Showing posts with label president. Show all posts
Showing posts with label president. Show all posts

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Dean College Swears In First Campus Police Sergeants In New Campus Police And Safety Department

"To continue prioritizing the safety of our students and community, Dean College is updating the separate departments of Campus Safety and Law Enforcement Services to one entity: the Campus Police and Safety Department, beginning June 1, 2023.

“Dean College has always been committed to providing a safe and secure community, where all members may experience academic, professional and personal success,” said Chief Ken Corkran, Assistant Vice President for Law Enforcement Services & Risk Management. “This redesigned departmental model of both sworn police officers as well as non-sworn campus safety officers will allow us to utilize a combination of community building, safety awareness and police presence in order to ensure campus safety and security to the campus community.”   

This transition is designed to provide even greater service and awareness to the community, as well as further integrate the department into the campus culture."
Continue reading the article at Dean -> 

Dean College Swears In First Campus Police Sergeants In New Campus Police And Safety Departmen
Dean College Swears In First Campus Police Sergeants In New Campus Police And Safety Department

Monday, February 13, 2023

Good Deeds: Happy George Washington’s Birthday

By William P. O’Donnell, Norfolk County Register of Deeds

For me and many of the residents of Norfolk County, President’s Day has always held a special significance. Yes, it is a day off for some, but it is also a day to reflect on what a special form of government the United States of America has. People may not know that four of the forty-six Presidents of the United States were born right here in Norfolk County, more than any other county in the United States.

Despite this day holding significance for so many, very few actually know the origins of the holiday and why President’s Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February.

President’s Day was originally established in 1885 to recognize the accomplishments of and memorialize the first President of the United States, George Washington. The concept of a day celebrating a President dates back to 1800, the year following the death of Washington, whose February 22nd birthday became an annual day of remembrance.

The unofficial holiday gained widespread popularity, particularly because, even at that time, George Washington was considered a legend. So, in 1879, President Rutherford B. Hayes signed legislation to make February 22nd a federal holiday, but it took another six years to be celebrated nationally.

Delving deeper into the history of this day reveals that even though most people know the federal holiday as President’s Day, neither Congress nor any President has ever specified that the name of the holiday observed as Washington’s Birthday be changed to “President’s Day.”

If the official name of the holiday is “Washington’s Birthday,” why is it not still held on February 22nd, George Washington’s birthday? It is because in 1968, Congress passed the Monday Holiday Law to provide uniform annual observances of certain legal public holidays on Mondays. By creating more 3-day weekends, Congress hoped to stimulate the economy and give workers more time off.

This law changed two aspects of the holiday; first, it was adapted to also honor the birth of United States President Abraham Lincoln (February 12), and second, it was moved to be observed between both birthdays on the third Monday in February.

This position on the February calendar actually makes it so the celebration of Washington’s birthday will never actually be held on the 22nd; the latest it can be is the 21st. In fact, of the four Presidents with February birthdays, George Washington (the 22nd), Abraham Lincoln (the 12th), William Henry Harrison (the 9th), and Ronald Reagan (the 6th), none have birthdays that can coincide with the holiday.

Why is the federal holiday celebrating Washington’s birthday known as Presidents’ Days? The answer is that, regardless of its noble origins, the holiday has been redefined, as it was in 1885, from a day of remembrance to a day of celebration. For many, the day has become a time to honor all Presidents, past and present. 

Good Deeds: Happy George Washington’s Birthday
Happy George Washington’s Birthday
Here at the Registry of Deeds, we take a moment to honor the lives of four Presidents born right here in Norfolk County.

The second President John Adams was born on October 30, 1735, in a section of Quincy that was formerly part of Braintree. Adams graduated from Harvard College in 1755. He taught grammar school in Worcester, and in 1758 he moved back to Braintree and began practicing law in nearby Boston. The 1780 Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, drafted by Adams, is the world’s oldest functioning written constitution. It served as a model for the United States Constitution, which was written in 1787.

The sixth President, John Quincy Adams, was also born in a part of Quincy that was split off from Braintree. He attended Harvard College and was the son of John and Abigail Adams. He served as a diplomat, foreign minister, ambassador to foreign nations, and treaty negotiator. John Quincy Adams drafted the Monroe Doctrine. He was one of the greatest diplomats and Secretaries of State in American history. He became President in the 1824 election, defeating Andrew Jackson. Following his four-year term, Adams became a member of the House of Representatives, where he conducted a consistent and dramatic fight against the expansion of slavery.

