What is the citizens agenda for Franklin?

One reason many folks are happy the election is over is the end to campaign ads. One problem remains in that the media which has been demonized by the President needs to change. 

We can not continue without folks actively participating in a real civil discourse and expect to get anywhere. Jay Rosen, professor of journalism at NYU has a proposal that coincidentally ties in with something I have started doing and will do more of. It is not a new idea, it actually originated in 1992.

He proposes a single question for campaign coverage. "What do you want the candidates to be discussing as they compete for votes?" I would modify that question for Franklin to be one first asked by Eamon Earls: "What should Franklin look like in 2028?" 2028 would be the 250 anniversary of our founding.

"It’s called a citizens agenda because that’s what it is, a list of action items and declared priorities. What campaign coverage should achieve is serious discussion (among candidates, journalists, campaign observers… and the public) of the stuff on the citizen’s agenda. Election year journalism succeeds, in this model, when it raises awareness, clarity, knowledge and the overall quality of discourse around the various items on the citizen’s agenda. It fails when it permits confusion, ignorance, neglect, demagoguery and silence to prevail on those same items. Truth, fairness, accuracy and non-interference in an outcome that should be determined by voters, not the media: these remain bedrock principles. But there is an agenda here. Journalists should not hesitate to take action on it. They should be clear with themselves and up front with voters about what they’re doing. This isn’t the View from Nowhere."

You can follow the tweet thread here:

'Campaign coverage: the road not taken.' There was a path the American press could have walked, but did not. This alternative way was illuminated as far back as 1992. Our political journalists declined it. And here we are. This thread is that story. 1/

— Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) November 6, 2018

https://twitter.com/jayrosen_nyu/status/1059864337928671233


As an alternative, you can read his blog post with the proposal 
http://pressthink.org/2010/08/the-citizens-agenda-in-campaign-coverage/


The 'election collection' can be found here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/10/election-collection-2018.html

Election Information for Nov 2018

In the News: Sunshine Week articles and links to be aware of

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

"We’ve become so accustomed to frequently and easily accessing information on demand — from more sources and in more forms than at any other time in history — that it’s easy to forget how quickly our information landscape has evolved and what that evolution means for us as individuals, as news consumers and as participants in a democracy. 

It can also be easy to forget how much the information we choose to read, watch and hear really matters. It’s the basis for many of the decisions we make — for ourselves, for our families and for our civic society. It helps us determine the kind of lives we lead, the social and political structures we want to change or preserve and the kind of world we inhabit. It is the very foundation of both personal empowerment and a robust democracy. 

To be meaningfully engaged with the world around us, we must be informed. But what does that mean in an age of information overload in which so much “content” isn’t what it appears to be? How, in other words, can we know what to believe?"

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/opinion/20180320/sunshine-week-importance-of-recognizing-fighting-against-fake

“All politics is local.” This famous quote by Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, the former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and proud son of Massachusetts, is used so often that it often seems cliché. But its frequent usage underscores the profound truth that drives decisions made by those in government, whether it be at city or town hall, the state house or the U.S. Capitol, and even the White House. 

In this regard it is critical that citizens feel empowered, and in fact encouraged, to communicate with their elected and appointed officials utilizing both traditional and new, innovative means of communication. 

The advent of social media has impacted every sector of society, with both positive and negative consequences. The internet and the explosive expansion of the use of handheld devices and tablets have facilitated new means of communication and commerce. People now email and text much more frequently, reducing the utilization of landline telephones at home or work. This technology has lowered the cost of entry into sectors of the economy and created new, disruptive businesses such as Lyft, Uber, Airbnb and Venmo, a mobile payment service."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/opinion/20180320/sunshine-week-new-amp-traditional-ways-to-approach-your-elected-officials

"Want to be a more informed and engaged citizen? Here are suggested websites: 

U.S. Congress: Members of Congress and tracking legislation, congress.gov. 

Watch live and video of the Senate, senate.gov/floor/index.htm and the House, at houselive.gov. 

Federal Election Commission: Campaign financing in federal elections, including how much campaigns are raising and spending, and who’s contributing, fec.gov. 

Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance: Campaign financing in state and local elections, how much campaigns are raising and spending, and who’s contributing, ocpf.us."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/opinion/20180320/tools-to-becoming-more-engaged-citizen

screen grab of  The News Literacy Project

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

How can you help?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors.
If you don't like this, please let me know.

If you would like to be more involved, write an article or two, please reach out and let me know.

See something, say something

On the anniversary of Sandy Hook, CBS did this news piece:






If the video above doesn't play properly, try this link
http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/schools-training-students-to-look-out-for-warning-signs-four-years-after-newtown-massacre

Networking Event - Jun 12

Charles Tashjian, Publisher of Local Town Pages, would like to invite you to his Free Networking event.
Up to 100 attendees are expected. Refreshments and coffee will be served.

When:  June 12th 9:00am –12:00pm

Where: This Free Networking event to be held at The Thayer House, 2B Oak Street, Rt 109 Medway, MA 02053. Thayer House is located next to Choate Park.

Action: You can RSVP by June 6th with your information to be included in the Network booklet that will be handed out at the event. To register e-mail publisher@localtownpages.com

networking

Local Town Pages publishes the monthly Franklin newspaper delivered via the US Postal service.
http://www.franklintownnews.com/

NECN News report on Chestnut St

A link to the NECN news report on the situation with 2 children found 'unresponsive' at a home on Chestnut St here in Franklin

Franklin's Wendy's new and improved (video)

The new Wendy's opened on RT 140 here in Franklin has made the news as it is one of the first of 10 stores and one of two in MA to convert to this new format.

news and subscription options

Franklin uses its webpage to post important news from each of its departments. There are two good examples of this type of announcement to share today:

• The Dept of Health has learned that the number of cases of West Nile and EEE viruses has increased and re-issues their caution about contact with mosquitoes.

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/019410D9-000F8513

• The Cultural Council awards grants to deserving organizations and programs each year. This years application deadline is approaching October 15th.

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01979013-000F8513

For information on how to make an application visit http://www.mass-culture.org/


Note: Franklin could elect to turn on or enable an RSS service so that finding out about these announcements would be easier. Franklin could also use these kinds of announcements in their own email notifications. They have explored email notifications and seem to have stopped. As noted elsewhere on this page today, to be successful requires persistence.


In the meantime, you need to visit the Franklin page regularly to find new items on the front page. Trying to find new items buried within each department or committee page takes far too much time.

Of course, regular readers of Franklin Matters have multiple options to find out what is happening. You can

• subscribe to the daily newsletter
• subscribe to the RSS feed
• our get a selection each day on Facebook

You can subscribe to your choice of notification here http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html

News from Our Town Publishing / Localtownpages

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

FREE Networking Event Coming Jan 18th Don't Miss Out on This Opportunity to Network Invites you to welcome in 2012 with the first FREE Networking Event of the Year at Raffael's, 1601 Main Street, Walpole January 18th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Refreshments served. Pre-register by January 12th and you are entered to win a FREE ad in one of our 5 newspapers. RSVP: publisher@localtownpages.com We have over 57,000 readers and expect a large turnout.

Forward email This email was sent to our.town@verizon.net by ads@franklintownnews.com |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Our Town Publishing / Localtownpages | 163 Main St, Suite 1 | Medway | MA | 02054

Franklin has two newspapers

Summer time. No school, time for family vacations, time for competition to heat up in the free paper space in Franklin. Yes, it appears that way.

We just returned from a long weekend to find two local papers in our mail. One I am familiar with. Franklin's Local Town Pages has been delivered to Franklin's residents monthly since December 2010. The JN Media Franklin News looked similar. Both delivered as 24 pages.

Many of the ads were the same in both, maybe the competition will be good for the local businesses!

Time will tell if the 'new' paper will stick around. Franklin has seen papers come and go after one edition. The Franklin Local Town Pages is the longest to stick around thus far.



Note: I do get paid a nominal amount for my contributions to the Franklin Local Town Pages.

Update: Franklin Town News

Attention Franklin Residents and Businesses:

I know there has been some confusion this month regarding our paper and a new company with a similar name trying to launch a second Franklin newspaper.

Franklin Localtownpages was launched in December of 2010 and we are a free direct mailed monthly newspaper distributed to all businesses and residents in Franklin. Localtownpages connects the residents to what’s happening in town and will continue to do so by supporting Franklin’s news and happenings. Our publication can also be found online at www.franklintownnews.com with a link to your website via your ad.

