Saturday, June 29, 2013

"reduce the mountainous regulatory obligations"

It's about time! The Milford Daily News reports on a new proposal to address the unfunded mandates that school districts are forced to implement. The focus of the article is on Framingham and doesn't reference Franklin. However, this has long been a complaint of the School Committee and district officials here so I am sure that Franklin will be following this closely.
"We need relief," said Framingham School Committee Chairwoman Beverly Hugo, who wrote the original draft and testified at Thursday's public hearing. "Some of these (mandates) are redundant or duplicative." 
While some of the requirements - which in recent years have been introduced to address bullying, teacher evaluations, and school nutrition, among other issues - may be necessary to some degree, she added, "there's no analysis that shows whether these reports (submitted by schools) improve student achievement or services to children in the classroom." 
What is known, Hugo said, is the cost to districts to fill out thousands of pages of paperwork that are required by the mandates. Framingham, for instance, had to hire several vice principals in recent years to keep up with the greater workloads created by the state's new teacher evaluation system.

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x853679261/Bill-takes-aim-at-unfunded-mandates-for-school-districts#ixzz2XbFTz67L



Related posts:

Earlier this month "Area school officials are concerned the mandates, including a new teacher evaluation system, additional training to educate English Language Learners (ELL) and new fingerprinting requirements, are too much, too soon."
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/in-news-unfunded-mandates-structurally.html
Reporting on truancy was touted in 2012
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/08/another-unfunded-mandate.html

A listing of state unfunded mandates posted in 2010
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/05/state-education-mandates-collection.html

Reporting on bullying was added in 2009
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/11/another-unfunded-mandate-coming-down.html


Kids get free ice cream for wearing helmet while riding their bike

The Milford Daily News reports that the Franklin Police Dept has teamed with Rick's to promote helmet use for kids riding bikes.
In Massachusetts, the law states that children 16 or under have to wear a helmet when riding anything with wheels, according to Manocchio. 
The department recently teamed up with Rick’s, 28 West Central St., to promote bike safety through offering a sweet incentive. 
Rick Moore, who has owned the downtown restaurant since 2006, said he too often sees kids riding or skating without helmets. 
"As a matter of fact," he said, "for every kid with a helmet, I think I see three without helmets."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x946747120/Franklin-kids-wearing-helmets-to-get-sweet-reward#ixzz2XbJhDm7J

Franklin: Rick's Restaurant
Rick's in Franklin, MA


Rick's webpage  http://www.ricksinfranklin.com/

and Rick's is also on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/ricksinfranklin

MDN anonymous comment policy change

The Milford Daily News FINALLY got around to addressing their anonymous comment issue.

For some time, we’ve received complaints that the anonymous commenting system we’ve hosted on our online stories does little to enhance the conversation within our community. The criticism has been that some of the comments are hateful and sometimes, downright objectionable. We heard you and we agree.

It was about time. I find it quite interesting that the comments on the Milford Daily News articles have dropped considerably. It is still early as the policy just went into effect on Thursday. It was not uncommon to see posts with dozens of comments.  As a good example, the editorial announcing the change received 50 comments (as of this morning 06/29/13 7:20 AM). And yet the new "Most Commented" section shows posts with a top comment total of 1!



Milford Daily News comments
Milford Daily News comment screen shot 6/29/13 7:20 AM






Read the full editorial about the comment change here: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinions/editorials/x853676846/Editorial-Commenting-with-honesty-and-civility#ixzz2XbQyWS67


What is the comment policy for Franklin Matters?
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2007/12/comment-policy.html



One Run for Boston


A cross-country relay intended to raise money for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings will cross through Mendon and Upton this Sunday.

This relay will also run through Hopkinton, Framingham, Wellesley, Newtown and finish in Boston. Most of these are group stages, so runner can still sign up to run in the group. Additional information can be found on the MA sections here

