Showing posts with label author. Show all posts
Showing posts with label author. Show all posts

Sunday, November 15, 2020

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Jordan Sonnenblick - Nov 19

We're bringing one of our favorite authors to all 3 middle schools next week - but we didn't want our families to miss out! 

Join us next Thursday, Nov 19 from 7-8 PM as renowned author Jordan Sonnenblick comes to you - direct to your living room! 

Find links here https://t.co/hH1LD0bD6O 

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/MUBDrYKKsT

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Jordan Sonnenblick - Nov 19
Franklin Public Schools, MA: Jordan Sonnenblick - Nov 19


Tuesday, September 22, 2020

2020 Library of Congress National Book Festival: Celebrating American Ingenuity

The 2020 Library of Congress National Book Festival will celebrate its 20th birthday this year! And, for the first time in its history, the event will be completely virtual. Join us next weekend for an interactive, online celebration of American Ingenuity featuring more than 120 authors, poets and illustrators. The festivities will culminate with a PBS television special “The Library of Congress National Book Festival: Celebrating American Ingenuity,” hosted by Hoda Kotb on Sunday, Sept. 27, 6-8 p.m. ET/PT (check local listings).

Register Today! 

2020 Library of Congress National Book Festival
2020 Library of Congress National Book Festival

Create your FREE account now at loc.gov/bookfest to access on-demand videos, live author chats and discussions during the Festival weekend, Sept. 25 – 27. You’ll have options to personalize your own festival journey with timely topics, and to explore book buying possibilities through the festival’s official bookseller, Politics & Prose.

Check Out the Author Lineup

Collage image of authors participating in the 2020 National Book Festival

More than 120 renowned authors, poets and illustrators are taking part in our virtual festival! Connect with your favorite writers across all genres at our virtual “stages” including, Children, Teens, Family, Food & Field, Fiction, Genre Fiction, History & Biography sponsored by Wells Fargo, Poetry & Prose sponsored by National Endowment for the Arts, Science and Understanding Our World.

View the full author lineup: loc.gov/events/2020-national-book-festival/authors/ 


Thursday, September 17, 2020

"The story of Tabitha. It's the story of us" (video)

"Please watch. It's the story of Tabitha. It's the story of us. 

We can do hard things. 
And we will. 
Because we are goddamn cheetahs. "

 
A four minute video - Picked by Franklin radar via Twitter

 

"The story of Tabitha. It's the story of us"
"The story of Tabitha. It's the story of us"

 

Saturday, September 5, 2020

FM #342 Easy Walks with Marjorie Turner Hollman - 9/01/20 (audio)

FM #342 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 342 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with author Marjorie Turner Hollman. Our conversation was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We had a comfortable and easy conversation about ‘easy walks’ in and around Franklin. Marjorie has four books now, three that are trail based and the newest one is more about how to find easy walks wherever you are.

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ac6a6eab-fcd9-4bbe-9eb7-9a8342d54520

-----------

Links to 

Marjorie’s web page which among other things features her books   https://marjorieturner.com

‘Easy Walks in MA’ group on Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/Easywalksinmassachusetts 

Photos from Marjorie   https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/albums/72157715853783092

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
  • If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

FM #342 Easy Walks with Marjorie Turner  Hollman - 9/01/20 (audio)
FM #342 Easy Walks with Marjorie Turner  Hollman - 9/01/20 (audio)

Marjorie Turner  Hollman
Marjorie Turner  Hollman

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

“It’s uncomfortable for a lot of parents, so a lot of times they just skip over it"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
It’s been two years since Sam Gouveia was teased by some of his kindergarten classmates for painting his nails red.

Now a month shy of his seventh birthday, he still paints his nails. He also started experimenting with make-up to recreate looks based off of YouTube tutorials. He started with his mom’s products, but now he has his own bag of make-up.

“He hasn’t had a problem (with being judged) since then,” said his father Aaron Gouveia, writer of the nationally-known “Daddy Files” blog, about that day in 2018.

