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This week, join us for a look back at 1972 when Richard Nixon was President and “The Godfather” ruled the box office. It’s an offer you can’t refuse!
Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, the first giant pandas in the United States, arrived at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., as a gift from the People’s Republic of China.
The Grateful Dead played their first paying concert in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart was “A Horse With No Name” by America.
In living rooms across America, people were watching popular shows like “Hawaii Five‑O,” “Hee Haw,” and ‘The Rookies.”
Here is what was happening in our Valley, as stolen from the microfilm edition of The Evening Sentinel!
Ex-Official Sues To Block Refuse Contract
Friday, April 14, 1972
ANSONIA – A former superintendent of public works today brought suit against the city, asking that it be prevented from awarding a contract for the private collection of residential refuse.
He is William J. Dixon, who served in the post under a former Democratic administration and is a member of the Democratic Town Committee.
Dixon, in a suit filed in New Haven Superior Court, asked that a temporary injunction be implemented against the city. Dixon, in the suit, charged the city with failing to handle the bids in accordance with state law. City officials today denied the allegations.
Water Line Approved
DERBY – The Board of Aldermen has approved easement across the southerly end of the municipal parking lot on lower Caroline Street to the Ansonia-Derby Water Co.
The company intends to construct a new water line from Caroline to Factory Street, “to supply better water,” Fred Elliot of the water company said.
Apartment Zoning Bid Rejected In Seymour
SEYMOUR – The Board of Zoning Appeals at a special meeting last night denied by a vote of 3 to 1 an application from Joseph Nesteriak of Monroe and Thomas P. Draicchio of Derby for a special permit to build a 16-unit apartment project on French and Skokorat streets.
The board claimed the project would have a detrimental effect on traffic, the drainage system, the character of the neighborhood and on public health. It also clashed with the comprehensive town plan, the board said.
Saturday, April 15, 1972
Women’s Guild To Show Styles
ANSONIA – The Women’s Guild of St. Joseph’s Church will present a fashion show “Hollywood Memories,” at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the school auditorium.
Gowns and dresses worn in the movies of the 1930s will be shown. A social will follow.
Sewer Complaint
DERBY – At a recent meeting of the Derby Board of Aldermen, John Tedesco complained about a clogged sewer line on his property on Caroline Street, for which he blamed the city.
He said he had paid out considerable money over the past 10 years to find the source of trouble on his property, but did not intend to spend another cent.
“I will get a lawyer from Philadelphia to beat you,” he said, pointing his finger at Alderman Edward J. Cecarelli.
Cecarelli, taken aback, flung his arms out and asked, “Why me?”
The board instructed City Engineer Theodore Witek to investigate the complaint.
Cheshire Trounces Seymour
SEYMOUR – Cheshire spoiled the baseball coaching debut of Seymour’s Bob Love here yesterday afternoon at French Memorial Field.
Behind the four-hit shutout pitching of Mike Casey, the Rams whipped the Wildcats 9 – 0 in a season-opening Housatonic League game. Casey struck out nine and walked one.
Sunday, April 16, 1972
The Evening Sentinel didn’t publish on Sunday.
Monday, April 17, 1972
Valley K Of C Plans Breakfast
ANSONIA – The Valley Council of Knights of Columbus will meet at 8 p.m. today at the Main Street council rooms.
Stanley Teverion will report on the Communion breakfast to be held at St. Anthony’s Church hall after Communion in the church. Grand Knight William Biggs will preside at the meeting.
Hooter Gone
DERBY – The Civil Defense hooter atop the cupola on the old City Hall building was removed Saturday by Superintendent of Fire Alarms Clarence Douglass, assisted by Bernard H. Williamson and Danny DeGennaro. Franklin Crowley said he would store the hooter until it is determined where it will be placed.
Derby High To Present Music Festival
DERBY – The annual spring festival of music will be presented at the Derby High School auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Friday by the school’s music department.
“Spring of ‘72” is the title of this year’s program which will be the 12th annual presentation under the direction of Ralph T. Chiarella and Donald F. DeFala.
A fashion show will be presented during intermission.
Restaurant Burglarized In Seymour
SEYMOUR – Police are investigating a burglary over the weekend at Rena’s Drive-In on South Main Street. Reportedly, nothing of value was taken.
