Frank DeLucia said Tuesday that Philip Kopp's announcement that he would not support his candidacy was "not a surprise." He added, though, "I regret he has taken this position." Phil Kopp made no statement following Mr DeLucia's victory in the Republican primary on September 9, by a 1,258 to 929 vote, until September 16. That day Mr Kopp said he could not support Mr DeLucia's reelection bid and urged "the 900 plus voters who supported me on September 9" to vote in November "for the caucus-endorsed Republican slate."

***

There was only a single moment of doubt before it became clear that Jack H. Rosenthal, 56, Democratic caucus-endorsed candidate for first selectman, had definitely won the party nomination over challenger Gerald J. Frawley, 50, in the primary Thursday, September 11. The final tally was 615 for Mr Rosenthal, and 448 for Mr Frawley. There was a short spell of hushed voices in the crowded campaign headquarters of Mr Rosenthal when the voting returns from District III South showed Mr Frawley just a few votes ahead. However, the rest of the returns soon were phoned into the headquarters, showing that in every other area in town Mr Rosenthal was ahead.

***

Floyd Patterson, former world's heavyweight boxing champion, stopped by Earl Meyer’s General Store a few days back to say hello and ask to be reminded to his old friends in Newtown. The former champ, who now lives in New Paltz, N.Y., used to train here during the years he was in the ring.

***

As of September 15 some changes were made in postal rates, and believe it or not, a few of them represent a savings to the postal patron. Although the ten cent rate for the first ounce of first class mail remains the same, the second ounce now costs nine cents, reflecting a drop of one cent. Post cards, as of September 15, became less costly, too, as they became seven cents instead of eight cents.

***

The Newtown Ecumenical Committee Assisting Vietnamese (NECAV) is sponsoring a refugee family which arrived in Newtown Thursday, September 11, and is living in the Congregational cottage behind the Congregational Church parish house until the head of the family, Chat Tran Ngoc, is able to find employment. Mr Ngoc, a man in his early 30s, has worked for the US Navy and the US Army and served with the US Embassy. He is a supply specialist and has had experience in bookkeeping as well as interest and experience in carpentry. He speaks English well. With Mr Ngoc is his wife, Tuyen, a seven-year-old son, Nghia, a four-year-old daughter, Thao, and two-year-old daughter, Thuy-Trang.

***

A Newtown Chapter of the United Jewish Appeal (Women’s division) has been formed under the chairmanship of Mrs Alex H. Vogel. The United Jewish Appeal is an organization devoted to raising funds for such relief agencies as the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, United Israel Appeal, New York Association for New Americans. It also aids social, cultural, and educational needs in communities throughout the country and has served continuously since 1939.

***

The eleventh hour meeting between Senator Lowell Weicker (R Conn.) and officials of the Federal Highway Administration to try and stall $17.1 in federal funds for the proposed second span of the Rochambeau bridge on I-84 between Southbury and Newtown failed to slow down the Connecticut Department of Transportation timetable. Bids for the controversial project were advertised on September 17, and October 29 still stands as the date the bids will be opened. FHWA Administrator Norbert T. Tiemann told Mr Weicker on Friday, September 12, that authorization had already been given for the release of the federal portion of the $20.1 million project, the state had met all the federal requirements, and FHWA saw no reason for taking the unprecedented step of withdrawing that authorization.

SEPTEMBER 22, 1950

Work has begun in earnest on the Wheeler building which is being constructed by George Wheeler on his Queen Street property as a shopping center for the town. The Mutual Construction Company of Bridgeport is the general contractor, plans for the building having been drawn by O.C.S. Ziroli, architect, of Bridgeport. The foundations are already poured and the brick work is scheduled to begin the end of this week, or the first part of next.

***

At an organizational meeting of the newly formed High School Building Committee held in Hawley School last Thursday evening, Herbert H. Cutler, chairman of Newtown’s Board of Finance, was elected chairman. Raymond J. Trimpert was elected to serve as secretary. Preliminary plans of the group call for an early meeting with Superintendent of Schools Carl A. LeGrow, members of the Board of Education, and the architects to discuss proposals for the new high school to be built on Queen Street.

