business group made the request to the commissioners after a Main Street business, Valley Variety, was burglarized twice in a week.
Fashion Show
DERBY – The Griffin Hospital Auxiliary’s annual Fashion Show will take place April 5 at 11 a.m. in the Ramada Hotel, Shelton.
A brunch will be offered this year. Fashions will be provided by JcPenney of Trumbull and Mary Kay Cosmetics will be used for makeup on the models.
7th Grader Spells ‘Bosky’ To Win Seymour Bee
SEYMOUR – It took just 72 very difficult words to decide the 1992 Seymour Spelling Bee championship Monday at the Seymour Middle School auditorium.
Louis DiPietro, a seventh grade student at Seymour Middle School, battled head to head with Chatfield School sixth grader Brandi D’Amico before things went awry for Brandi, paving the way for Louis to take the title.
After Brandi replaced the “w” in awry with a “u,” Louis spelled that word correctly plus the next word, ‘bosky’ to claim the 1992 championship.
Bosky is the adjective meaning “covered with trees of shrubs.”
Wednesday, March 18, 1992
Teens Nabbed
ANSONIA – A foot chase at Olson Drive Monday resulted in the apprehension of two teens – one wanted on an outstanding warrant, and one wanted as a missing juvenile.
Patrolmen John Welch and Kevin Hale were recovering a stolen vehicle at the Riverside housing complex and when they approached the 16-year-old from Olson Drive, who they recognized as a fugitive, the teen fled. He was captured on the third floor of a building.
Police said the teen’s 13-year-old girlfriend, who had been reported missing, was referred to juvenile authorities for interfering with a police officer and breach of peace.
Radios Stolen
DERBY – Two new cars at Dworkin Chevrolet on Seymour Avenue were broken into and radios were stolen from each.
Garofalo Seeks Dems’ Support
DERBY – Alderman Marc Garofalo asked the Democratic Town Committee to consider supporting him in case he decides to run for the 17th District state senatorial seat later this year.
Garofalo made the request during the town committee’s meeting Monday at Hotchkiss Hose Fire Company.
He said that such a run could occur if state Sen. Gary Hale, 17th District Democrat, decides not to seek re-election.
“Marc has my encouragement to proceed,” said William Comboni, who was elected town committee chairman earlier in the evening.
“I would also give him all the help I could,” added Mayor Gino S. DiMauro, Jr. “He would make a good representative in Hartford.”
Board Oks More Funds For Library
SEYMOUR – The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Tuesday at Town Hall to approve an increase of $460,000 to $810,000 in the town’s share of the proposed $1.4 million expansion of the Seymour Public Library.
The amended resolution authorizing officials to borrow funds for the project will be forwarded to the Board of Finance. If that board gives an OK, townspeople will be asked to give their stamp of approval at a special town meeting this spring.
Voters at the annual town meeting last year approved an appropriation of $350,000 for a 6,500-squar-foot addition to the library to match a construction grant awarded by the Connecticut State Library. An additional $235,000 in private grants for the library addition was received this year from the Katharine Matthis Foundation and the New Haven Foundation.
Thursday, March 19, 1992
Talks Open
ANSONIA – The personnel committee of the Board of Education will begin contract negotiations with the Ansonia Federation of Teachers Monday.
Superintendent of Schools Ruth Feinberg notified Town & City Clerk Florence Hoinski of the 7 p.m. meeting at the Board of Education offices on 42 Grove St.
“It is anticipated that the committee will go into executive session soon after the call of the meeting,” Feinberg wrote.
Attempted Break
DERBY – Police are investigating an attempted break at Over-The-Hill Tavern on Hawkins Street. An attempt was made to force the front door.
Testimonial
DERBY – Barbara Williams, president of the American Legion Auxiliary of Derby, will be honored at a testimonial dinner March 21 at Rapp’s Paradise Inn, Ansonia.
A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m.
