“We’re gonna need a bigger boat!” This week we take a look back at 1975, the year a man-eating, great white shark terrorized a small New England town in the blockbuster flick, “Jaws,” grossing more than $495 million worldwide.
The Sex Pistols performed their first gig at St. Martin’s School of Art in London, launching the beginning of the punk rock movement in the UK. The “Halloween Massacre” occurred, with a major shake-up in former President Gerald Ford’s administration, including the firing of Henry Kissinger as National Security Adviser.
“Good Morning America” debuted on ABC.
Here’s what was happening in our Valley!
Monday, Nov. 3, 1975
20 Workers Laid Off At Farrel
ANSONIA – About 20 workers at the Farrel Co. were laid off Friday, and by mid-November, the number will increase to about 50, a company official said today.
Neil D. Morrison, general manager, said that about 20 employees were laid off Friday because of fewer orders. He said higher prices had lessened the company’s ability to compete. He attributed higher costs to the state’s enactment last June of “regressive legislation” which increased sales tax and applied the taxes to new areas.
Blackout In Derby
DERBY – Most of the west side of Derby had a blackout that lasted more than an hour Sunday.
The power went off shortly after 9 a.m. Derby Police Department operations were hampered by the power failure.
Not only did the power go off, stopping radio communications, but the telephone service was off as well. The emergency generator, which is supposed to go on automatically when the power goes off, failed to operate.
United Illuminating Co. said that the blackout was caused by faulty switching knocking out a sub-station.
Police Picket In Seymour
SEYMOUR – Police Union Local 564, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, began picketing Town Hall today after a 21-hour marathon negotiating session over the weekend failed to result in a contract agreement.
Patrolman James Hayes, union president and chairman of its negotiating committee, said the membership voted unanimously yesterday to begin picketing today to show their displeasure over stalled contract negotiations.
Police have been working without a contract since April 1.
Walkout Continues In Shelton
SHELTON – Weekend negotiating efforts proved fruitless today as the city’s 343 regular teachers resumed their strike after a three-day break in defiance of a back-to-work order by Waterbury Superior Court.
Pickets were posted this morning outside all 11 city schools, which opened again for half-day sessions.
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1975
Summer Back In Valley
VALLEY – Another warm day was expected in the Valley again today after temperatures hit 71 degrees yesterday, equaling the record for a Nov. 3.
The National Weather Service said yesterday’s high reading tied the reading set in 1936
Parties Planned In Ansonia
ANSONIA – Win or lose, Republicans and Democrats here both plan to celebrate after the polls close tonight. The public has been invited.
Republicans will celebrate at Liberty Hall on May Street. Democrats will celebrate at party headquarters on Main Street.
Proposed Factory Delayed In Derby
DERBY – Construction of a $6 million pasta factory has been postponed because of delays that have developed in purchasing the land on Division Street.
The land that city officials hoped would be the site of the proposed factory is unavailable, according to a statement issued by John Santangelo yesterday.
At a meeting Friday, the principals of the corporation that plan to build the factory were told that problems with the title for the 11 acres had developed.
Shoe Store Opens In Oxford Center
OXFORD – Albert and Frances Letsch of Oakwood Drive have opened the Country Shoe Outlet in Little River Shopping Center.
Shoes are available for the family at discount prices. The store carries all sizes, including wide widths. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.to 6 p.m. Saturday.
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1975
800 Call Sentinel For Election News
ANSONIA – An estimated 600 phone calls were made last night to The Evening Sentinel office in Ansonia. The Shelton office received about 200 phone calls.
Residents from Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, Seymour and Oxford called from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. seeking election returns.
Big Victory In Derby
DERBY – The Democratic Party, led by its standard-bearer, Mayor Eugene D. Micci, won a sweeping victory in yesterday’s election.
Micci defeated his Republican opponent, Mrs. Mary V. Crowley, by 2,052 votes.
Micci received 3,405 votes and Mrs. Crowley, 1,353.
Democrats won the maximum possible number of offices and positions on boards.
Democrats Win Seymour
SEYMOUR – First Selectman Anna L. LoPresti, a retired elementary school principal who became the first woman to head the town’s government two years ago, was returned to office in yesterday’s election by almost a 1,300-vote plurality, as Democrats scored a triumph at the polls.
Faced with two opponents, Republican candidate Andrew C. Petruny and Joseph V. Labacz, an independent, Miss LoPresti registered an even higher majority than she did in 1973, as she received 2,562 votes.
