 |
| Franklin, MA: OCPF Meeting December 11 - 6:00 PM |
Incumbent state Sen. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, is challenged by Needham Democrat Becca Raush the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex district seat in the state Senate. The district includes the towns of Franklin, precincts 1 to 4, inclusive, and precinct 7, Millis, Needham, precincts A to C, inclusive, I and J, Norfolk, Plainville, Wellesley, precincts B, F, and G and Wrentham, in the county of Norfolk; the city of Attleboro, ward 1, ward 2 and ward 3, precinct A, and the town of North Attleborough in the county of Bristol; and the towns of Natick, precincts 6, 7, 9 and 10, Sherborn and Wayland in the county of Middlesex.Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 |
| Election Information for Nov 2018 |
“Medicare for all” is a popular phrase that Massachusetts residents have heard often in recent years.
The idea to create a single, tax-funded health insurance plan for all Massachusetts residents - also known as “single-payer” - is supported by some of the state’s leading political figures, including Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Gonzalez.
“I’m a former health insurance CEO who thinks we should get rid of health insurance companies,” Gonzalez said during a recent interview with Wicked Local.
The Democratic nominee previously served as chairman of the Massachusetts Health Connector, the state-based health exchange. He left to become president and CEO of CeltiCare Health, a subsidiary of Centene Corp., a publicly traded health insurer that reported 2017 net earnings of more than $800 million, according to federal filings."Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
"The three U.S. Senate candidates talked with reporters and editors from the Telegram and Gazette, the Daily News and other GateHouse publications Thursday to state their cases, appearing before the editorial board for wide-ranging discussions on issues including immigration, student loan debt and health care.
“It’s this fundamental question about how people see government, and what is the role of elected representatives,” said Democratic incumbent Elizabeth Warren, 69, describing the race she faces as well as races around the country.
Independent candidate and entrepreneur Shiva Ayyadurai, 54, kicked off the day and did not pull any punches - name-calling, criticizing any unfavorable or counter-narrative media coverage as “beyond fake news ... invisible news,” and saying racism and collusion were responsible for everything from keeping him off the debate stage to the failure of immigration reform and the high price of prescription drugs."Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
|
| Election Information for Nov 2018 |
"Democratic U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and her Republican challenger, Massachusetts state Rep. Geoff Diehl, clashed on everything from tax cuts to immigration to Warren’s decision to release a DNA test during their first debate Friday.
The meeting was combative at times, with the candidates challenging each other and sometimes talking over one another."Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
The race for the spot as state representative for the 10th Norfolk district is between two Franklin residents, incumbent Democrat Jeffrey Roy and Town Council member Patrick Casey, who is a Republican. Here are their candidate profiles for this year’s election:
|
| Election Information for Nov 2018 |
"Four fresh faces have joined the ranks at the Franklin Police Department, while it said goodbye to four others.
During Wednesday’s Town Council meeting, the newest additions to Franklin’s finest were sworn in. Officers Connor Crosman, Tyler Peabody, Andressa Rosa and Amanda Ayer took on their new titles, while Detective Michael Kenney, and officers Robert Burchill, Paul Fiorio and Brian Chander said their goodbyes.
The moves keep the department’s roster at 46 officers.
Police Sgt. Brian Johnson said the new recruits look promising so far. Crosman has some experience with the Hopkinton Police Department and came with a high recommendation, Johnson said."
 |
| Officers Connor Crosman, Tyler Peabody, Andressa Rosa and Amanda Ayer getting sworn in by Town Clerk Teresa Burr |
 |
| retiring Detective Michael Kenney, and officers Robert Burchill, Brian Chander and Paul Fiorio |
"Gov. Charlie Baker has agreed to three televised debates against Democrat Jay Gonzalez between now and the general election in November, according to a spokesman for the Republican’s campaign, who said the dates and times for those debates are still being negotiated.
Gonzalez, who won the Democratic primary on Tuesday, had said earlier in the day that he had accepted invitations from five media outlets and consortiums looking to sponsor events and would be open to more. His campaign manager called Baker’s decision to participate in three “disappointing.”
Baker spokesman Terry MacCormack said the governor had accepted invitations from WBZ-TV, WGBH, and a media consortium that includes the Boston Globe, WBUR, WCVB, UMass, and the ABC and CBS affiliates in Springfield.
“The Baker-Polito campaign has accepted invitations for three debates and looks forward to productive conversations about Governor Baker’s strong record of bipartisan results, including 180,000 new jobs, historic funding for education and nation-leading reforms to curb the opioid epidemic,” MacCormack said in a statement."
 |
| 3 Governor debates to be scheduled |
"There was no love lost between Secretary of State William Galvin and Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim who squared off in a tense half-hour television debate on Tuesday evening, trading verbal punches and innuendo as the two battle in a Democratic turf war for an office Galvin has held for over two decades.
Galvin, who agreed to the debate on WGBH’s “Greater Boston” only a day before the taping, criticized his younger opponent for lacking experience and distorting his record. Zakim, meanwhile, tried to paint the long-time incumbent as an obstacle to reform, including same-day voter registration, which Galvin says he supports.
The fast-moving dialogue moderated by host Jim Braude touched on everything from Galvin’s choice to schedule this year’s primary on Sept. 4, the day after Labor Day, to Zakim’s own record of voting -- or not voting -- in primaries."
|
| http://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/elections-2018 |
 |
| Representative Jeff Roy campaign photo from Facebook |
"The Conservation Law Foundation is appealing a state board's decision to approve Exelon's plan to expand its Medway facility by adding 200 megawatts of generating power.