When Gouveia started a thread on Twitter supporting Sam wearing nail polish, it went viral, receiving more than 35,000 likes and support from celebrities like former New England Patriots tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett, and voice actress Tara Strong, who has voiced popular characters like Timmy Turner from the “Fairly OddParents.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20200630/his-three-sons-franklins-daddy-files-blogger-publishes-book-on-raising-boys-to-be-good-men

Listen to my interview with Aaron. We met on the Town Common, and socially distanced for our conversation.
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/06/fm-292-aaron-gouveia-daddy-files-52120.html

FM #292 Aaron Gouveia - Daddy Files - 5/21/20 (audio)
FM #292 Aaron Gouveia - Daddy Files - 5/21/20 (audio)

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Franklin Matters Radio Schedule for 6/10 - 6/11/20


Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

Wednesday 11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm
  • Talk Franklin” = 290 - Jamie Hellen and Anne Marie Tracey - (46 m)

Thursday: 9:00a/12:00p/6:00p
  • 292 – Franklin author – Aaron Gouveia (29 m)
  • 294 – former Franklin teacher – Kathy Pennell (20 m)

Franklin Matters Radio Schedule for 6/10 - 6/11
Franklin Matters Radio Schedule for 6/10 - 6/11


Tuesday, June 9, 2020

FM #292 Aaron Gouveia - Daddy Files - 5/21/20 (audio)

FM #292 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 292 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin resident and author, Aaron Gouveia. We had our conversation on the Town Common on a gorgeous day in May while adhering to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk of his popping to my Franklin radar as a dad blogger when in 2018, his son in kindergarten came home with a problem due to some of his class’s reaction to his fingernails being painted. Aaron set up a Twitter thread before he went to bed that night and woke up to find his phone exploding with notifications.

Long story short as he made the media rounds, he got an offer to write a book about toxic masculinity. His book is now due to be published June 16

We had a great conversation
  • about parenting, both boys and girls,
  • the needs for good role models for our youth
  • the minimum wage workers who are the heroes in this pandemic.
  • the nature of work is changing and
  • maybe there is a silver lining in this pandemic.

The show notes include links to Aaron’s Twitter profile, the Amazon book page, his book web page, and to the quote I botched during the conversation.

The recording runs about 28 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Aaron. Audio file -> 
 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-292-aaron-gouveia-daddy-files-5-21-20


-------

Franklin Public Library Author Event, June 24 https://facebook.com/events/s/raising-boys-to-be-good-men-a-/2312169695751328/?ti=cl

The DaddyFiles page https://www.daddyfiles.com/

The Amazon link
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510749411?tag=duckduckgo-ffab-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

Aaron’s Amazon author link https://www.amazon.com/Aaron-Gouveia/e/B08127Z6JN

Boston Globe article from 2018
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/10/23/this-franklin-father-has-powerful-message-anyone-who-has-issue-with-his-son-painting-his-nails/P9lPTb9IAqGtf0toIuO58K/story.html

Follow Aaron on Twitter https://twitter.com/daddyfiles

And the quote I butchered goes like this:
"Our example to our children, to our families, and to the world around us is constant. The question is not whether or not anyone is watching, the question is what are they learning as they watch." -- Kirk Weisler

-------
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?
  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
  • If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!
------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


FM #292 Aaron Gouveia - Daddy Files - 5/21/20 (audio)
FM #292 Aaron Gouveia - Daddy Files  - 5/21/20 (audio)

Monday, February 3, 2020

FM #198 - Jeff StGermain On "How I Read" - The Word Experiences Tour (audio)

FM #198

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 198 in the series, we are now collaborating on with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

Jeff St Germain, author and resident of Franklin sat with me recently at the Franklin studio. He talks about his new children’s book “How I Read” and the background research driving him to develop ‘word experiences’ for young children.

Listen to our conversation, approximately 24 minutes


https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HrD7VxrX





-------------

Visit https://howtoreadbooks.com/about-talsd.html to learn why the focus of each event is "word experiences" for the participants.