According to police, neighbors heard noises at the establishment about 2 a.m. yesterday. Entrance was gained by breaking the glass in the front door.
The intruders tried to open a cash register which was empty. Failing this they left, taking three packs of cigarettes.
Tuesday, April 18, 1972
AHS Favored At Nolan Field
ANSONIA – The Committee of 100 met last night and heard two possible new school building proposals.
Although no vote was taken, consensus was in favor of a new high school at Nolan Field.
The other possibility, which received little support, was a new Willis School plus an addition to the old high school.
The School Building Commission and the Board of Education will meet next week to voice their opinions on the building program.
Niels I. Poulsen Dies At 76, Retired General
ANSONIA –Brig. Gen. Niels I. Poulsen, U.S. Army (Ret.), 76, an Ansonia native who saw service in both world wars and in Korea, died last night at the Veterans Administration Hospital in New York City after a lengthy illness.
Poulsen, who rose through the ranks of the Army, became one of four Valley military men to achieve the rank of general.
He lived in Ansonia for most of his life and left three years ago to live in New York. Poulsen owned the Niels I. Poulsen Insurance and Real Estate Agency on Main Street in Ansonia.
50 Protest Apartments In Derby
DERBY – Fifty residents on New Haven Avenue protested a zone change which would allow the building of 21 one-bedroom units in a four-story apartment building on the Presutto property on New Haven Avenue.
They registered their opposition at last night’s public hearing conducted by the Board of Aldermen sitting at the Zoning Commission in City Hall.
Mrs. Charles Presutto has applied to the commission for a change from residential 5 to a multiple residence zone.
Seymour Library Says Services May Be Cut
SEYMOUR – Unless plans are made for an addition to the library this year, it may be necessary to curtail services because of overcrowding, Mrs. Alton W. Mabry, Jr., administrative librarian, stated in her annual report today to the Library Board of Directors.
“While more stacks and files are desperately needed, we are now faced with the problem of additional space.” Mrs. Mabry said in the report. “We find that we are still extremely crowded and the juvenile and teen sections, as well as the audio-visual room are now totally inadequate.”
Wednesday, April 19, 1972
Ansonia Mourns Poulsen
ANSONIA – The flag in front of City Hall was at half staff today in respect for Brig. Gen. Niels I. Poulsen U.S. Army (Ret.), an Ansonia native, who died Monday at the age of 76.
The Ansonia Memorial Day Association today asked the city’s merchants to fly the flag at half staff in respect for Mr. Poulsen. The general lived here most of his life.
“The association believes that Gen. Poulsen’s service to the country and his community stood as a fine example to all veterans and citizens of Ansonia,” a spokesman said. “His 38 years of active military service and contributions to civic activities reflected nothing but credit to himself and his hometown.”
Derby High Students Run City Hall For Day
DERBY – A girl took over the city administration with the full consent of Mayor Ralph J. Romano yesterday.
She was one of the members of the Derby High School Student Government who took over the city administration for a day.
Miss Karen DellaRocco, Student Government president, was the acting mayor. Students who occupied other offices were Miss Paula Stec, tax collector; Miss Janet Oliwa, assistant tax collector; Miss Ellen Costigan, town clerk; Richard Uluski, assistant town clerk.
Also, John Brown, chief of police; Louis Romano, chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission; Thomas Romano, chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals; John Pagliaro, public works commissioner; Arthur Antinozzi, chairman of the Board of Education and Robert Berey, city clerk.
The group was greeted by Romano and briefed on the duties of city officials.
Police Car Contract Awarded In Seymour
SEYMOUR – The Board of Selectmen last night awarded the contract for two new police cruisers to Dworkin Chevrolet Inc., of Derby, for $5,088.
The Derby concern was one of three auto dealers who submitted bids. Dworkin’s gross bid was $6,288 for two 1972 Chevrolets. It allowed $1,200 trade-in on two 1971 Fords for a net bid of $5,088.
Another bid was received from Fitzpatrick’s Inc. of Ansonia, which bid $6,660 for two Plymouths and allowed $1,500 for two trade-ins for a net bid of $5,160.
