Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we go back to 1982, when E.T. asked to “phone home,” Martina Navratilova defeated Chris Evert at Wimbledon, and the Human League had hit song, “Don’t You Want Me.”
Here is what was happening in our Valley!
Tuesday, July 13, 1982
Vandalism Rises In Ansonia
ANSONIA – Robbery, assault and vandalism incidents were up in June, as compared to one year ago.
Police reported two robbery incidents, compared to last year’s zero and five first or second-degree assault crimes, compared to last year’s zero. The total number of complaints received by the department was up with 1,418 versus 1,353 in June, 1981.
Moscato Rules Out Political Run
DERBY – Dispelling rumors that he may run for state representative in the 104th district, the President of the Board of Aldermen, Leo P. Moscato, announced today he is “definitely not.”
“My political ambition at this time is to stay in the city of Derby,” Moscato said.
He said his decision came after sitting down with “influential political figures” to discuss his bid on the democratic ticket.
“At present my concern is for the people who elected me to the Board of Aldermen,” Moscato said.
Town Deficit Hits $426,330
SEYMOUR – “I knew the cupboard was bare, but I didn’t know they had taken the cupboard, too.”
First Selectman Francis H. Conroy, Jr. made that comment in reacting to an auditor’s report Monday placing the town’s deficit at $426,330 as of Nov. 30.
The deficit was about $100,000 more than had initially been projected by Conroy when he took office in November.
Conroy blasted the previous Republican administration headed by former First Selectman Daniel R. Brandon for “gross fiscal mismanagement” and failing to properly manage town spending.
$1.2 Million Building To House Roberk Division In Shelton
SHELTON – Construction on a $1.2 million office building on Controls Drive will begin tomorrow after a ground-breaking ceremony at 10 a.m.
According to Lincoln Schoenberger, spokesman for S. Brian Simons, owner of the five-acre site off Long Hill Crossroads, the new office building will total 22,000-square-feet and will be completed by the beginning of January.
Upon completion, Roberk, Division of Park Hannifin Corp., currently located on Long Hill Crossroads, will move its divisional headquarters to a 15,000-square foot section of the building.
Wednesday, July 14, 1982
Biker Hits Ansonia On 1,600-Mile Jaunt
ANSONIA – Next time you wheeze or sweat your way through a five-mile bike ride, consider Brian Williams of Grand Rapids, Mich.
Williams has pedaled his 12-speed Super Schwinn Le Tour 1,600 miles across the country since June 2. He happened to cycle into the Ansonia YMCA yesterday afternoon for a swim, a shower and a bed to sleep.
The trip is something the 21-year-old has dreamed of since he was 14.
“I’ll probably never be able to afford taking a summer off again,” he said.
Luncheonette Opens In Derby
DERBY – Claiming to possess the “best chili” in the Valley, Johnny’s Luncheonette made its debut on Derby’s food scene Tuesday.
Owner John M. Kopec opened the restaurant at 143 Main St., after six weeks of renovation and preparations, including a $7,500 investment.
John cites the homemade cooking of his wife, whose specialty is chili, as the unique aspect of the shop.
“I like to cook,” Karen Kopec said. “There’s no taste like homemade.”
Group Urges Action On Landfill ‘Problems’
SHELTON – The mayor and members of the Municipal Resource Recovery Authority are being presented with a list of suggestions to clear up problems at the Shelton landfill site by members of the Pine Rock Civic League.
In a letter drafted at a Sunday afternoon meeting, members of the league offered seven specific recommendations to Mayor Eugene M. Hope, Jr. and members of the MRRA.
The letter, signed by Sue Genest, secretary of the league, called upon city officials (in part) to stop the dumping of metal hydroxide sludge at the landfill site, take action to assure that the landfill operators comply with DEEP standards for disposal of waste, take bottom water and sediment samples from two ponds at the landfill site and the Housatonic River and force construction of a screening fence.
Thursday, July 15, 1982
City To Hold Sidewalk Sale
ANSONIA – The Ansonia Business Association will sponsor its annual sidewalk sale from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday on Main Street.
At 8 p.m., the 1981 Champion Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corp. will perform on the steps of the Ansonia Post Office. The stores will donate a portion of their proceeds from the sale from 5 to 8 p.m. to the Hurricanes.
Plants Stolen
DERBY – A Caroline Street resident reported to police that 35 tomato and pepper plants were stolen from the backyard of the residence. Police said a trail led from the backyard to the street where a car may have been parked. The value of the plants was estimated at $65.