Guests include William Pomfret, department commander; Betty Jane Berstrom, department president; Richard Anderson, national executive committeeman; Kathy Riordan, national executive committeewoman and Joan C. Graham, national historian.
Friday, March 20, 1992
Behrle Resigns After 20 Years
ANSONIA – Horace Behrle resigned Wednesday after 20 years as a commissioner of the Ansonia Housing Authority.
The 56-year-old commissioner said he was going to miss the authority, but he wanted time to travel and to spend with his family. The commissioner’s job is an unpaid one. There are five members of the authority.
“We’ve accomplished a lot,” Behrle said. “But there were things I wish I could have done. We need more senior housing, and we need a meal program for the kids. A lot of kids are going to school on empty stomachs. It’s a sad situation. We were working with the Ansonia Community Action Agency to try to obtain funding, but we were never able to get it.”
Behrle’s tenure was remembered by board chairman Vincent Malerba Jr. as one marked by dedication and hard work.
“For many years he has given his time and hard work unselfishly and undauntingly to elevate the level of living standards of the tenants and people served by the Ansonia Housing Authority,” Malerba said.
Storms Get $132,671 For Rescue Truck
DERBY – The Storm Ambulance Corps was awarded a $132,671 grant by the New Haven Foundation Thursday for the purchase of a rescue truck.
The vehicle will feature equipment capable of refilling airpacks for firefighters. It also will carry a system for generating electrical power, and foam and suits for use in chemical spills.
A report after an inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration last year said the corps’ ability to meet a chemical emergency would have to be updated.
Vote Opens Door For Specialty Wire Sale
SEYMOUR – Owners of Seymour Specialty Wire Co., represented by Local 1827, United Auto Workers, have ratified a three-year contract, a prerequisite for the hoped-for sale of the financially-battered company.
Lawrence Motel, union president, said the pact was approved Wednesday by a majority of the 84 hourly factory workers represented by the union.
Jerry Harrington, president and chief executive officer of Seymour Specialty, said the sale to Premier Commercial Services, Inc. of White Plains, NY, was contingent on a contract ratification.
With the approval now on the books, negotiations will continue with an eye to a mid-April change of ownership.
Saturday, March 21, 1992
NAACP President Submits Annual Report
ANSONIA – The head of the NAACP submitted his 1991 annual report Tuesday and said the two most important issues facing the group was the need for a new school on the west side and affordable housing.
John W. Gattison Jr., president of the Ansonia branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said at a recent meeting that the group needs to be concerned that the Valley and the city are losing good people because of the lack of affordable housing.
Gattison said although he was aware of the financial plight of the city, he believed it important to remind people that the west side of the city was in need of a new school.
“Peck School is too old,” he said. “It has served its purpose. “Adequate education for our children should make the elementary school a priority.”
Gas Leak
DERBY – Firefighters responded to a gas leak on Caroline Street Sunday afternoon.
Fire Chief Charles M. Stankye III said that an occupant of an apartment building took an old gas light fixture apart and when the gas started to leak he fled the apartment.
TEAM To Give Free Food
DERBY – TEAM, Inc. of Derby, in conjunction with the State Department of Human Resources and city officials, will distribute free butter, cornmeal and peanut butter to low-income families living the Valley and Milford on Tuesday.
Meholiks Celebrate Their 50th
SEYMOUR – Ann and Stanley Meholik of Parkman, Maine, formerly of Bank Street in Seymour, celebrated the 50th anniversary of their wedding Feb. 14.
Bank Forecloses
SEYMOUR – Several pieces of property owned by developed Arnold Peck of Orange were the subject of a foreclosure auction filed by New England Savings Bank in Milford Superior Court.
The suit claims Peck failed to make payments on a $1 million mortgage on the property which includes lots on High Ridge, Spruce Brook and Great Meadow roads. The entire balance is due on the $1 million note, according to the suit.
Seymour also has placed liens on the property for back taxes totaling more than $5,000, the suit claims.