Explore the website here  http://onerunforboston.org/

Follow them on Twitter https://twitter.com/OneRunForBoston


Friday, June 28, 2013

Farmers Market - Town Common - noon to 6:00 PM


Franklin, MA: Farmers Market
Farmers Market today

HockomockSports Top Student-athlete: Kristi Kirshe

HockomockSports.com has announced:
Franklin High senior Kristi Kirshe has been selected as the inaugural Miss Hockomock, an award given to the top student-athlete of the school year as chosen by the staff of HockomockSports.com. Kirshe captained the soccer, basketball, and girls’ lacrosse teams this past year and will be attending Williams College in the fall of 2013. 
This past fall, Kirshe led Franklin to its first-ever Division 1 girls’ soccer state championship and a near perfect record of 22-0-1. During the winter season, Kirshe was the starting point guard on the Kelley-Rex division co-champions and helped lead the Panthers to their second consecutive South sectional final. This spring, she was a starting defender for Franklin, which completed a perfect 11-0 league schedule and advanced to the sectional semifinal.
Read the full article on HockomockSports.com
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2013/06/2012-2013-miss-hockomock-franklins-kristi-kirshe.html

MassBudget: The Massachusetts minimum wage - Frequently Asked Questions



MassBudget    Information.
   Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy.
Minimum Wage Resources
A strong minimum wage helps ensure that Massachusetts workers earn enough to support their families, and it can also help our economy by increasing the amount of money workers have to spend at local businesses. Our new FAQ answers a range of questions about the current minimum wage and includes some of the main findings from our recent minimum wage reports, including:

  • Over the course of a year, a full-time minimum wage worker earns about $5400 less today than he or she would have in 1968 (adjusted for inflation)

  • Raising the minimum wage to $10 would increase the wages of an estimated 581,000 workers--or roughly 1 in 5 workers across the Commonwealth

  • Of those 581,000 workers who would be affected by an increase in the minimum wage, 86 percent are 20 years or older.

In addition, we have updated several of our minimum wage tools and factsheets, and made all of our relevant work available through our minimum wage resource page. This includes:


The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER
15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700
BOSTON, MA 02108
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Franklin LIbrary: Patriotic Crafts

Patriotic Crafts
patriotic crafts
patriotic crafts


Franklin Public Library - 118 Main Street Franklin MA 02038 - 508.520.4940

PATRICK ADMINISTRATION AWARDS $5.7 MILLION IN WORKFORCE TRAINING FUND PROGRAM GRANTS

                                        
PATRICK ADMINISTRATION AWARDS $5.7 MILLION IN WORKFORCE TRAINING FUND PROGRAM GRANTS
Matching grants complement private sector workforce training initiatives; Grants benefit over 5,600 employees at 72 Massachusetts companies

BOSTON – Thursday, June 27, 2013 – The Patrick Administration today announced $5.7 million in the Workforce Training Fund General Grant Program, providing for the training of over 5,600 current and newly hired employees at 72 Massachusetts companies across the Commonwealth. The grants, which are for up to two years, serve as a resource for businesses to increase the skill set of their incumbent employees and provide valuable training to the workers. As a result of these awarded grants, participating companies project to create 414 new jobs by the end of 2015.

"The Workforce Training Fund offers employees the ability to learn new skills and expertise that allows their employers to compete more effectively in their respective industries," said Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) Secretary Joanne F. Goldstein. "It's a proven resource and we look forward to working with the business community to further implement training initiatives and partner with them to maintain a highly skilled workforce in all regions and all economic sectors of the Commonwealth."

Today's Workforce Training Fund Program grants build on the record investments in workforce training and education made by the Patrick Administration in recent years. Within the manufacturing industry alone, the Administration awarded more than $10 million through this grant program to 117 manufacturers over the last two years. This latest round of Workforce Training Fund Program grants further supports manufacturers as well as initiatives to enhance skills for employees in other sectors including financial services, engineering and hospitality.

"Massachusetts companies recognize that their ability to compete globally depends in large measure on the skills of their workers. The grants announced today will strengthen those skills, as well as the productivity, efficiency and innovation of Bay State employers," said Richard C. Lord, President and Chief Executive Officer of Associated Industries of Massachusetts and Chair of the Workforce Training Fund Program Advisory Board.

"We encourage businesses, regardless of size, to contact us to learn more about the Workforce Training Fund and how this resource can help them to address their business needs," said Nancy Snyder, President and CEO of EOLWD's Commonwealth Corporation. "We are also interested in helping small businesses access the fund through consortiums that can be organized by third party workforce and training organizations."

This round of Workforce Training Fund Program grants support companies located in more than 50 cities and towns across the Commonwealth. Of the 64 awarded grants, two are technical assistance grants, or planning grants, to prepare companies prior to implementing workforce training grants and initiatives. Additionally, two grants were awarded to consortium projects involving multiple employers with common training needs.