***

Newtown young men inducted into the Army this past week were Andrew J. Hunihan, Sandy Hook; William Lovell, Queen Street; and Stephen P. Kovacs, Hawleyville.

***

It has been announced that Mrs F. Willard Johnson will replace Mrs J. Frederick Seman on the Visiting Nurse Association board of directors, and that Mrs Walter Gutman will be replaced by Mrs Richard McCallister.

***

The annual Member-Guest Tournament took place at the Newtown Country Club on Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17, with 96 entries. It was under the direction of Fred Bauer, chairman of the tournament committee, and Danny Lawlor, club pro. Among prize winners, the Men’s Low Gross score in the two-ball best ball match went to George Smart and John P. Previdi, with a score of 63. The teams of Joseph Mantak and Edward Durkin and Louis Iasello and Arthur Testa tied for second place, with a Low Gross of 69.

***

The annual meeting of the Newtown Ambulance Association was held on Tuesday evening of this week in the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall. Harry Greenman presided over the meeting which got under way at 8 o’clock. Following the treasurer’s report by Mrs Ralph Knibloe, John McMahon gave the chief driver’s report. He made special note of the fact that the number of calls has increased considerably over preceding years. One call is made every 49 hours, he said. In comparison to one every 59 hours last year. After the reports were given, George Powell, chairman of the nominating committee, presented a slate of trustees to be elected. They are Mrs H.S. DeGroat, Raymond Trimpert, and Zaner Faust, all of whom were elected unanimously.

***

The Newtown Mothers Club held its first fall meeting in the social rooms of Trinity Episcopal Church, Monday evening of this week at 8 o’clock, with Mrs William Walsh, president, presiding. Nearly 35 persons were present at the social gathering, which had been planned as a get-together for both old and new members.

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SEPTEMBER 18, 1925

The Republican caucus, Friday night, was very lightly attended. George Stuart was chosen chairman and Raymond Hall, clerk. The ticket nominated was as follows: Assessor, Walter L. Glover; Board of Relief, E.M. Peck, Jr; Selectmen, Herbert T. Coger, Arthur Page; Town Clerk, no nomination; Town Treasurer, John A. Carlson; Agent Town Deposit Fund, John A. Carlson; Auditor, H.N. Tiemann, Sr; Grand Jurors, George E. Hayes, Angus T. Joy, Clark R. Page; Tax Collector, Rodney B. Shepard; Constables, Jacob Gomberg, Charles Jackson, Thomas Carlson, William Gower; Registrar of Voters: First District, Charles F. Beardsley; Second District, Louis T. Briscoe; Finance Board, C.B. Taylor; Town School Committee, Arthur W. Reynold.

***

In one of the shortest caucuses in the history of the local democracy, a town ticket was nominated, Monday night, at the annual Democratic caucus at the Town Hall. Arthur J. Gallagher was chairman, and Oscar Pitzschler, clerk. The ticket nominated was as follows: Assessor, Martin J. Rouregon; Board of Relief, Patrick Keating; Selectmen, Thomas F. Brew, Frederick B. Lake; Town Clerk, Oscar Pitzschler; Town Treasurer, Frank Wright; Auditor, Frederick Leiss, Jr; Registrar of Voters: First District, Thomas F. Bradley; Second District, Edward P. Tatty; Grand Jurors, Patrick H. Gannon, Allen Beardsley, Lester Gilbert; Constables, Paul Cavanaugh, Joseph Collins, Thomas Carlson, C.F. Conger; Tax Collector, P.H. McCarthy; Town School Committee, John H. Keane; Board of Finance, Thomas Holian.

SEPTEMBER 21, 1900

The crowning glory of the agricultural fair season of New England is the Great Danbury Fair, which begins October 1. Its attractions are legion.

***

A reception was rendered at the home of Mrs Blake on Gas Street, last Tuesday evening. There were about 20 guests present. Mr Gallagher rendered several solos in his usual pleasing style, and assisted by Miss Debold, favored the company with several solos and piano duets, after which refreshments were served. Dancing followed.

***

There will be no service at St John’s Church on Sunday next.

***

The present outlook indicates that the fair, next week, will be the largest yet held in Newtown. The entry list in the speed department is the largest ever received and plenty of sport will be had among the horsemen. The tents for poultry and wagons will be put up Monday morning.