FTC to Explore Rulemaking to Combat Fake Reviews and Other Deceptive Endorsements

FTC to Explore Rulemaking to Combat Fake Reviews and Other Deceptive Endorsements Agency seeks comments on the harms and pervasiveness of fake and paid reviews, and other deceptive endorsement tactics The Federal Trade Commission announced today it is exploring a potential rule to combat deceptive or unfair review and endorsement practices, such as using fake reviews, suppressing negative reviews, and paying for positive reviews. View Press Release More news from the FTC

FTC to Explore Rulemaking to Combat Fake Reviews and Other Deceptive Endorsements

Results of the survey on candidate information available for the Nov 2021 Biennial Election

The following is the output from the survey conducted after the 2021 election. There were 146 anonymous responses. While the number is low (compared to the total votes cast) to the extent that these folks (likely engaged) took the time to do so, the insights should be useful. 

There were 4 questions asked
1 - My voting action for this election was via: ballot type (a required question)
2 - How well prepared were you with information on the candidates to make your vote? (numerical response required on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high)) (optional)
3 - What information did you find the most useful? (please be concise in your answer) (optional)
4 - What information do you wish you had? (please  be concise in your answer) (optional )

voting actions pie chart

rating distribution chart

My takeaways

• Continue to provide the info in advance of early voting (to the extent that the candidates cooperate)

• Continue to enable/incentivize the candidates to provide their info

• Continue to be as transparent as possible about the sources of info

• Expand to provide transcripts as a regular feature for the audio/video interviews

While there is feedback looking for more of a ‘summary’ or table to simplify the candidate positions, I personally would hesitate to do so. 

I have provided the open-ended responses in three PDF files.

• Both responses together (good for insight into the individuals’ responses, if blank, there was no response)

• Two files, one with each question response listed together, this should enable a view of common themes such as there may be

• Combined response output ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D3oV_86bXHLy5weclhuY5KQzGcbhWo1m/view?usp=sharing 
• Info received feedback -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D9NhjL-iACsjszDtjsRYFXA2rg-hqntW/view?usp=sharing 
• Info required feedback ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DA9QMopUAzOeLoiUsxwua2-fHKJCRYln/view?usp=sharing 

Results of the survey on candidate information available for the Nov 2021 Biennial Election

Franklin's Complete Streets feedback sought, info promised

Quick Recap:

• The Complete Streets policy was approved by the Town Council earlier this year as a guiding principal for consideration in road construction or renovations. It is a good thing to do.
• The meeting Wednesday was to solicit feedback on a listing of projects that was only available to those who were in person at the meeting to receive the handout. This was shortsighted. The info was promised to be posted to the Town web page Thursday. It could have been done in advance to enable appropriate feedback.
• The listing is preliminary. It will be prioritized and submitted to the State to seek funding for such projects.
• This posting will be updated with the Complete Streets project info when it is posted to the Town page as promised.

Town of Franklin Complete Streets page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/engineering/pages/complete-streets

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting live via the Zoom conference bridge.

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #cs0922  https://twitter.com/search?q=%23cs0922&src=typed_query  

Complete Streets meeting agenda:

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/events/2021-09-22_complete_streets_public_meeting_1.pdf

Presentation doc from February 2021 ->     https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XSOruj9Z6L9rJD5E6dhQsdKq0s3ITIv0/view?usp=sharing

 

Map in Chamber with stickies on it indicating community input

• Complete streets meeting begins, live reporting underway via the Zoom session #cs0922 
• DPW Director Cantoreggi and Town Engineer M Maglio leading session on complete streets after opening by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen #cs0922
• Map in Chamber with stickies on it indicating community input. Looking to summarize the plan for submission to State and hopefully will be generate some funding for the projects #cs0922
• Asked for info on priority projects, to be posted to town page Thursday. Also took time to provide feedback on sight lines (actually purview of building commissioner Gus Brown), issue of utility poles blocking sidewalk access, (a constant fight by Town with utilities) #cs0922
• Also added question on overhang of bushes or trees on sidewalk that hinders a tall walker (like me). Send Brutus an email as I encounter those as they come under his tree warden role. #cs0922
• Meeting adjourns after no other questions or comments #cs0922

 

Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

Merry Christmas

Amid the darkness of winter, there is more light each day. I hope you are all able to spend some quality time with family and friends.

If you need some additional reading, feel free to cruise through the archives. The archives contain over 21,000 posts going back to 2007.

• 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.

Merry Christmas

Representative Roy Hosts a Community Conversation with Seniors

Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) is hosting a community conversation with senior citizens to discuss issues that impact their lives and to provide information on the various state programs available to them. Area seniors, their loved ones, and caregivers are invited to the event that will take place on Friday, January 15, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St, Franklin, MA 02038.

Roy's special guest for the event is State Representative Denise C. Garlick (D-Needham), the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs. Garlick, who is also a registered nurse, will speak about the $3.5 billion dollars allocated to the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and MassHealth for senior programs. Aside from MassHealth, Garlick will address other funded initiatives including homecare and nursing homes, prescription drug assistance, council on aging funding, protective services, elder housing, and nutrition programs.

Community Conversation with Seniors

In addition to the presentation, Roy and Garlick will field questions and take feedback on what areas need improvement. Attendees will also be given surveys to submit anonymously, which ask about access to transportation, ability to afford basic necessities and healthcare, senior employment opportunities in the community, and availability of senior housing. The survey results will help the Committee on Elder Affairs set priorities for the coming year in an effort to serve elders more effectively.

"We are looking forward to listening to the issues, needs and concerns of the seniors in the community in order to plan for the future," said Rep. Roy. "Expanding access to elder programs is something myself and Representative Garlick explore regularly, and it is our hope that this community conversation will be provide additional data and input to inform the decision-making at the state level. I have had the pleasure of meeting with the seniors for the past three years and I am delighted that the House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Senior Affairs is coming to Franklin to further these discussions."

"Twenty years from now the majority of people in Massachusetts will be 60 years old or older," said Rep. Garlick. "We have to make sure that the resources we have are meeting the needs. I'm coming to Franklin to get feedback from seniors on whether what we are doing is enough or whether we need to do more in certain areas."

All seniors are welcome, with a special invitation to seniors from Rep. Roy's district of Franklin and Medway. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Rep. Roy's State House office at (617) 722-2020. You can also stop by Room 527A in the State House, or email his aide Chris at Christopher.Yancich@MAhouse.gov.

New layout

For new visitors, you may not notice the change.

For regular visitors, I hope the new 3 column layout works better for you.

I have finally found that "round tuit" to get this accomplished.

What you haven't gotten a round tuit?

You can find one here:




Feedback on the new layout is welcome via the usual methods, email (see right box) or comment (below).

Survey says

Yes, this has been operating long enough (five months) to run a few surveys to generate some feedback on how to continue to develop this site, or not.

The survey has one question. You can find it on the right column.

Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback!