‘Weird New Deal’, Grand Union, Harlem Line

The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.

Feb. 28, 1935

Ross-Haas Bill Attacked By Senator

Assailed as “Example of Weird New Deal Policies”

ALBANY-State Senator Frederic H. Bontecou of the Twenty-eighth Senatorial District Tuesday night made a biting attack upon the Ross-Haas bill, also known as the New York State Rural Rehabilitation bill, declaring that the “bill is a perfect example of weird Federal New Deal policies incorporated into New York State Law.”

Describing the bill as “the most far-reaching and loosest piece of legislation introduced this session.” Mr. Bontecou ridiculed the theory contained in the bill of “taking citizens from the cities of the State and planting them on Up-State farms to compete with farmers in an effort to make a living.”

Asking if the real purpose behind the bill was to “colonize Up-State rural communities with Manhattan Democrats who, after failing on the farm, would become burdens upon the communities.” Mr. Bontecou branded the proposal as “another $50,000,000 experiment destined to meet with failure.”

Eight-Hour Day Favored By Allen

Assemblyman Howard N. Allen of Pawling, representing the First Assembly District of Dutchess County, last week expressed his support of an eight-hour day for employees of State institutions. Interviewed at Albany by a special representative of THE NEWS, Assemblyman Allen stated that he was thoroughly familiar with working conditions at State hospitals and that he is in favor of an eight-hour day for employees.

Isabel Harvey Chosen Alumni Vice-President

Miss Isabel Harvey was unanimously elected vice-president of the Millerton High School Alumni Association at its regular meeting Monday night, succeeding Maurice Downey who resigned recently. Methods of creating more interest on the part of members in Alumni activities were discussed, and it was suggested that a room be rented and furnished for social meetings of the organization. A drive for the payment of dues has been launched.

February 26, 1976

Grand Union Set To Build At Ames Plaza

The construction of a Grand Union supermarket and 4 or 5 retail stores is tentatively scheduled to begin in the spring at the site of the Ames department store north of Amenia.

James Munroe, real estate manager for the Grand Union Company, said this week construction on a 20,000 square-foot store will begin when warm weather sets in. “I’d say May or June they’ll start building,” said Munroe. The present Amenia Grand Union on East Main Street is 10,000 square feet.

Bond Sale Bust Leaves Harlem Line In Lurch

New York State’s inability to market its railroad bonds has left a number of projects in the lurch, including the State Department of Transportation’s (DOT) promise to return passenger service to Millerton.

Penn Central cut off passenger trains to Millerton without warning in March 1972. The commuter trains from New York City presently run only to Dover Plains.

Needs Annual Appropriation

Louis Rossi, chairman of the State’s Rail Task Force, said Tuesday, “The commitment is still there (for Millerton trains), but as years go by since the bond issue, with inflation; projects will cost a lot more.

He asserted that the only way the State will be able to maintain an efficient railroad system is “to create a permanent mechanism to keep the railroads going, an annual railroad appropriation, to give continuity.

Lettie Carson, president of the Harlem Valley Transportation Association (HVTA), charged this week that State legislators are not listening to their constituents about their need for the railroad: “They appropriate $364 million for new highway construction but can’t afford to save rail lines.” State Sen. Jay P. Rolison Jr. and Assemblyman Benjamin Roosa were not available for comment.

Carson said that she believed the Millerton depot could support 2 trains a day each way, beginning with 2 morning trains: “If we get decent service, I do think it would be supported with expanded service on weekends and holidays.” She also advocated unit trains to Chatham and Pittsfield: “The size (of the train) should be modified to the time of the week.” Carson asserted that passenger service was “unreliable in the past. It was not unusual to arrive in New York City 1½ hours late. That does not stimulate patronage of trains.”

February 22, 2001

On Taking Over Grand Union, Bob Trotta Leaves Door Open

MILLERTON — Once again the upper Harlem Valley is rife with speculation that change is in the air for the Grand Union supermarkets.

Early this week, rumors circulated that local businessman and attorney Robert Trotta would take over both the Grand Union stores in Millerton and Amenia.

“I can neither confirm nor deny that,” Mr. Trotta said Tuesday:

The Grand Union Co., based in Wayne, N.J., last year declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and subsequently sold most of its stores and assets through an auction to C&S Wholesale Grocers in Brattleboro, Vt.

According to Mr. Trotta, C&S has yet to officially close on the deal, and in the meantime “there are two - possibly three - different companies looking at Millerton.”

Mr. Trotta declined to reveal the names of those companies. Nor would he rule out a re-entry into the supermarket business. C&S representatives said earlier this year they had no plans to close the Millerton or Amenia stores.

“C&S is keeping us informed,” said Mr. Trotta, who owns the buildings in the Millerton Plaza, including the Grand Union.

“If we are convinced there will be a good operator, then we will not jump into it and participate in the bidding process,” said Mr. Trotta.

He said he would “like to see a good, aggressive, knowledgeable operator in the building. “ He would also like to know that any potential buyer could keep the store adequately staffed.

“If we thought the town was going to get hurt, then we would likely step in,” added Mr. Trotta.

Mr. Trotta said he owns all the equipment currently in the building, so he could act quickly if the store closed.

The Millerton store has seen its share of occupants over the years. Known as “Trotta’s” since relocating to the Millerton Plaza from the village center in 1970, the store was owned and operated by Joseph Trotta Sr., who died in 1986.

In 1993, Mr. Trotta’s sons Joseph Jr. and Robert sold the store to a leasing company that brought in Great American. When the leasing company went bankrupt three years later, the store was sold to Grand Union, which has operated at the Route 44 location since 1996.