The new sales representative for Franklin Localtownpages is Lori Koller, she can be reached at 508-934-9608. If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to call our office at 508-533-4588.

Thank You,
Charles Tashjian, Owner/Publisher



Disclosure: I do receive compensation for my monthly article written for the Franklin Town News.

Franklin, MA: Express Line v2 #3-1

Franklin's Express Line newsletter has just been published.

Express Line Volume 2 - Issue 3-1

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to read the document.

You can subscribe to your own copy of the newsletter by signing up on the Franklin website here. You will have four choices:

• News and Announcements
• Police News and Announcements
• Recycling News
• The Franklin Connection

This newsletter is the first option "News and Announcements"



Franklin, MA

Franklin Town News

The new Franklin Town News arrived in my mailbox today. I think it looks pretty good for a first edition. I look forward to seeing next month's issue already.

What do you think of it?



Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Express Line - v2 #2

Franklin's newsletter - The Express Line is now published and available:

Franklin, MA: Express Line_Nov 1, 2010


You can subscribe to receive your own copy directly to your inbox:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/subscriber-news


Franklin, MA

New paper coming to Franklin

Yes, the Milford Daily News and Wicked Local/Franklin Gazette will get some competition.

I met with Chuck Tashjan of Our Town Publishing recently to discuss his new expansion into Franklin. He has already been publishing a monthly for Medway-Millis and expanded to Norwood earlier this year.

You can view the online version of these papers here:

• Medway-Millis www.millismedwaynews.com 
• Norwood www.norwoodtownnews.com

He is looking to do a monthly newspaper for Franklin beginning in December. The newspaper (likely 12-16 pages) will be delivered via postal mail (not thrown in your driveway).

Contact Chuck, his office number is 508-533-4588

• If you have a local business and would like to advertise
• If you are a local  community group and have good news to share on a monthly basis

Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Express Line - v2 #1

The Express Line, the newsletter from the Franklin Town Administration has just been published. You can read it here:

Franklin Ma Express Line Volume 2 Issue1


You can subscribe to receive your own copy directly to your inbox here:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/subscriber-news

Franklin, MA

Senior Center Newsletter - December

This month's newsletter from the Senior Center:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Note: For Franklin Matters email subscribers, you'll need to click through to the website to view the document.

Franklin Express Line

The new Express Line is now available. If you have not already subscribed to receive this directly via email, I would encourage you to do so.

The subscription form is available on the Town website here

To see what this new Express line looks like, here it is:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

For Franklin Matters email subscribers you will need to click through to the web site to view this document.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

Franklin, MA

In the news - deficit ahead, museum name

Despite passing a $2.7 million override last year to prevent drastic cuts in schools, the town is again facing an estimated $3-$4 million deficit this year, according to Finance Committee Chairman Jim Roche.

State leaders say Franklin, when compared with other towns, is in good fiscal shape and receives more state aid than many of its counterparts.

They have been doing well. My district is one of the highest communities in terms of getting money (from the state),'' said state Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham.

Likewise, state Rep. James Vallee, D-Franklin, said, ``Franklin gets more state aid than almost any other community in Massachusetts, especially with six or seven new buildings.''

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News

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

As part of its move to the former senior center on West Central Street, the Horace Mann Museum is getting a new image.

For starters, Horace Mann is getting the boot in favor of a less confusing title that does not imply a museum for the historical figure, said Carol Harper, chairwoman of the Historical Commission. The Historical Commission, which runs the museum, wants the public to know the building showcases Franklin artifacts - such as straw hats manufactured here by the same company that supplied hats for the movie, "Gone with the Wind," Harper said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News

Tough choices this year

"I think that it'd be optimistic to get a level-funded budget," Nutting said of Franklin's finances. "In other words, I anticipate the town will have to make some very difficult choices about where cuts will be made."

Read the Milford Daily News article about local town leaders and what 2008 will bring here.

Franklin in the News

In Michael Morton's recap of top stories on the political front during 2007, Franklin finds a couple of entries amongst them; the first operational override passes, agreement is reached with the developer on the Center Commons project, and the school departments fiscal woes continue.

Read Michael's full story here.