The thirty-fifth President, John F. Kennedy, was born on May 29, 1917, at 83 Beals Street, Brookline, a three-story house built in 1909, located in a middle-class neighborhood. He graduated from Harvard University in 1940. During World War II, Kennedy was a PT boat commander in the Pacific theater. After the war, Kennedy represented the 11th Congressional District of the U.S. House of Representatives. He then won election to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts. While serving in the Senate, he published “Profiles in Courage,” which won the Pulitzer Prize.

What is not common knowledge is that the forty-first President, George Herbert Walker Bush, was born in Norfolk County on June 12, 1924, at 173 Adams Street, Milton. Bush spent only the first year of his life in Milton. In 1925, his parents, Prescott Bush (a Connecticut senator from 1952 to 1963) and Dorothy Walker Bush, moved the family to Connecticut. The home at 173 Adams Street has changed hands several times since the Bush family lived there and remains a private residence to this day. In 1997, at a ceremony attended by the former President, a sign and plaque were unveiled outside the home to mark its historic significance.

Let us take a moment to honor and celebrate President George Washington and all Presidents of The United States who have represented this great nation. We should also take a moment to remember the exceptional men and women who have helped shape the nation that these Presidents have been elected to represent, however you choose to commemorate this day.

Monday, January 16, 2023

Pantherbook: "Jennifer O’Malley Dillon speaks with Mr. Walsh’s Class"

"Recently, Mr. Walsh’s class had the fantastic opportunity to speak via Zoom with Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, the current deputy chief of staff in the Biden administration and FHS alumnus. O’Malley Dillon talked to the class about her time at Franklin High School, her daily work, important things she has been a part of, advice she has, and of course answered a few questions.

Life as the Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House is full of bustling days filled with everything from hiring personnel to dealing with international affairs. According to O’Malley Dillon, she runs and oversees daily operations at the White House. This includes helping solve large-scale issues such as problems with Ukraine, climate change, and inflation, traveling with the president to support and plan his visits, and running the military office. Although this seems very stressful to most, O’Malley Dillon loves politics, and being right in the middle of it all seems to be where she is most at home. "
Continue reading the article on Pantherbook ->

Pantherbook: "Jennifer O’Malley Dillon speaks with Mr. Walsh’s Class"
Pantherbook: "Jennifer O’Malley Dillon speaks with Mr. Walsh’s Class"

Sunday, September 18, 2022

The Economist reads | The hunt for votes

Earlier this month (Sep 4, 2022), The Economist published an article on the 5 best books about Presidential elections. The choices were recommended by their former Washington correspondent. Oddly, the identity of the correspondent is not revealed. The author of the article is not identified. Aside from that matter, the listing of the books chosen is well explained.

The books are:

  1. A Magnificent Catastrophe: The Tumultuous Election of 1800, America’s First Presidential Campaign. By Edward Larson
  2. The Making of the President: 1960, by T.H. White
  3. Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail. By Hunter S. Thompson
  4. What It Takes. By Richard Ben Cramer
  5. Losers: The Road to Everyplace but the White House. By Michael Lewis

With the presidential election coming in 2024, this might be good preparation.

What book (or books) have you read on presidential elections, or elections in general, that you would recommend? Send me an email, or add your book via comment.


The Economist article can be found ->
https://www.economist.com/the-economist-reads/2022/09/04/what-to-read-to-understand-american-election-campaigns (subscription required, but it is free via email to the online version. You'll get notifications and offers to subscribe to the print version.)

Thursday, June 2, 2022

Dean College announces Elmore as President, adds a Chancellor, and names Augustus to that role

The Dean College Board of Trustees announced Wednesday that Kenneth Elmore, J.D. has been selected to serve as the College’s 14th President and that Edward M. Augustus Jr. has been named the school’s first-ever Chancellor. Elmore will replace current President Paula M. Rooney, Ed. D., who announced last year that she would be ending her tenure after 27 years of leadership at the College.
https://www.dean.edu/news-events/story/dean-college-invests-in-its-future-as-it-announces-new-president-and-new-position-of-chancellor/
The Dean College Board of Trustees is proud to announce Kenneth Elmore, J.D. as the 14th President of Dean College. Elmore, currently the Associate Provost and Dean of Students at Boston University will be on campus starting July 5, 2022.
https://www.dean.edu/news-events/story/kenneth-elmore-named-14th-president-of-dean-college/
The Dean College Board of Trustees is proud to announce Edward M. Augustus Jr. to the newly formed position of Chancellor. Augustus, the former City Manager of Worcester, Massachusetts will be on campus starting July 5, 2022.
https://www.dean.edu/news-events/story/edward-m-augustus-jr-named-chancellor-of-dean-college/

