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This week we look back at 1970, the year the Beatles disbanded, Simon and Garfunkel were singing about “A Bridge Over Troubled Water” and people were wondering just how many licks it took to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.
These were the top 5 songs playing on the radio:
“ABC” – The Jackson 5
“Let It Be” – The Beatles
“Spirit In The Sky” – Norman Greenbaum
“American Woman” – The Guess Who
“Instant Karma” – John Lennon
Here is what was happening in our Valley, as stolen from the microfilm edition of The Evening Sentinel!
Tuesday, April 28, 1970
School Board In Ansonia Asks Teacher Pay Freeze
ANSONIA – The Ansonia Board of Education has proposed that teachers’ salaries for the 1970 – 71 school year remain at the same level being paid this year.
In a newsletter distributed to teachers today, the Ansonia Federation of Teachers said the AFT had proposed a substantial salary increase for next year.
Mrs. Elizabeth Flynn, AFT president, did not indicate what the salary demands were, however.
The school board presented its own set of demands when negotiations opened more than a month ago. The proposal that teachers’ salaries not be increased was apparently one of them.
Yale Rower Takes A Dive
DERBY – An unidentified Yale University rower was tossed in the Housatonic River near the Maples early today when his one-man scull overturned.
The rower swan to the Shelton shore safely. He went to a nearby residence and called the Bob Cook boathouse in Derby and a power boat was sent to tow the overturned scull back to the boathouse.
Little League To Open 21st Season
SEYMOUR – The George J. Hummel Little League opens its 21st season of play with a triple header Saturday at Cassagrande Field, Seymour.
Opening ceremonies will begin at 1 p.m.
The Orioles will meet defending champion Garden City in the first game. Riversides will play the Cubs in the second game and the Wildcats meet Top Notch in the third game.
Wednesday, April 29, 1970
Ice Cream Shop Signs Lease For City Mall
ANSONIA – The Friendly Ice Cream Corp. has become the latest tenant to be signed for the Downtown Ansonia Mall, according to Leonard L. Farber Co., the shopping center developers.
The ice cream and sandwich shop will be in addition to the one in the Valley Shopping Center in Derby. The Ansonia store would be larger than the Derby facility but will have the same food and ice cream line.
The newest tenant is the 18th to be signed for the mall, which is expected to be open in late summer. Other major tenants will be the W.T. Grant Co., First National stores and the Ansonia branch of the State National Bank of Connecticut.
Oil In Sewage Threatens Derby Treatment Plant
DERBY – “We’ve got a major problem. If it isn’t abated in the next couple of days we will have to close down the plant.”
That’s how Louis S. Walenga, superintendent of the Derby Sewage Treatment plant summed up the problem that has plagued the plant since Monday.
“It’s still pouring in today,” Walenga said. “It looks like industrial waste oil or fuel oil. It’s not just a couple of gallons that is coming in. I’m also attempting to determine if fumes from the oil could present an explosion problem in the sewer lines.”
VFW Asks Residents To Fly Flag Friday
SEYMOUR – Commander Steve Cherhoniak of Seymour Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Mrs. Julia Paul, president of the Ladies Auxiliary, today urged Valley residents and places of business to fly the flag on Loyalty Day.
In a joint statement, Cherhoniak and Mrs. Paul urged residents and business establishments to “stand up and be counted May 1, Loyalty Day, by flying the flag.”
Thursday, April 30, 1970
107 Pints Of Blood Donated At AABC
ANSONIA – Harry E. MacNeal Jr. became a seven-gallon donor and Charles Seccombe a six-gallon donor at the blood bank yesterday at Anaconda American Brass Co., Ansonia.
The bank was held in conjunction with the Lower Naugatuck Valley Chapter, American Red Cross. It received 107 pints of blood.
Firemen Douse Blazing Mop At Griffin
DERBY – Valley firemen went to the Griffin Hospital this morning when smoke was discovered in the receiving room off Spring Street.
The smoke was traced to a mop burning. A hospital employee carried the mop outside and the fire was extinguished.
Firemen from Derby, Ansonia and Shelton answered the alarm from Box 9. Smoke ejectors were used to clear the area. The only damage was to the mop.