The state Energy Facilities Siting Board tentatively approved the power generating company's plan in early November and later that month after a public hearing, issued a final approve for the 200-megawatt expansion, which calls for two dual-fuel turbines and tall smokestacks.
 |
| https://twitter.com/stopmedwaypeak |
In the 18-page appeal, the Conservation Law Foundation - one of four interveners in the board's process of reviewing the project - called the board's final decision a violation of the state's Global Warming Solutions Act, which calls for a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions - 25 percent below the 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050."
"With Election Day a month behind us, new campaign finance reports reveal the role Super PACs played in Massachusetts races this year. A Nov. 30 analysis from the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance shows those independent expenditure groups increased the amount they spent in efforts to influence Massachusetts legislature races. Here's a closer look at Super PAC activity in the Bay State.
What is a Super PAC?
A Super PAC, or independent expenditure political action committee, is an organization that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money, but cannot directly coordinate with candidates or parties. They often run ads or campaigns independently to support or oppose particular candidates. Super PACs came into existence following the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United ruling."
A five-way battle in Franklin to fill the 10th Norfolk seat, which Rep. James Vallee abruptly vacated in June, has raised the most money of any MetroWest or Milford area House race.
The five candidates so far have raised $69,000 total, according to the state campaign finance website, which lists information on fundraising.
Franklin Democrat Peter Padula has the most, $23,000. Republican Richard Eustis has the least, $5,800.
The Fraternal Order of Police is the world's largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 325,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges. The Fraternal Order of Police works to improve the working conditions of law enforcement officers through education, legislation, information, community involvement and employee representation.
Peter is honored to be endorsed by the Massachusetts Fraternal Order of Police. Police officers work tirelessly to protect and serve the residents of the 10th Norfolk District, as well as every other district in the state and nationally. It is vital that these individuals have a voice in government and are properly represented to ensure that they have access to the resources necessary to provide the best possible service to our communities. The Fraternal Order of Police works aggressively to provide this voice and representation for its many members.
FRANKLIN—The Massachusetts House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. and thirteen members of Massachusetts House of Republican Caucus have announced their official endorsement of Stolle Singleton for the open State Representative seat in the 10th Norfolk district. The district is comprised of Franklin and Precincts 2, 3, and 4 in Medway. "I am honored to receive the endorsement of fourteen outstanding Republican Legislators, whom I have had the privilege of working with as a policy analyst in the State House," Stolle Singleton said. "I am continually encouraged by the support of these genuine public servants, whom I consider my friends and mentors. I am confident that my first-hand legislative experience, informed by my working relationships with legislators, committees, and staff, will make me a strong advocate for the interests of Franklin and Medway on Beacon Hill." On the endorsement, House Minority Leader Brad Jones said, "I am pleased to give my support to Stolle as she embarks on this endeavor that is a reflection of her hard work and dedication to the residents of the 10th Norfolk District. Furthermore, Stolle is a passionate and persuasive advocate whose experience working in the Massachusetts Legislature will enable her to be effective from day one as a member of the House of Representatives."
"I have had the pleasure of working with Stolle on a number of pieces of legislation at the State House and time and time again I was amazed by her ability to comprehend and simplify very complex subject matter in a timely and efficient manner," said Representative Mathew Beaton of Shrewsbury. "Stolle's professionalism, passion for public service and diverse knowledge is exactly what we need in the House of Representatives to help the Republican Caucus advance our efforts to reform and bring transparency to Beacon Hill." Minority Leader Jones and Representative Beaton were joined in endorsing Stolle Singleton's candidacy by colleagues Assistant Minority Leader George Peterson or Grafton, Second Assistant Minority Leader Brad Hill of Ipswich, and Representatives Vinny deMacedo of Plymouth, Jay Barrows of Mansfield, Susan Gifford of Wareham, Donald Humason of Westfield, George Ross of Attleboro, Angelo D'Emilia of Bridgewater, Geoff Diehl of Whitman, Kim Ferguson of Holden, David Vieira of East Falmouth, and Donald Wong of Saugus. Stolle Singleton spent the past two years working on Beacon Hill as a policy advisor to the House Minority Leader and the Massachusetts House Republican Caucus. During her time in the State House, she drafted over 17 pieces of legislation and a myriad of amendments to state budgets and bills, some of which have been signed into law by Governor Patrick. Stolle's legislative experience and commitment to work as a full-time legislator will allow her to effectively collaborate across party-lines to pass legislation to restore our economy, maintain our local aid, and bring increased accountability to State Government.
The three are vying for the Republican nomination to fill the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, a Democrat. Frank announced in November that he is retiring after more than three decades in Congress, citing the newly reconfigured district. Bielat lost to Frank in 2010 by an 11-point margin.
The winner of the Republican primary will likely face off against Brookline resident Joe Kennedy III. Kennedy, the son of former U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy II and grandson of the late Robert Kennedy, has shown strong fundraising capabilities— raking in $1.3 million last quarter— and pundits have said he’ll be hard to beat.
Newton engineer Herb Robinson is also running for the seat as a Democrat, but his campaign hasn’t picked up momentum and has just $997 cash on hand.