And the Boston University view 
With his signature bow ties, his boundless energy and broad smile, and an unwavering devotion to the student experience at Boston University—from celebratory to sad—Kenneth Elmore, associate provost and dean of students, has been BU’s most visible campus leader for nearly 20 years. 
Now Elmore (Wheelock’87) is leaving to become president of Dean College, a small private school with 1,200 undergraduate students in Franklin, Mass., about an hour southwest of BU. Starting July 1, he will replace Paula Rooney, who is leaving Dean College after 27 years as president and who recently saw a student hub renamed in her honor—the Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center.

Dean College
Dean College

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Happy Birthday George!


"depending on which calendar you are using, Washington was born on both Feb. 11, 1731, and Feb. 22, 1732. They were the same day. ...
This may sound goofy and old-timey, like bleeding or quill pens, but the modern American government made its own awkward calendar change as recently as 1971, with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. That officially changed the holiday marking Washington’s birthday to the third Monday in February. Depending on the year, the holiday falls anywhere between Feb. 15 and Feb. 21.

It never falls on Washington’s actual birthday, regardless of which calendar you use."

Continue reading this story (subscription maybe required)

George Washington in an engraving from 1859. (iStock)
George Washington in an engraving from 1859. (iStock)

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

"Love Letters to the Presidents" audio recording of State Rep Jeff Roy - 02/13/22

 FM #731 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 731 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the presentation and talk titled “Love Letters to the Presidents”. Franklin’s State Rep Jeff Roy presented at the Franklin Historical Museum on Sunday, Feb 13, 2022 to a full house. Jeff shared his adventures as he traveled to each of the Presidential libraries and museums.


Mary Olsson, Franklin Historical Commission, provides the very brief introduction to Jeff.


The link to the presentation document is included in the show notes.


The recording runs about 1 hour and 53 minutes, so let’s join Jeff on his journey to the Presidential libraries and museums.


Note: I think you should be able to follow along. While Jeff doesn’t provide page numbers, he does talk to a number of the photos and identifies which one is which on a page.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-731-love-letters-to-the-presidents-ma-state-rep-jeff-roy-02-13-22


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


Rep. Jeff Roy

Link to the presentation document -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q7qkNZZzOcYLV9-WGt8AUYBhQx1RvxNn/view?usp=sharing 


Link to the National Archives -> https://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/visit 


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


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/ or www.franklin.news/


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"


"Love Letters to the Presidents" audio recording of State Rep Jeff Roy
 "Love Letters to the Presidents" audio recording of State Rep Jeff Roy


Thursday, January 20, 2022

Franklin Historical Museum: "Love letters to Presidents" - Feb 13, 2022

This month's Second Sunday Speaker Series features State Rep Jeffrey Roy, with his timely presentation titled, "Love letters to Presidents". Over the past several years, Jeff has made it his mission and goal to travel the country visiting each Presidential Library. His travels, his impressions, and his stories will be shared in this educational and entertaining account of his quest. 

Join us Sunday, February 13 for "Love letters to Presidents". Doors open at 1:00, presentation starts at 1:15. Admission is always free, donations are always welcome.

Admission is always free. We are ADA compliant with an elevator access in the back of the building. Our gift shop is open year round. 

When visiting the museum, please consider donating a non perishable food item, in the collection box in the front lobby, for the Franklin Food Pantry. Come in and find your history. 


While waiting for this event, you can listen to the Toward a More Perfect Union episode where Rep Jeff Roy talks about his trips to the Presidential libraries


Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St
Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St 

Saturday, February 13, 2021

Town of Franklin, MA: Offices will be closed on Monday, Feb 15

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) tweeted on Fri, Feb 12, 2021:

"ToF Offices will be closed on Monday for the President's Day holiday.  We will reopen at 8:00am on Tuesday."
 
Shared from Twitter:  https://t.co/y0H80PLN3E
 
Town of Franklin, MA: Offices will be closed on Monday, Feb 15
Town of Franklin, MA: Offices will be closed on Monday, Feb 15

 
 


Tuesday, January 19, 2021

"all of the social science shows that if someone really believes a conspiracy theory, it is just about impossible to change their minds”

"President Trump stands as a singular figure in American history for his willingness to entertain conspiracy theories from the Oval Office, and none has been more damaging or far reaching than his unsubstantiated claim that the 2020 election was rigged against him. One out of every three Americans believes that there was widespread fraud in the last presidential election, according to a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll, despite no evidence to support that view. Two in three Republicans believe so.

