A Look Back: Dec. 8

50 Years Ago

■At least three city councilors are seeking the presidency of the City Council, although a recent straw poll conducted by the Gazette indicates incumbent president of the council Robert R. Patenaude would win the election six votes to three.

■James F. Cahillane, chairman of the Northampton Redevelopment Authority, reports that the Industrial Park information center is now located in the main lobby of the Northampton National Bank. The display booth, consisting of maps, pictures, and pamphlets, graphically illustrates the advantages of the industrial park and of Northampton.

25 Years Ago

■A city committee whose sole purpose is to help develop and preserve affordable housing in Northampton is ready to get to work. On Thursday, the City Council approved the mayor’s nomination of the first members of the Affordable Housing Trust, a body created by the council in June.

■In its final meeting before disbanding, the Easthampton Women’s Club announced Monday it will establish a scholarship fund that will carry the club’s name. Rita Wilk, the club’s acting president and treasurer, said the Women’s Club will forward $13,151 to the Citizens Scholarship Fund of Easthampton.

10 Years Ago

■Safe Passage — a nonprofit that provides counseling, advocacy and shelter, among other things — raised close to $300,000 in donations in this year’s Hot Chocolate Run, the most in the 10 years of the race. About 5,500 registered participants helped raise the money for the domestic violence charity.

■Four medical providers have joined University Health Services at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Staff physicians Laura L. Scoville and Maria Gallo and nurse practitioners Yanghee Kwon and Patricia A. Mertes are providing care in the health center’s walk-in and general medicine clinics.