■Following a heated debate about the merits of rehabilitating criminals, the Northampton City Council voted 4-3 last night against granting a taxicab license to an ex-convict. The vote followed a speech by Police Chief James J. Whalen, who urged that the license be denied. “Rehabilitation is a farce,” Whalen said. “All police know it is a farce.”
■In the latest of a series of nighttime break-ins this week, thieves last night smashed the front glass door of the Tremblay Drug Co. on Main Street in Florence and attempted to steal narcotics. Police said a cabinet containing narcotics had been forced open, but nothing was taken because the narcotics had been removed.
■Following the success of its first poetry/performance contest last year, Northampton High School will hold “Poetry Slam 2000” next month, when 40 students will compete for monetary prizes. Senior Evan Aird, one of several competition organizers, said area poets will judge the contest which will feature students performing their own poetry.
■The Hatfield Luminarium, the town’s night to shine, brought residents and visitors on Sunday from surrounding towns to view the thousands of candle-lit paper bag and milk jug lanterns that lined the streets and driveway of the small community. The blazing spectacle is in its 19th year, according to Peter Rakelbusch, president of the Hatfield Business Association, the group that sponsors the event.
■Six new full-time officers were sworn in Thursday, joining five current members of the Northampton Police Department who were promoted, during a ceremony celebrating what Chief Russell P. Sienkiewicz described as progress after a “dark time” which included understaffing and a personnel scandal.
■The retirements of two Hadley officials, Treasurer Constance Mieczkowski and Department of Public Works Director Gary Girouard, were announced this week. The select board also announced that Joan Zuzgo, the assistant town treasurer, will serve as interim treasurer starting Jan. 1.