A Look Back, March 4

50 Years Ago

■When Russell Carrier, now 25, ran for City Council from Ward 7 two years ago, he got a trim haircut on the advice of a political adviser, waged what he called a “vigorous and clean” campaign, and lost by 100 votes. This fall, when he ran for Northampton School Committee from Ward 1, he kept his mustache and his long hair, talked about America’s shaken confidence in elected officials, and won his seat, uncontested.

■Lt. Gov. Donald Dwight told the Hampshire County Republican Club Saturday night that despite Watergate and other problems “our national principles are sound, and our democracy can withstand turbulence.” Speaking at the Hickory Ridge Country Club in Amherst, Dwight did not refer to the seven Watergate indictments issued last Friday.

25 Years Ago

■Bruce M. Penniman, 49, who has taught at Amherst-Pelham Regional High School for 28 years, is one of four teachers vying for national Teacher of the Year honors. As finalist gathered Tuesday in Washington for interviews by a selection committee, Penniman said that teaching has shaped his whole life.

■Northampton is ready to take a crucial step toward moving the beleaguered cot shelter program from Hawley Street to Memorial Hall. City officials on Wednesday led an architect from the Line Company Architects around Memorial Hall, in anticipation of the city’s March 11 deadline for receiving bids for renovating the hall’s basement for use as a shelter for the homeless.

10 Years Ago

■Two meetings are planned this week in Hampshire County by groups already raising concerns about a proposed natural gas pipeline through Berkshire and Franklin counties. The Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. proposes to run the pipeline from the Marcellus shale fields in western Pennsylvania to eastern Massachusetts to feed the region’s growing demand for natural gas.

■Businessman Eric Suher appeared before the License Commission on Monday and said that work is progressing on the former Baptist Church at 298 Main St. Suher said he would prefer to be further along on that project, but poor weather this winter has slowed work down. Suher has said at previous License Commission meetings he plans to use the former church as a function hall for weddings and conferences.