The following is a complete list of the awarded Workforce Training Fund General Program Grant Recipients (listed by city/town), totaling $5,727,662:

ABINGTON

Anderson Insulation, Inc., $109,600 awarded, 82 employees to be trained, seven new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

ATTLEBORO

CMT Materials, Inc., $106,540 awarded, 35 employees to be trained, two new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

AVON

D'Allesandro Corporation, $90,869 awarded, 85 employees to be trained, four new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

BEDFORD

C.E. Floyd Company, Inc., $67,200 awarded, 29 employees to be trained, two new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

F.W. Webb Company, $95,200 awarded, 143 employees to be trained, four new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

iWalk, Inc., $115,100 awarded, 51 employees to be trained, four new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

BERKLEY

Malloch Construction Company, Inc., $29,234 awarded, 15 employees to be trained, 2 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

BILLERICA

Entegris, Inc., $128,510 awarded, 55 employees to be trained, five new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

BOSTON

CMJ Management Company, Inc., $208,992 awarded, 275 employees to be trained, 12 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

PHT Corporation, $201,115 awarded, 227 employees to be trained, 20 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

Tekscan, Inc., $48,600 awarded, 20 employees to be trained, seven new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

BRAINTREE

Corcoran Management Company, Inc., $179,553 awarded, 275 employees to be trained, 30 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

Hub Pen Company, $94,600 awarded, 151 employees to be trained, five new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

Symmons Industries, Inc., $199,000 awarded, 200 employees to be trained, five new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

BROCKTON

Uno Foods, Inc., $67,200 awarded, 248 employees to be trained.

CHELMSFORD

Brooks Automation, Inc., $227,340 awarded, 427 employees to be trained, 10 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

Kronos Incorporated, $220,900 awarded, 320 employees to be trained, 30 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

CHICOPEE

Covidien LP, $143,300 awarded, 225 employees to be trained, six new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

DIGHTON

Armin Innovative Products, Inc. (dba RNR Plastics, Advanced Looseleaf Technologies), $67,104 awarded, 75 employees to be trained, 12 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

FAIRHAVEN

Southcoast Visiting Nurse Association, Inc., $64,910 awarded, 43 employees to be trained, four new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

FALL RIVER

Mechanics Cooperative Bank, $69,017 awarded, 56 employees to be trained, five new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

FRANKLIN

Cabem Technologies, LLC, $23,200 awarded, 11 employees to be trained, one new job is expected to be created as a result of training.

Tegra Medical, $248,400 awarded, 240 employees to be trained, 15 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

GLOUCESTER

Common Crow Natural Health, $65,265 awarded, 36 employees to be trained, 14 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

GRANBY

C & G Machine Tool, Inc., $27,093 awarded, nine employees to be trained, one new job is expected to be created as a result of training.

GREENFIELD

New England Natural Bakers, Inc., $81,395 awarded, 36 employees to be trained, two new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

HAVERHILL

Baril Corporation, $97,200 awarded, 30 employees to be trained, seven new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

Pentucket Bank, $96,260 awarded, 95 employees to be trained, five new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

HOLLISTON

Ward Process, Inc. (dba American Acoustical Products), $88,000 awarded, 54 employees to be trained, six new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

HOLYOKE

Sealed Air Corporation, $47,310 awarded, 68 employees to be trained, two new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

HUDSON

Lancaster Packaging, Inc., $45,000 awarded, 20 employees to be trained, one new job is expected to be created as a result of training.

LAWRENCE

Merrimack Valley Federal Credit Union, $64,114 awarded, 55 employees to be trained, eight new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

LEOMINSTER

Electro Wire, Inc., $104,415 awarded, 68 employees to be trained, 10 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

LITTLETON

Dakin Road Investments, Inc., $36,000 awarded, 18 employees to be trained, one new job is expected to be created as a result of training.

LYNN

Traditional Breads, Inc., $74,800 awarded, 59 employees to be trained, three new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

MANSFIELD

PrimeraDx, Inc., $55,800 awarded, 37 employees to be trained, 10 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

MARLBROUGH

Massachusetts Credit Union League, $219,213 awarded, 210 employees of to be trained, eight new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.  This is a consortium grant involving four additional companies: Southbridge Credit Union of Southbridge; Central One Federal Credit Union of Shrewsbury; St. Mary's Credit Union of Marlborough; and St. Jean's Credit Union of Salem.

NEWBURYPORT

Arwood Machine Corporation, $25,000 awarded for a technical assistance planning grant within the Workforce Training Fund General Program. 