Petruny received 1,275 votes, while Labacz made a strong showing with 1,002 votes.
The Democrats captured all the offices expect those reserved by law for the minority party.
Voters Reject Charter Changes
SEYMOUR – Seymour voters turned down a major revision of the town’s four-year-old charter by a vote of more than 2 to 1 in yesterday’s biennial election.
A total of 1,433 votes were cast against adoption of the charter proposed by the Charter Revision Commission, while only 802 votes approved the documents.
The charter, which was the result of eight months of work by the Charter Revision Commission, would have replaced the Board of Selectmen/first selectman form of government currently in effect in Seymour with a town council/mayor system.
Fire Call In Shelton
SHELTON – While a tense crowd waited for the results at Democratic headquarters, the portable fire radio of a reporter suddenly crackled “fire near the home of Mayor Kelley on Mill Street.”
The mayor grabbed a phone and called his home and was quickly reassured by his wife, Mary, that everything was alright.
Thursday, Nov. 6, 1975
Ansonia GOP Promises Active Opposition Role
ANSONIA – Democrats were still chalking up their election victories Tuesday night while Republicans grew increasingly dismayed over what would happen to the two-party system in the next several years.
“It’s all over,” a support at Republican headquarters was heard to say.
By then, Democratic Mayor Michael J. Adanti had been swept into his second term after defeating Republican Stanely A. Twerian and 13 of 15 Democratic aldermanic candidates had toppled Republican foes.
3 Juveniles Booked
DERBY – Police apprehended three juveniles yesterday in an alleged theft of a wristwatch, valued at $100, from Mingrone’s Jewelry store on Main Street.
The youngsters went into the store in an attempt to sell candy, police said. While in the store, one of the youngsters allegedly picked up the watch. When they had left, the proprietor noticed the watch missing. He was able to give police a description of the youngsters and they were apprehended.
Fire Equipment Stolen, Damaged In Derby
DERBY – Police are investigating the theft of a $550 self-contained breathing apparatus machine from the Paugaussett Hook and Ladder Company aerial ladder truck yesterday.
The truck is being kept at Joe’s Service Station on New Haven Avenue while the new firehouse is being constructed.
Police said a car containing three young men stopped at the station and asked permission to use the rest room. While one man went into the rest room, another went to the truck and removed the breathing mask.
Police said the thieves apparently wanted the rubber face mask for glue sniffing or some other kind of drug-related activity.
Recount In Shelton
SHELTON – A recount of the 1,283 vote for Fourth Ward Aldermen between Democrat incumbent Joseph J. Bennick and Republican challenger Myron Garret will be held at 4 p.m. today at City Hall annex. A special runoff election for the aldermanic seat would be scheduled if the recount is upheld.
Friday, Nov. 7, 1975
4 In Ansonia Get Write-In Votes
ANSONIA – Four names were submitted as write-in candidates for the Board of Education in Tuesday’s election.
Receiving one vote each were Howard Davidson, Robert F. Eaton and Joseph S. Cardella. Receiving two votes were Mrs. Florence Pedbereznak.
Harvest Dance
DERBY – The Lou Bruno quintet will provide the music for the St. Jude Catholic Men’s Club Thanksgiving harvest dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Nov. 22 at the parish hall. Committeeman Alfred Mongillo said a highlight would be the awarding of numerous prizes.
Police Union To Continue Picketing
SEYMOUR – Police Union Local 564, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, will continue picketing Town Hall from 10 a.m. to noon tomorrow, to indicate their displeasure with a stalemate in contract negotiations with the town.
Policeman have been working here without a contract since April 1. As yet, they have been unable to come to an agreement with the Board of Police Commissioners on a new contract.
Miss LoPresti To Take Oath Nov. 17
SEYMOUR – First Selectman Anna L. LoPresti, who was re-elected to a second term as chief executive of Seymour in Tuesday’s Democratic sweep, will be administered the oath of office by Secretary of the State Gloria Schaffer in a ceremony at 10 a.m. Nov. 17 in the council room at Town Hall.
Judge Jails, Fines Leaders Of Strike
SHELTON – City teachers returned to work today after a Waterbury Superior Court ruling that jailed nine leaders of the Shelton Education Association, including the president, Miss Sharon Moody.
The city’s 11 schools were open for a full day for the first time since the teacher strike began Oct. 28.
Attendance, which dropped to less than 15 percent of the normal level yesterday, was still below par today, but school officials expect that it will return to normal Monday.