A Look Back, Feb. 10

50 Years Ago

• A draft of a three-year study of Connecticut River flood control provisions has recommended that Northampton and three other Connecticut River cities raise the height of existing dikes and headwalls, but this study opposes a controversial plan to build seven new dams to control flooding. The New England River Basins Commission yesterday publicly released draft copies of its report, “The River’s Reach.”
• The new Post Office on Bridge Street is almost completed. Postal officials say they expect to move from the present Post Office on Pleasant Street on Feb. 28 and 29 and be open for business on Bridge Street on March 1.

25 Years Ago

• Thirty-two local businesses have ponied up contributions totaling $60,000 to the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce through a new “member investment” program called Chamber Partners. The contributions are over and above regular membership dues, and are aimed at helping the chamber balance its budget, which has been running slightly in the red.
• Starting this fall, parents of students in kindergarten through fifth grade will be able to request which city elementary school their children attend. Also, city elementary schools will be open to out-of-district students. Superintendent Bruce Willard said that while he understands the arguments against school choice, the move is a financial necessity.

10 Years Ago

• Hampshire County Sheriff Robert Garvey, who has held the position for 32 years, announced Monday he will not seek re-election in November. Garvey, 78, was appointed by then-Gov. Michael Dukakis in 1984 following the death of Sheriff John Boyle.
• Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Bernie Sanders rode a wave of voter frustration with American politics to commanding victories in Tuesday’s New Hampshire Primaries, adding crucial credibility to their upstart candidacies. “We are going to do something so good and so fast and so strong, and the world is going to respect us again, believe me,” Trump said at a victory rally.

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