Police Ratify Contract
SEYMOUR – Seymour police will receive a pay hike and other benefits under a 27-months contract ratified by a vote of 12-6 Wednesday by Police Local 564, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO.
Patrolman John Uszakiewicz, union president, declined to reveal the amount of the increase but termed it “the best we could expect under the present financial problems facing the town.”
According to a source, however, the pay hike provided for in the settlement would be about eight percent in the first year, with part of the hike retroactive to April 1 and the balance coming on Oct. 1.
Hope Assailed By Democrats
SHELTON – About 30 members of the Democratic Town Committee listened as chairman Michael Pacowta called the mayor “selfish and greedy for power.”
He was referring to the decision made by Mayor Eugene M. Hope, Jr. to run for state comptroller, as well as continuing to serve the city as mayor.
“Hope has the audacity to say he will keep both jobs,” Pacowta said. “Hasn’t he ever heard of conflict of interest?”
Friday, July 16, 1982
School Administrators Get Salary Increase
ANSONIA – School administrators will receive a nine percent salary increase each year over the next three years, according to a recent agreement between the school board and the Ansonia Administrators Organization.
The contract addendum also provided for an early retirement incentive plan, which was unanimously approved by the Board of Education at its June 2 meeting.
The Board of Aldermen have 30 days to respond to the negotiation. If there is no response, the addendum is automatically approved.
Derby May Convert School Into Housing
DERBY – A crunch in housing for the elderly has prompted city officials to consider the conversion of the old Franklin School into apartments.
The Economic Development Commission has named the project as one of its major goals in applying for a Small Cities grant.
“We have 139 elderly housing units in the city,” said Lawrence DeTullio, development director, “but we have over 150 people on the waiting list.”
Clark Street To Become One-Way
DERBY – Two-way seems to the wrong way for Clark Street residents.
The Board of Aldermen, in a recent meeting, approved a motion to change Clark Street into a one-way street.
The intersection of Clark and Route 115 was rated 141 on the Department of Transportation’s 1977-79 statewide high hazard accident location list.
The state has offered, at no cost to Derby, to correct problems with the intersection, but required that the road be made one-way first.
Town Offers Mime Show For Children
SEYMOUR – Sasek Johnne of Middlefield will bring the world of mime to Seymour High School auditorium at 10 a.m. Monday when he will be present for a performance for children in the Recreation Commission’s summer program.
Mime is an art form in which stories are told and objects are created without words or props. Instead, gesture, facial expression and body position are used to focus the viewer’s eyes, ears and mind on the artist’s creation.
Johnne has been working since 1978 as a performer and teacher of mime.
Car Found
SHELTON – A car stolen in March of 1981 was recovered Wednesday after being found at the bottom of a pond.
The car, which was registered to David Wineberg, of Oxford, at the time of the theft, was discovered by two young boys swimming in the pond off Walnut Tree Hill Road.
Saturday, July 17, 1982
Flood Work Nearing End
ANSONIA – Repair work on Beaver Brook is due to be completed by Wednesday, according to the inspector for the U.S. Soil Conservation Service.
The inspector said that the completion date, originally set for today, was extended for one day because of rain and two additional days of work.
Derby Flood Aid Cut to $130,000
DERBY – The city has received confirmation of about $130,000 in flood damage aid, it was learned yesterday.
The aid is $2,370,000 less than original estimates and $70,000 less than estimates made early last week.
Richard Korolyshun, commissioner of Public Works, said the differences are due to the ineligibility of many projects that were applied for.
School Board Is Cleared On Grievance
SEYMOUR – An arbitrator has ruled that the Board of Education did not violate a contract with the Seymour Education Association when it increased teaching time of some Seymour Middle School teachers.
The SEA had contended that the school board violated a contract when it decided to change the school day at the middle school last September to require more teaching time for some teachers in lieu of supervising study halls.
Computer Cuts Costs
SHELTON – A new computer recently installed in city hall will save the taxpayers about $75,000 a year, according to Finance Director Louis M. Marusic.
The computer, which will begin to be used by the tax collector’s office sometime before July 30, will pay for itself within two and one half years.
Eight city departments will initially get use of computer terminals, although as many as 25 terminals could be in use in five years, Marusic said.
The city currently shares a computer with the high school and the Board of Education.