Follow Jeff on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/howtoreadbook/

“The Early Catastrophe” by Hart-Risley https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/periodicals/TheEarlyCatastrophe.pdf

Related link to the Hart-Risley study mentioned
http://www.wvearlychildhood.org/resources/C-13_Handout_1.pdf

Link to NPR audio report updating the study with new info
https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/06/01/615188051/lets-stop-talking-about-the-30-million-word-gap

Betty Hart’s wikipedia entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Hart
Todd Risley interview on YouTube https://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/experts/todd-risley


For the inquiring minds: the book that had my attention so deeply that I almost missed getting off the train, not once but twice with the same book: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman  http://philip-pullman.com/hdm


Jeff and Klondike at the Franklin Public Library
Jeff and Klondike at the Franklin Public Library

------------

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help.

How can you help?
  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
  • If you don't like this, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


Monday, November 11, 2019

Local author's books part of marketing test with Target

Two book titles by Franklin author Alan Earls are being featured in a marketing test Arcadia Publishing is doing with select Target stores this year.

Route 128 and the Birth of the Age of High Tech
https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9780738510767
 
Route 128 and the Birth of the Age of High Tech
Route 128 and the Birth of the Age of High Tech

and

U.S. Army Natick Laboratories: The Science behind the Soldier
https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9780738537290

 
U.S. Army Natick Laboratories: The Science behind the Soldier
U.S. Army Natick Laboratories: The Science behind the Soldier


will be available at the Target location at 400 Cochituate Rd, in Framingham through the end of 2019. This is an innovative step to support book sales by a major national retailer.

 If you don't make it to Target before the end of the year, you can also find these books (and others by Alan Earls) in your normal online books sellers (amazon, et al).

For other titles by Alan Earls at Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3AAlan++R.++Earls&s=relevancerank&text=Alan++R.++Earls&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Author to visit the three Franklin Middle Schools in November






Download your copy of the flyer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AiJPm1t1wZyOB-U07wxc3RZnsLR03Bfg/view?usp=sharing



Author to visit ALL THREE Franklin middle schools in November
Author to visit ALL THREE Franklin middle schools in November

Saturday, May 18, 2019

“had a feeling that there was a story hiding in that idea”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Susan Hamilton can trace her beginnings as a serious writer to a particular college assignment. 
“My freshman writing professor challenged us to write ‘something creative,’” she says. 
Until then, most of her writing was for school. This time, the assignment was a tipping point. 
“I enjoyed the story I wrote so much, I set out to write a novel,” the author shares."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190517/telling-faerie-tales-franklin-author-delves-into-fantasy-realm

SUSAN K. HAMILTON
SUSAN K. HAMILTON

Related post
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/11/franklin-author-susan-k-hamilton.html

You can find Shadow King on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-King-Susan-K-Hamilton-ebook/dp/B07H84LK7Z

and Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40250160-shadow-king


Friday, January 4, 2019

Franklin Author Book Sale Specials

Franklin author Susan K Hamilton has some book sale specials announced that I found via the Twitter stream. We had shared the release of Shadow King in November 2018.


Franklin Author: Susan K. Hamilton fantasy genre novelist

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/11/franklin-author-susan-k-hamilton.html


"The ESCAPE! Anthology released yesterday and is currently in the Top 50 on Amazon for both Short Stories and Anthologies. Special $2.99 price until Jan. 6! Grab your copy today, you'll be glad you did!#shortstories #anthologies #amreading #books"




"Buy the Amazon Kindle version of Shadow King for just $0.99 through 12/12/19!
Grab a copy today!"


SUSAN K. HAMILTON
SUSAN K. HAMILTON

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Franklin Author: Susan K. Hamilton fantasy genre novelist

Dark fantasy readers will find themselves spellbound by Susan K. Hamilton’s Shadow King (Oct. 2, 2018, InkShares). In the midst of a tumultuous Boston, a Fae Seer, Seireadan, begins to fall for Aohdan, the Fae Patriarch of the city’s criminal underworld. Despite her best intentions to stay away from him, the fierce passion begins to consume them both. While Aohdan to expand his power base, Seireadan searches for the Fae who killed her family, straining their still-new relationship. Soon, they’ll both have to make choices that will drastically change the course of their lives.

