Dear Editors of the Franklin Observer and Franklin Matters,
I usually do not get caught up in the misinformation that is being spread around Facebook (as you both know I am no longer on it) but I was made aware of a post that I feel compelled to comment on.
Last March I received an email asking me if I still lived in Franklin, after getting over feeling stunned and insulted, I replied to April Davenport that yes, indeed I do, and I couldn't be on the Town Council if I did not live in Franklin. She responded respectfully with thanks and I thought that was the end of it.
It has come to my attention that this misinformed conspiracy has returned and is being spread by a former Town Councilor and a person I used to respect, Judy Pfeffer. She posted and I quote
"Word on the street is that there are 2 current council members who no longer live in Franklin. The honorable thing to do is for them to make this known to the residents".
This type of vague subterfuge leads only to division and distrust.
This statement is also insulting on many levels. To the members in question, the Town Council as a whole, and to the community. We all deserve better.
1: Ms. Pfeffer and the other former Councilor who liked her post know full well that (and I quote from the town charter): "Any registered voter of the Town shall be eligible for election to Town Council membership " Does this mean that these people do not trust the Town Clerk to ratify voting registrations? (I should note here that there is nothing in the charter that stipulates a percentage of the year that you have to physically be in Franklin).
2. Why not just state the 2 members' names so they can defend themselves? So the community can fact check? Better yet why not just call them up and ask? It seems that this is an attempt to make it seem that the members are being secretive and hiding something and are being untrustworthy. These are elected volunteers that are being maligned.
3. Do you really think that I or anyone else would sit in the Council chambers and take these insults to our characters if we did not live in and love serving Franklin?
We have had many people come before the Town Council upset and rightfully so, with the division in the town. They have asked us what can be done about it.
Here is the one thing you can do - Please stop spreading rumors like this and do not continue to allow this type of misinformation to spread. Call out the person who is trying to spread divisiveness and distrust.
There is no place for these conspiracy theories in a united Franklin.
Thank you for your time,
Melanie J Hamblen
Franklin resident and 4 term Town Councilor
Alan Earls at the Franklin Observer provides additional info in an editorial.
If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html
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| Voices of Franklin: Melanie Hamblen calls out misinformation |
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