Valley voters backed incumbent U.S. President George H.W. Bush in the 1992 election. Then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton won nationally.
Straight out of the Microfilm machine at Seymour Public Library, it’s This Week In Valley History!
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1992
Valley Gives Bush The Nod
VALLEY – Valley voters in overwhelming numbers went to the polls yesterday and in the end they supported incumbent President George Bush for re-election.
But while the Valley backed Bush for four more years, nationwide the election went to Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton, who promised a new direction for the country.
The final tally found Bush with 43.5 percent of the Valley vote, garnering 20,901 votes to Clinton’s 15,125 and H. Ross Perot’s 11,960 votes.
Board To Hear Parking Request
ANSONIA – Citing safety concerns, the manager for the Valley Work Center will ask the Board of Aldermen Tuesday to create a no parking area at 149 – 151 Wakelee Avenue.
The request for the parking ban in front of the Kneen Co. and Stelray Co. buildings came in a letter to the board from the center’s manager, James Gannon.
“The Stelray building is shared by the Valley Work Center which provides work and rehabilitation to physically and mentally handicapped individuals,” Gannon wrote. “These individuals are dropped off by bus, van and by car. The adjacent building is the Hearing Center which deals primarily with older persons with hearing problems. The owner has been trying to keep the area clear because of the drop-offs and pickup of the individuals at both buildings.”
All of the companies in the area have off-street parking and creating the no parking zone would enhance the safety of the area, Gannon said.
Tonucci Gains Fourth Term
DERBY – The winners circle for the 104th district belongs once again to incumbent Derby Democrat State Rep. Vincent J. Tonucci.
Tonucci, who will serve a fourth term, received 5,734 votes to Derby Republican Toni Tillquist’s 2,736.
Tonucci, surrounded by about 200 family, friends and supporters said his victory was due to the trust he had built up with his constituents.
“I believe I’ve lived up to the promises I’ve made to my constituents,” Tonucci said. “They like to have a representative who is accessible, and they have given me the great honor of being selected again.”
The 104th includes Ansonia and Derby and Tonucci took all of Ansonia’s seven wards.
Belden Makes It Number 10
SHELTON – State Rep. Richard Belden (R‑113th) won his ninth bid for re-election Tuesday, outpacing his Democratic opponent about 2 to 1.
Belden, who returns to the state House of Representatives for a 10th term, beat political newcomer Shawn Splan, a Shelton tax attorney, 6,818 to 3,056 votes, according to the tallies provided by the Shelton town clerk late last night after the polls closed.
Thursday, Nov. 5, 1992
Ansonia Scouts At Competition
ANSONIA – Boy Scout Troop 7 Trailblazers, sponsored by the Holy Rosary Catholic Men’s Club, recently competed in the Fall Camporee of the Housatonic Council at Strang Scout Reservation in Goshen.
The two-day event featured activities such as tomahawk throwing, muzzleloader firing, bow and arrow, mountain men authentic clothing and Indian-style cooking.
The Trailblazers placed fourth in competitions involving all patrols.
Proposal Expected On Schools
DERBY – The Facilities Committee of the Board of Education expected to come up with its recommendation today on the proposed $4 million expansion and renovation of Irving and Bradley schools, which could be included in a combined bond issue early next year.
Plans call for additional classrooms at both schools, the addition of a new cafeteria at Bradley School and a library at Irving School. Lincoln School, which has structural problems and classrooms too small by current standards, would be closed and 334 pupils in grades three through six would be absorbed by the renovated facilities.
If school officials recommend the proposal to the Board of Aldermen, the city would have to borrow $1.2 million to finance the project. The current level of state reimbursement is 72 percent of the costs.
Flag Honors Veteran
SEYMOUR – Emil Senger Post, American Legion, is flying a flag at the post rooms on Bank Street this month in memory of Cpl. Dennis Alan Delaney of Ansonia, a Vietnam War veteran who served with the First Marine Division. The flag was donated by Delaney’s family. In December, a flag will be displayed in memory of Michael Weslocky of Seymour, a World War II veteran and a longtime post member.
Friday, Nov. 6, 1992
Parents To Offer Free Cafeteria Painting
ANSONIA – While there are some people who can’t wait to paint the town, there are others who are content to pick up a brush and try to make a difference.
At Tuesday night’s meeting of the Board of Aldermen, the later group will ask for the opportunity to go into the high school, pick up a paint brush and try to spruce up the cafeteria.
In a letter to board president, Maureen I. Bennett, parents Sue Uhlig and Sue Nuzzo have asked for the backing of the board to do the painting.
“A number of Ansonia parents and students have been identified who are eager to become involved in a community-wide project aimed at making physical improvements at Ansonia High School,” the parents wrote. “The consensus of the group is that a fresh coat of paint in many of the rooms would help to brighten up the school, which, in turn, could prove to be more conductive to learning.”