The social conditions that brought so many people to believe the falsehoods Trump has told about the election and a litany of other issues took root decades before he became a political figure and will extend far beyond the four years of his administration, according to scholars of disinformation and conspiratorial thinking.

“What’s unique about Donald Trump is that he took advantage of this widespread distrust of government and media to say everyone is lying to you except for me. We have never had a president so devoted to spreading disinformation and trying to overturn an election,” said Kathryn Olmsted, a historian at the University of California at Davis. “The people who stormed the Capitol are absolutely convinced that the election was stolen. They’re not being opportunistic; they really believe this. And all of the social science shows that if someone really believes a conspiracy theory, it is just about impossible to change their minds.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

Friday, January 15, 2021

Emergency relief plan announced


"President-elect Joe Biden laid out a $1.9 trillion emergency relief plan Thursday night that will serve as an early test of his ability to steer the nation out of a pandemic disaster and rapidly deteriorating economy — and his promise to unite a divided Congress.

The wide-ranging package is designed to take aim at the twin crises Biden will confront upon taking office Wednesday, with provisions delivering direct aid to American families, businesses and communities, and a major focus on coronavirus testing and vaccine production and delivery as the pandemic surges."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

"A remarkable GOP admission: Undermining the electoral college threatens our best path to the White House"

"The last two Republicans to win a majority of the popular vote in a presidential contest were father and son: George H.W. Bush in 1988 and George W. Bush in 2004. At no other point since the elder Bush’s first term came to a sudden end with the 1992 contest has a Republican won the popular vote at all, much less with a majority of votes cast. While Republicans have controlled the White House for 12 of the past 20 years, only four of those years have resulted from a Republican having gotten more votes than his Democratic opponent.

This is not a new observation. Particularly after President Trump won the White House in 2016 despite losing the popular vote by nearly 3 million, there’s been an enormous amount of attention paid to the role the electoral college plays in determining the winner of the presidential contest. What in 2000 was something of a fluke — George W. Bush narrowly won the electoral vote while narrowly losing the popular — 16 years later became an eyesore. Trump is president thanks to about 78,000 votes in three states, despite far more Americans having preferred Hillary Clinton."

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Inside the deal: "There was still one important person to persuade: the president"

From the New York Times:
"A week before Thanksgiving, a small group of moderate senators gathered in the spacious living room of Senator Lisa Murkowski’s home on Capitol Hill to embark on what they considered an urgent assignment.

They were there — eating Tuscan takeout as they sat socially distanced, with the windows open to let the cold air circulate as a coronavirus precaution — to talk about how to get the Senate, polarized and paralyzed on nearly every issue, working again.

They were also determined to find a way to deliver a more immediate kind of relief, brainstorming how to break a monthslong partisan stalemate over providing a new round of federal aid to millions of Americans and businesses buckling under the economic weight of the coronavirus pandemic."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/21/us/politics/stimulus-deal-congress.html

And given the late news that the President is signaling that he would not to sign the bill as drafted after saying he would, we wait. That doesn't take away from the story. The story on how to broker a deal via compromise and collaboration still is a good message on what works for rational folks.
 

Friday, December 18, 2020

Library of Congress: Completes Digitization of 23 Early Presidential Collections

Library of Congress Completes Digitization of 23 Early Presidential Collections

Portraits of George Washington, Abe Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt

The Library of Congress has completed a more than two decade-long initiative to digitize the papers of nearly two dozen early presidents. The Library holds the papers of 23 presidents from George Washington to Calvin Coolidge, all of which have been digitized and are now available online (https://www.loc.gov/collections/).

Click here for more information (https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-20-085/?loclr=ealn).

Saturday, September 5, 2020

"Objectively, the nation’s economic conditions are still dire"

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

On the campaign trail with President Donald Trump, the pandemic is largely over, the economy is roaring back, and murderous mobs are infiltrating America’s suburbs.

With Democrat Joe Biden, the pandemic is raging, the economy isn’t lifting the working class, and systemic racism threatens Black lives across America.

The first week of the fall sprint to Election Day crystallized dizzyingly different versions of reality as the Republican incumbent and his Democratic challenger trekked from Washington and Delaware to Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and back, each man on an urgent mission to sell his particular message to anxious voters.

All the conflicting messages carry at least a sliver of truth, some much more than others, as the candidates fight to navigate one of the most turbulent election seasons in modern history. And beyond legitimate crises threatening public health, the economy and public safety, a new divide erupted Friday over the military.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)