SUSAN K. HAMILTON: Susan K. Hamilton is the author of three novels in the fantasy genre: Shadow King, Darkstar Rising, and The Devil Inside (forthcoming in 2019). Shadow King landed on the Top Ten finalist list of the 2016 Launchpad Manuscript Competition out of over 1,000 entrants from 24 countries, and was published by Inkshares in October 2018. 
SUSAN K. HAMILTON
SUSAN K. HAMILTON

The Devil You Don’t reached the Top 25 finalists list the following year and will be published under the name The Devil Inside. Susan lives near Boston, Massachusetts with her husband and cat. An avid equestrian, you can often find her at the barn when she’s not writing. She rediscovered her love for writing at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst when her writing teacher freshman year told the class that their last assignment was “to write something creative.”

You can find Shadow King on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-King-Susan-K-Hamilton-ebook/dp/B07H84LK7Z

and Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40250160-shadow-king



Monday, September 24, 2018

Library: Journalist and Author Ted Reinstein - Sep 24

Journalist and Author Ted Reinstein scheduled to speak at the Franklin Public Library on Monday, Sep 24, 2018 at 6:30 PM.


Journalist and Author Ted Reinstein - Sep 24
Library: Journalist and Author Ted Reinstein - Sep 24

Library: Journalist and Author Ted Reinstein - Sep 24
Library: Journalist and Author Ted Reinstein - Sep 24

Ted also spoke in 2014 at the Library. At the time the enthusiastic group who listened and wanted to buy his book, went across the street to the Ginley Funeral Home parking lot where he sold copies of his book. Maybe the capability to sell books on the Library grounds has changed. It was being talked of during the renovation of the Library. We'll see.

Ted in the center of the Franklin book buyers!
Ted in the center of the Franklin book buyers!
The post in April 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/i-bought-my-book-at-ginleys.html

Monday, August 27, 2018

Franklin Library: Ted Reinstein - Sep 24

Journalist and Author Ted Reinstein is scheduled to speak at the Franklin Public Library on Monday, September 24, 6:30 PM


This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2018/08/journalist-author-ted-reinstein-monday.html

Ted spoke in 2014 at the Library. At the time the enthusiastic group who listened and wanted to buy his book, went across the street to the Ginley Funeral Home parking lot where he sold copies of his book. Maybe the capability to sell books on the Library grounds has changed. It was being talked of during the renovation of the Library. We'll see.

Ted in the center of the Franklin book buyers!
Ted in the center of the Franklin book buyers!
The post in April 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/i-bought-my-book-at-ginleys.html

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

In the News: Franklin author at Library; MDN editor at Library

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St., will host local author Arlyn Halpern on Tuesday, June 5 at 6:30 p.m. 
Halpern, a psychotherapist and writer, will give a talk about her new memoir, “Dancing into the Light.” It’s a heartwarming tale of her journey from a challenging childhood in suburban Chicago to self-discovery and greater wisdom through dance, living in three countries, and intensively studying mindfulness and meditation in India and the U.S. with a Buddhist master. It’s a compelling tale of love, loss, adventure, humor, and personal and spiritual growth. 
“There are many joyful and funny experiences (in the book) - dancing in a carnival at age 15 and falling in love to name a few,” says Halpern."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180604/franklin-author-to-talk-about-memoir-at-library-june-5

In the News: Franklin author at Library; MDN editor at Library
In the News: Franklin author at Library; MDN editor at Library

"We value our readers and those connected with the communities we cover; that’s why we would like to hear from you in person. 
Come share your thoughts and story tips at Coffee With The Editor events planned for Milford and Franklin this month. 
Milford Daily News Editor-In-Chief Anne Brennan and Multimedia Journalist Scott Calzolaio will be at the Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St., from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, June 6. 
The Milford Daily News staff will be on hand from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, June 13 at the Daily News office, 197 Main St. for a second Coffee With The Editor event."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180604/join-us-for-coffee-with-daily-news-editor-in-june