Police Find Stolen Car
SEYMOUR –An automobile belonging to a Bridgeport resident was found by Seymour Police yesterday off Buckingham Road, stripped of equipment.
Chief Kenneth Connors said the car has been stripped of its transmission, motor, doors, front and rear seats and radio.
Friday, May 1, 1970
Valley Police Placed On Alert
VALLEY – Valley police departments have strengthened their forces for the weekend as a precautionary measure to deal with any eventuality coming out of the three-day Free the Panthers rallies in New Haven.
Extra men were being assigned to shifts at the Shelton, Derby and Ansonia police departments.
The strongest measures in the Valley were apparently being taken in Ansonia, where several residents have been calling police headquarters to express their fear about the situation.
GOP Re-Elects Uberti Chairman
ANSONIA – James Uberti was re-elected chairman of the Ansonia Republican Town Committee last night at St. Michael’s Hall on Beaver Street.
Uberti, who was first elected town chairman in 1967 to fill the unexpired term of William J. Menna after he resigned, was re-elected without opposition.
Uberti, in his first municipal election last year, successfully guided the party to victory in the November election when all but one of the contested positions was won by the GOP.
The Democrats had been in control of the city for 13 years before the Republican victory.
Derby Little League To Open 20th Season
DERBY – The Derby Little League will open its 20th season at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Little League Field, Coon Hollow Park. Three practice games will be played.
A parade, in which all teams will participate, will leave the Derby Green at 12:30 p.m.
At the field, Leonard Fletcher, president, will introduce officials, managers and coaches of each team in the league. The Rev. Robert J. Miner, rector of St. James’s Church, will give the invocation. Mayor Ralph J. Romano will throw out the first ball.
The Derby L.L. was unofficially organized in 1949 as part of a Valley League.
Seymour Faces New Tax For Teacher Pay Hike
SEYMOUR – The chairman of Seymour’s Board of Finance said today that a special tax would have to be levied this year if funds are to be raised to meet proposed teacher salary increases for 1970 – 1971.
Norman C. Sargeant told The Sentinel that the town did not have the money in its current budget to meet the increases recommended in an arbitrator’s report.
The school board has estimated the cost of the increases at $70,000. The finance board would have to provide $50,000 in the current budget and the remainder in the 1971 – 1972 budget.
Saturday, May 2, 1970
Valley Men Harmonize, Win Contest
VALLEY – A Valley, all-male vocalist group, the Sons of Harmony chorus, sung their way to victory last week in a regional songfest in Pittsfield, Mass.
The singers, most of whom live in Shelton, Ansonia, Derby or Seymour, won first place in a competition sanctioned by the International Barbershop Singing Society, in which they are members.
The victory assured them entry into the Society’s preliminary contest next October in Lake Placid, NY and increased their chance of representing New England and eastern Canada in international competition scheduled for mid-1971 in New Orleans, La.
Cub Scouts Hold Circus
ANSONIA – Cub Scouts Pack 4 of Christ Church, Ansonia, held a three-ring circus in the parish house of the church featuring a parade led by Cubmaster Seymour Morgenstern.
Gordon Kells-Murphy, the Den 3 ringmaster, introduced Brian Mace, who demonstrated his inventing machine. Steven DiBona appeared in a hobo act. Christopher McNeil performed as the strong man, assisted by Douglas McNeil. Bradley Tick and Mark Foster portrayed Siamese twins. Gary Lindgren was a wild man and William Tyrell was a clown.
The midway featured games, prizes and refreshments.
Charlton Signs Comic Contract
DERBY – Charlton Press of Derby has concluded licensing agreements with Screen Gems for publishing for seven comic book characters with widespread newspaper and television exposure.
The titles are; The Flintstones, Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, The Jetsons, Top Cat, Quick Draw McGraw and Magilla Gorilla.
All will be published bi-monthly with the first issues making their appearance on newsstands throughout the country July 1.
Police Investigate Truck Removal
DERBY – Derby police are investigating a burglary at the P. Francini Construction Co. office on Water Street last night.
A truck was removed from a garage but was found undamaged not far from the building.
Entry was gained by forcing a door. It was not known if anything was missing. Patrolmen Thomas Kashuba and Joseph Moore were conducting the investigation.