Mersen USA Newburyport – MA, LLC, $88,800 awarded, 58 employees to be trained, five new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

NORTH ADAMS

Cascade School Supplies, Inc., $21,120 awarded, 21 employees to be trained, two new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

NORTHBOROUGH

Microwave Component & Systems, Inc., $22,080 awarded, 10 employees to be trained, three new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

THG Corporation (dba The Hope Group, Hope Air Systems, Sorensen Systems), $97,440 awarded, 75 employees to be trained, three new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

NORWOOD

AG Salesworks, Inc., $76,425 awarded, 57 employees to be trained, 12 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

PALMER

Rathbone Precision Metals, Inc., $102,108 awarded, 35 employees to be trained, four new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

PEABODY

Harmonic Drive LLC, $102,400 awarded, 37 employees to be trained.

PITTSFIELD

Excelsior Printing Company, $11,858 awarded for a technical assistance planning grant within the Workforce Training Fund General Program. 

Pittsfield Plastics Engineering, Inc., $28,000 awarded, 84 employees to be trained, nine new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

RAYNHAM

Munro Distributing Co. Inc., $48,940 awarded, 24 employees to be trained, 10 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

SHREWSBURY

Advanced Microsensors Corp., $41,625 awarded, 40 employees to be trained, 10 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

SOMERVILLE

Triumvirate Environmental, $181,244 awarded, 80 employees to be trained, seven new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

SOUTH DENNIS

Rogers & Gray Insurance Agency, Inc., $60,750 awarded, 110 employees to be trained, six new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

SOUTH EASTON

Pop Tops Sportswear Co. Inc., $37,710 awarded, 28 employees to be trained, four new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

SOUTHBOROUGH

Graphic Arts Institute of New England (dba Printing Industries of New England), $234,650 awarded, 183 employees to be trained, six new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training. This is a consortium grant involving four additional companies: Bassette Printers of Springfield; Boutwell, Owens, & Co. of Fitchburg; Flagship Press of North Andover; and Shawmut Advertising of Danvers.

TOPSFIELD

East Coast Metrology, LLC, $23,400 awarded, 15 employees to be trained, three new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

TURNER FALLS

Nex Performance Films (dba New England Extrusions), $71,750 awarded, 56 employees to be trained, six new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

WEST BOYLSTON

Checkerboard, $60,930 awarded, 52 employees to be trained, two new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Kielb Welding Enterprises, Inc., $26,400 awarded, eight employees to be trained, one new job is expected to be created as a result of training.

WESTBOROUGH

Middlesex Savings Bank, $181,469 awarded, 408 employees to be trained, eight new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

WESTFIELD

Boise Cascade Building Materials Distribution LLC, $55,200 awarded, 56 employees to be trained, three new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

Peerless Precision, Inc., $34,530 awarded, 18 employees to be trained, one new job is expected to be created as a result of training.

WEYMOUTH

George Washington Toma TV & Appliance, Inc., $29,385 awarded, 15 employees to be trained, five new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

WILMINGTON

Implant Sciences Corporation, $42,900 awarded, 44 employees to be trained, 30 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

WOBURN

Admiral Metals Service Center Company, Inc., $55,000 awarded, 26 employees to be trained, two new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.

Greene Rubber Company, Inc., $59,200 awarded, 43 employees to be trained, two new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.


To learn more about the Workforce Training Fund Program, visit www.mass.gov/wtfp.

In the News: Hernandez, student loan rates


Authorities on Wednesday searched a Ledgewood Condominiums rental unit tied to the Aaron Hernandez murder investigation, returning Thursday to interview residents.

Are you worried about the pending increase to federal student loan rates? Are you already slammed with education debt? Contact reporter Scott O'Connell for an upcoming story on the student debt issue: 508-626-4449 or soconnell@wickedlocal.com


Thursday, June 27, 2013

Franklin Downtown Partnership - Membership Renewal


If you have Not sent in your 2013 membership renewal but are planning to do so please e-mail us this week at Downtown.franklin@yahoo.com so we don't take your name off the list.
Franklin Downtown Partnership
downtown partnership logo

The Harvest Festival registration forms will only be sent out to current 2013 members this year. Non-members will need to pay $125.

As a resident, this is a reasonably priced way to get involved in Franklin's downtown business community. Membership is only $25/year.  More information about what the membership entails can be found on the Downtown Partnership webpage  http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/p/membership-info.html


How many web apps have access to your info?