All materials and labor would be obtained through donations.
The board will consider the request at Tuesday’s meeting at aldermanic chambers.
Oxford Acts To Sidetrack Bankruptcy
OXFORD – Town officials Thursday gave their approval for short-term bonding in order to avoid having the town go broke on Nov. 25.
The action was taken at a special joint meeting of the Boards of Selectmen and Finance at Town Hall.
Actually, short-term bonding was approved at a town meeting back in March, but the officials didn’t invoke its authorization until Thursday when Carl Serus, administrative and financial assistant, told them the town’s current cash balance is $36,405.
He said although $750,000 had been received from the state in education funding, high school tuition payments to Seymour and Nonewaug high schools are due and other operating expenses need to be paid to maintain services.
The 1992 – 93 budget of $15.2 million was based on tax collection of 96 percent. However, Tax Collector Karen Guillet said the collection rate for the first half of taxes due on the 1991 Grand List is approximately 41.2 percent. She also reported that as of Nov. 1, outstanding back taxes for the years 1985 – 1990 is $1,046,345.
“The bulk of that collection is tied up in bankruptcy court and I cannot guarantee a time frame as to when the town will receive the money,” she said.
Veterans Day Service Slated
SEYMOUR – Veterans Day will be observed with an annual candlelight service at the Korean/Vietnam War Memorial in the Broad Street Park at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The service will be sponsored by the Korean/Vietnam Memorial Committee of Seymour, Inc.
The speakers will be Lt. Col. John DeColeto, commander of the 395th Headquarters Battalion, 76th Division, Connecticut National Guard and Major Thomas Graham, executive officer of the battalion. Graham is a veteran of both the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm.
The mayors and first selectmen of the Valley communities will speak.
Frederick D. Stanek, a Seymour lawyer, will be the master of ceremonies.
Saturday, Nov. 7, 1992
Gets Post
ANSONIA – Dorothy Larson, director of the Derby Historical Society and the David Humphreys House on Elm Street here, has been named a director of the Greater New Haven Tourism District. The appointment by Mayor Thomas F. Hallihan will be acted on by the Board of Aldermen at its meeting Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall.
Members Sought
DERBY – The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce is preparing to kick off its annual membership drive. Sign-up sessions will be held Nov. 17 through Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a kickoff reception at Connie’s Restaurant on Elizabeth Street on Nov. 16. Call the chamber for details.
Lack Of Quorum Forces Hearing Delay
SEYMOUR – The Zoning Board of Appeals continued to Nov. 12 a public hearing on two applications for variances when it lacked a quorum Thursday at Town Hall.
Four of the five regular members were unable to attend because of illness or other reasons.
The panel had been scheduled to consider an application from Kerite Co. for variances to allow construction of two buildings at its 23-acre site at Day Street and New Haven Road. The buildings are part of a proposed $25 million factory modernization and expansion, and require variances of the setback requirements and maximum building height regulation.
The appeals board also will review an application from Gabriel R. and Robert R. Daddio for variance for property at 688 Derby Ave. They have asked for lot line revision, side yard variance and the approval of the location for an auto dealer and repair business.
Monday, Nov. 9, 1992
Osiecki Elevates Charger Football
ANSONIA – To Ansonia High School fans, the name Sandy Osiecki is synonymous with the ascent of the Chargers to the top echelon of high school football teams in the state.
Osiecki was the starting quarterback for Ansonia from 1976 to 1978, in which the Chargers won two State Class S championships and were runners up in the State Class LL rankings.
Osiecki earned All-State honors in his junior and senior years for his football prowess. He also played on the Chargers’ basketball team for two years and on the baseball team for three.
For his accomplishments, Osiecki will be inducted into the Ansonia Hall of Fame on Nov. 29.
Dentist Collecting Food For Needy
ANSONIA – At least one local has shown that while going to the dentist may not be completely painless, it can have an impact and fill a need for others.
Dr. Jay Dworkin is asking his patients and anyone who care about the needy to drop off cans of food at his 497 Main St. office.
Dworkin is collecting for the food closet at TEAM, Training, Education and Manpower.
While Dworkin is targeting the need in anticipation of Thanksgiving, he said he may continue the collection beyond the holidays.
“We’re having an overwhelming response to our request,” Dworkin said.
Winter Basketball Registration
DERBY – High school students can start forming teams and sign up for a winter basketball league sponsored by the Derby-Shelton Boys & Girls Club. The league will start in December. Games will be played at Shelton Intermediate School. The league will be open to all CYO, club and individual teams. The league will not accept players who are members of their high school’s freshmen, junior varsity of varsity teams.