Wednesday, May 30, 2018

In the News: local author to speak at Library June 5

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St., Franklin, will host local author Arlyn Halpern on Tuesday, June 5 at 6:30 p.m. 
Halpern, a psychotherapist and writer, will give a talk about her new memoir, “Dancing into the Light.” It’s a heartwarming tale of her journey from a challenging childhood in suburban Chicago to self-discovery and greater wisdom through dance, living in three countries, and intensively studying mindfulness and meditation in India and the US with a Buddhist master. It’s a compelling tale of love, loss, adventure, humor, and personal and spiritual growth."
Continue reading the article online
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20180529/franklin-author-to-talk-about-memoir-at-library

In the News: local author to speak at Library June 5
In the News: local author to speak at Library June 5

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

High School - College: Social Media Part-time Summer Work

Arlyn Halpern, Franklin resident, psychotherapist, and author writes:
"I am looking for a mature high school or college student who might want a part-time job this summer. I have been looking for someone who is good at social media and could assist me in getting the word out about my book through Facebook, Instagram, etc., as well as assisting in some other office tasks."
Arlyn is scheduled to talk about her book at the Franklin Library on June 5 at 6:30 PM. You can find more about her book "Dancing into the Light: A Spiritual Journey of Healing" on her page  http://www.arlynhalpern.com/

If you have interest in the social media work, please contact Arlyn at arlyn@arlynhalpern.com

Social Media Part-time Summer Work
Social Media Part-time Summer Work

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Book Signing: "Run. Think. Repeat.: Funny, Thought-Provoking, and Totally Random Thoughts" - Nov 9

Franklin’s Kim Rezendes celebrates the release of her first book, Run. Think. Repeat.: Funny, Thought-Provoking, and Totally Random Thoughts from a Mom on the Run, with a special signing at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin on Thursday, November 9 from 7-10 p.m. A compilation of short stories about life, food, family, and small town roots, the book grew out of thoughts and observations Kim had while running. Each story comprises a chapter in the book, with some being poignant, others inspirational, and most funny and fun.
Franklin’s Kim Rezendes celebrates the release of her first book
Franklin’s Kim Rezendes celebrates the release of her first book

The book morphed out of Kim’s blog and Facebook posts, with encouragement from friends and family who enjoyed her humorous writing style and related to her stories. Kim spent a year compiling the pieces while continuing to write new material. Written in conversational style, often as a stream of consciousness, the book’s chapters fall into four sections: FamiLove, “Her”story, Think. Thank. Thunk., and Randumbs.

Born and raised in Franklin, Kim still lives in her hometown surrounded by family and childhood friends. Her writing reflects Kim’s appreciation for small-town community and old-school perspective. The stories are highly relatable and honest, with a real-life view. Local readers may well recognize familiar people and places, while others will find in Kim’s anecdotes much that reminds them of their own lives, family, and experience.

Director of the Little Music School at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), Kim is also one of FSPA’s earliest alums. She notes that Run. Think. Repeat. celebrates longtime relationships with teachers and fellow students who remain some of her closest friends. Working with FSPA’s youngest learners, Kim draws a connection between her own powers of observation and those of the children she teaches: “Children notice things that others don’t and they verbalize things that others might not. Parts of my writing are musings on common situations and circumstances. I pay attention to everyday things that we’re surrounded by and I’m inspired by them.”

Kim finds her writing to be a relaxing process that helps clear her head and put things in perspective. “In the classroom, I do the same thing,” she says of her shift in outlook. “If something is not going as planned, I try to focus on what is going well and not sweat the small stuff.”

The feedback from readers has been what Kim hoped it would be. “It’s an easy read,” Kim says. “There’s so much heavy in this world, the book allows people to stop thinking about all the craziness.”

Released by MindStir Media, Run. Think. Repeat. is available for purchase at THE BLACK BOX book signing or via online retailers Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com. The $14.99 paperback is also sold locally at The Spotlight Shop, 34 Main Street, in Franklin. 

THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin; visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com to learn more. 