From Richard Byrne's Free Technology For Teachers website comes this good service to consider.
Many services allow you to register and use their services by logging-in with your Facebook, Twitter, or Google credentials. If you use that option a lot, you might forgot just how many services have access to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google accounts. MyPermissions is a handy tool that will show you all of the services that you have authorized to access your social media accounts. The service can be used in your web browser or you can download the free MyPermissions iOS and Android apps.








The original post can be found here

MyPermissions can be found here  http://mypermissions.org/


Dean College: Preschool Exploration Open House

Dean College Children's Center will host an Exploration Open House on August 20, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parents of preschool children ages 2.7 years old through 6 years old are encouraged to stop by during exploration hours, bring their child to explore the school, and learn about our program. 
Innovative and progressive, Dean Children's Center is NAEYC accredited and well known in the community for an excellent preschool experience. The center has an adult to child ratio of 1:5 and has credentialed teachers as well as teachers-in-training. Dean Children's Center is a professional, caring environment where young children learn through hands-on exploration and enjoy enrichment programs in science, puppetry, music and dance. 
Applications are now being accepted for enrollment. Dean Children's Center serves as an inspiring environment for children and a lab school for ECE majors. Our developmental approach reflects education research in child development and peer conflict resolution. "We are a resource to parents and educators, and our lab school is a demonstration site for best practices in early education of children" states Director Faith Nickolas. 
Dean College Children's Center located at 144 School Street in Franklin. For more information, call 508-541-1598.

In the News: Chilson Beach, car break-ins



The Recreation Department has extended Chilson Beach’s hours of operation today because of the heat until 7 p.m.  Normally it's open Monday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.



In light of a "steady" number of reported break-ins, authorities are urging residents to lock their vehicles.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

"Balance is the key"


Finance Committee Chairman James Roche, who for more than a decade has played an integral part in shaping the town’s annual budget, has decided not to seek reappointment. 
Roche, however, isn't going far, taking on a new role as treasurer for the Franklin Food Pantry. 
"I think I can help them put some systems in place and take (the pantry) further down the path," he said. "I’m still serving the town, but just in a different capacity. I think it’s important that people give back to the community. I’m just changing the venue."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x986308105/Longtime-Franklin-FinCom-Chairman-Roche-won-t-seek-reappointment#ixzz2XJYJ1d16

Note: As Chairman of the Board, the Franklin Food Pantry is extremely grateful for Jim's help.

Running Event! 5K in Franklin - Jul 20

4th Annual Run, Walk, Crawl



Hi

I am writing to tell you about a great 5K happening in Franklin, MA on July 20th!  I hope you can share this event on your blog and fFcebook page!  

We are holding our 4th Annual Run, Walk or Crawl 5K - We will not lay down 2 Cancer on Saturday July 20th at the Helen Keller Elementary School in Franklin, MA.   Registration opens at 8 AM and race starts at 9 AM.  This organization started in 2010 when I was diagnosed  with breast cancer while 13 weeks pregnant.  Today I am cancer free and have a healthy 3 year old!  However we all know too many loved ones still struggling with cancer.  This race is for all cancers, in memory of those we lost and in honor of those who continue the battle.   All money raised will go directly to Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund in MA.  This is our 4th year in Franklin and we hope to grow and continue to hold our race in this great town!  

This is a certified course, chip timing, medals for 6 different age groups, as well as Tech Shirts, food, music, fun and raffles!  Raffles include 2 American Airline tickets and Red Sox Tickets.  

I attached a flyer for the event.  I am hoping you could post this flyer. Please see website for more details or contact me with any questions. 
Thanks so much!
Rebecca


--
Thank you,
Amy, Rebecca, Sarah, Shelly and Kerry
We will Not lay down to Cancer!

Franklin Library: Animal World Experience



Animal World Experience

animal world experience
Animal world experience


Franklin Public Library - 118 Main Street Franklin MA 02038 - 508.520.4940

In the News: election turnout, stormy weather, new comment system



Senate race: Fair turnout as area goes for Gomez 
Turnout was higher than expected Tuesday as Milford-area residents cast their ballots, mostly for Republican Gabriel Gomez, in the U.S. Senate special election.


Stormy weather tonight and for the rest of the week 
The National Weather Service in Taunton has issued a special weather statement for possible strong thunderstorms for the Southern New England area, including Middlesex County.


New, improved Milford Daily News commenting system aims to build, improve conversations on our website 
On Thursday, Milford Daily News will launch a new set of social and interactive features underneath online articles. Our goal is to enhance the experience by giving readers new ways to interact with each other, share opinions and engage with the news.


Editorial: Commenting, with honesty and civility
For some time, we’ve received complaints that the anonymous commenting system we’ve hosted on our online stories does little to enhance the conversation within our community. The criticism has been that some of the comments are hateful and sometimes, downright objectionable. We heard you and we agree.


Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Reminder - vote today!

You may think, "why bother?"

Aside from it being your civic duty, what happens in Washington eventually affects what happens in MA and ultimately here in Franklin. Much of our budget is derived from either Federal or State aid. The work on the Downtown Project is being funded from these sources. (Which is why there have been delays, the Federal and State government process moves slower than it does in Franklin.)
The special election for the US Senate seat formerly held by John Kerry will be held on Tuesday, Jun 25. All Franklin voters will cast their ballots at the Franklin High School field house. The polls will open at 6:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM.

Election Day
Election day - Jun 25, 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Absentee ballots are available up until noon on Monday, Jun 24, 2013
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/Absentee%20Ballots%20Are%20Available.pdf

Gabriel Gomez campaign site   http://www.gomezforma.com/
Ed Markey's campaign site  http://www.edmarkey.com/


Lowell Sun endorsed Gabriel Gomez  http://www.lowellsun.com/opinion/ci_23500657/let-gabriel-gomez-show-what-he-can-do

Milford Daily News endorsed Markey
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x393138725/Editorial-Ed-Markey-for-U-S-Senate


The two candidates for Massachusetts' open U.S. Senate seat have differing opinions on how things are run down on Capitol Hill.


Farmers Market - Wheatless Bliss

My visit to the Franklin Farmers Market was a good news bad news story. The good news was I did get there about 5:30 PM. The bad news was it was too late to get much. I did get some honey from Akin-Bak.I needed a fresh supply.

Nick Hoffman of the Hoffman Farm was taking down his canopy as he had sold what he had brought for the day. Amy Acevdo at the Grateful Farm tent said it was a good day for business!

Franklin Farmers Market
Franklin's Farmers Market

I did stop and spend a few minutes talking with Sharon Washburn about Wheatless Bliss. The gluten free bakery is operational now and they will be opening a cafe in the fall.

Wheatless Bliss @Franklin Farmers Market
Wheatless Bliss - Franklin Farmers Market

I found their Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/WheatlessBliss

and website http://www.wheatlessbliss.com/

and that the grand opening dates were just announced to be Sep 21 -22!

Wheatless Bliss - gluten free
Wheatless Bliss - Bellingham, MA

MassBudget: Massachusetts Third in Nation for Child Well-Being



MassBudget    Information.
   Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy.
Massachusetts Third in Nation for Child Well-Being, Challenges Persist


Children in Massachusetts lead the nation in Educational achievement, and are at or near the top in a number of measures of Health, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2013 KIDS COUNT Data Book

In other areas, children in Massachusetts continue to face some significant hurdles. For instance, while Massachusetts's child poverty rate is relatively low compared to other states, one in six kids under five is currently living in poverty--roughly 75,000 young children. One way to help improve the economic security of some of those children would be to increase the minimum wage, which has lost 25% of its value since 1968.

In education, our 4th-graders have the highest rate of reading proficiency in the nation, and our 8th-graders the highest rate of math proficiency. "The long-term investments we began to make in our schools in the 1990s are paying off, but too many of our kids are not yet getting the support they need to have a real opportunity to succeed." said Noah Berger, president of MassBudget, the KIDS COUNT group in Massachusetts. "For example, half of our 4th graders are still not reading proficiently--and we know that early reading success is crucial to the ability of a child to succeed in school. Focusing on what it takes to give every child an opportunity to succeed is crucial not just for those kids, but also for our state's ability to build a strong, high wage economy."

MassBudget's KIDS COUNT reports cover a range of issues affecting children in Massachusetts, including early education & care, homelessness policy, youth jobs, and public health. Our Children's Budget contains clear descriptions and funding information for the many programs in the Massachusetts state budget that affect children. And the MassKidsCount.org group blog is a place for leading voices in child advocacy and public policy research to discuss issues affecting the well-being of children in Massachusetts.


View a summary of Findings for Massachusetts

See all of our KIDS COUNT resources
The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER
15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700
BOSTON, MA 02108
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108