For more information about Run.Think. Repeat., visit www.runthinkrepeat.com

Monday, October 16, 2017

Franklin Candidate for Town Council - Eamon McCarthy Earls

Eamon McCarthy Earls (EME) and I (FM) sat down at Panera Bread to talk about his candidacy for the Franklin (MA) Town Council in the election scheduled for Nov 7, 2017.

FM - Tell me a bit about yourself, your family, and your life here in Franklin? What is your Franklin story?

EMEI grew up in Franklin, attended public schools here and graduated from Franklin High School. My family lives in Franklin and I have many friends throughout the town. Growing up here, I became interested in our community's history from talking with lifelong residents such as Stella Jeon, or Howard and Sandy Crawford. I was inspired by their stories to research and write a history of the town from colonial times to the present day that I published in 2012.  Today, I'm also a homeowner in Franklin, invested in our town's future and committed to seeing this community thrive.

FM - What experience or background will help you to serve in this role? What do you bring to the table that helps to set you apart from the others?

EME - I am well prepared for our complex financial and environmental challenges with an MBA and a bachelors degree in geology from UMASS-Amherst. Town Council is a new way to serve my town, building on the work that I did as an Associate member of the Franklin Historical Commission, helping to set up the Town Museum in 2010, that now anchors our Cultural District. In addition, I've had other longstanding involvements in town whether collecting used bicycles or supporting the Charles River meadowlands initiative.

FM - What do you see as your role's biggest challenge and do you have any suggestions on how we can resolve it?

EME - Engaging the public is one of the biggest challenges, which requires active outreach on the part of the Council. Councilors complain that nobody cares so they just do what they want. I want to encourage a more active citizenry and more people getting involved in our community.

More transparency is needed so that citizens can find the services they need, express their concerns and participate. Some of this can be accomplished through new technology, even potentially apps. But above all, councilors need to be out talking to citizens and not just a select few.

FM - As you know, Franklin has applied to the state for an official Cultural District designation in town. What do you feel is the role of arts and culture in Franklin, and what is your plan to advance that agenda?

EME - It's a great opportunity to invigorate the downtown as a destination for residents and for visitors from out of town. The exact shape of it will evolve overtime, but between the town museum, our historic library and the resources of Dean College as well the Franklin Art Association we have a great foundation.

It's both an economic development opportunity and a chance to increase the quality of life for residents through new opportunities for visual arts, performing arts. Our existing town codes could be seen as blocking the creation of certain art galleries and antiques businesses that might otherwise be a great element in a cultural district.

FM - Would you like to add a closing statement?

EME - All of the people on the council boast about the same things, bringing in business, reducing taxes, almost the same line the entire time. With the 250th anniversary of the town coming up, it's time to take stock and see if we have the right mix of business and how it may evolve over coming years with the changing demographics of the town. Will the town grow in a way that matches its schools and infrastructure? What are we doing to understand and manage that for the long term. Some of the approaches have tended to be tactical, bringing in specific employers or dealing with the problems of a single property. Active town council that shapes the long term agenda. It's not clear exactly how long it will take to clean up our Superfund site and finally get some closure on our polluted Grove St. brownfields.

Clearly there are public health challenges too, the continued challenges of opiods and the growing threat from new tick-borne illnesses. We should be making sure that our local public health infrastructure and schools are equipped to deal with these things.

As a town councilor, I will rise to meet these challenges and work to make the Council a transparent, responsive and engaged group that talks to citizens and works closely with other parts of town government such as the School Committee.


Eamon's email address is eamon4newftc@gmail.com and his campaign Facebook page is @eamon4newftc.


Offer to Candidates 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/offer-to-candidates-for-franklin.html



From the FM archives: 


Eamon's presentation at the Historical Museum on his book  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/talking-about-edge-city.html


and info on his book Franklin: From Puritan Precinct to 21st Century ‘Edge City’

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/historical-museum-book-signing-jan-13.html


Noteworthy: This information is intended to help the Franklin voters when we all head to the ballot box on November 7. The interview candidates have had an opportunity to review the text before publishing to ensure the accuracy of our discussion. 

Franklin Election Collection - 2017
Franklin Election Collection - 2017