Received an update on tonight's debate:
In case you didn't hear, due to a power outage at HMMS, the debate has been moved to the Council Chambers at the Franklin Municipal Building. Still starts at 7:30 PM
Monday, July 30, 2012
Debate moved to Council Chambers - Municipal Bldg
Received an update on tonight's debate:
More questions for Democratic Debate
The debate this evening will NOT be available live via cable. It will be recorded and available for replay. So you'll have a choice of watching the Olympics, the Red Sox or coming out to the debate in person!
In addition to the questions posted yesterday, I have come up with some more.
Why am I posting the questions in advance?
One, the issues we face shouldn't be a secret.
Two, it is more important to find out what the answers to these questions are.
Franklin and most MA communities are faced with Other Pension and Employee Benefits (OPEB) requirements that are underfunded. What is your position on what the Legislature can do to help?
Gov Patrick is reported to be signing the Casino proposal for Taunton today. At least one news article says it will be challenged because the return to the state is “excessive”. Whether you’ll get a chance as a legislator to have a vote in that matter is open right now. What do you think about casinos as a source of state revenue?
There has been talk of the Legislature revising the Chap 70 funding formula. Franklin is a significant beneficiary of these funds. What would be your position on a revision of the formula?
What is your position on the State budget priorities? Should MA government focus on infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.) or education, or??
What is your position on taxes overall? How should the business of providing government services be funded?
What is your position on usage fees? Are there cases where it makes sense to use them in lieu of a more broadly based tax?
What is your position on the governance of utilities, their service rates and performance?
The Franklin library, along with other departments in Franklin, faces an annual budget issue. The MA Library Board of Governors is the body that provides oversight to the library systems. What is your position on what the Legislature should or should not do to help?
In addition to the questions posted yesterday, I have come up with some more.
Why am I posting the questions in advance?
One, the issues we face shouldn't be a secret.
Two, it is more important to find out what the answers to these questions are.
Franklin and most MA communities are faced with Other Pension and Employee Benefits (OPEB) requirements that are underfunded. What is your position on what the Legislature can do to help?
Gov Patrick is reported to be signing the Casino proposal for Taunton today. At least one news article says it will be challenged because the return to the state is “excessive”. Whether you’ll get a chance as a legislator to have a vote in that matter is open right now. What do you think about casinos as a source of state revenue?
There has been talk of the Legislature revising the Chap 70 funding formula. Franklin is a significant beneficiary of these funds. What would be your position on a revision of the formula?
What is your position on the State budget priorities? Should MA government focus on infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.) or education, or??
What is your position on taxes overall? How should the business of providing government services be funded?
What is your position on usage fees? Are there cases where it makes sense to use them in lieu of a more broadly based tax?
What is your position on the governance of utilities, their service rates and performance?
The Franklin library, along with other departments in Franklin, faces an annual budget issue. The MA Library Board of Governors is the body that provides oversight to the library systems. What is your position on what the Legislature should or should not do to help?
Big Y traffic controls in blinking mode
The final preparations to repave RT 140 in front of the new Big Y are underway.
The top layer of RT 140's surface has been removed in preparation for a new layer of asphalt.
New traffic controls are in blinking mode.
All this in preparation for the Aug 23rd opening for the Big Y
Related posts on the Big Y:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/big-y-hitting-mailbox.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/franklins-big-y-getting-ready.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/06/big-y-plans-to-hire-150-plus.html
The top layer of RT 140's surface has been removed in preparation for a new layer of asphalt.
New traffic controls are in blinking mode.
All this in preparation for the Aug 23rd opening for the Big Y
Related posts on the Big Y:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/big-y-hitting-mailbox.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/franklins-big-y-getting-ready.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/06/big-y-plans-to-hire-150-plus.html
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Big Y hitting the mailbox
If your house is anything like mine, you have now received the third mailing from the Big Y. Each mailer opens to tout that they "not just another grocery store". In the past two weeks, there have been coupons. The coupons all are valid from Aug 23rd (the store opening day) until Sep 19.
In related news, for those wishing that this had been a Trader Joe's - they will open at Patriot Place on Sep 7th
In related news, for those wishing that this had been a Trader Joe's - they will open at Patriot Place on Sep 7th
What about the debate?
The Democratic candidates are having a debate on Monday evening, July 30. The Thomas Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School will be the location for this event. It begins at 7:30 and should end by 9:00 PM.
More details here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/10th-norfolk-democratic-candidate.html
If you have a question you'd like to ask the candidates, you can add your question to the list here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/what-would-you-ask-candidate.html
The current list of questions can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/10th-norfolk-collected-questions-for.html
More details here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/10th-norfolk-democratic-candidate.html
If you have a question you'd like to ask the candidates, you can add your question to the list here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/what-would-you-ask-candidate.html
The current list of questions can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/10th-norfolk-collected-questions-for.html
10th Norfolk: Collected questions for Democratic debate
My questions:
What have you done or are planning to do to prepare for serving Franklin in the Legislature?
Two part Q: What do you see as Franklin’s key issue at the State level and how do you plan to address it?
Do you have any relationships with folks in or around the State House or in the Legislature that you can leverage when you are in office to help serve Franklin? Please elaborate.
Based upon the flyer on the door, it seems like you are both walking the neighborhoods. What is one thing that going door to door does for your campaign?
How much will websites and other social media tools help your campaign?
Questions submitted by others in Franklin:
If elected what changes would you propose to help commuters from Franklin/Medway afford to get into Boston for work?
What are your thoughts about the MA higher education costs. Is there anything you would propose to help more students afford MA State higher education?
Local officials often complain to voters that costly state mandates tie their hands and prevent them from making common-sense fiscal policies for the town. What will you do as state rep to remove burdensome state mandates and un-tie local officials' hands?
What will be your priorities if you are selected to serve in the state legislature?
How can we make health care in Massachusetts more affordable for the commonwealth, cities, towns, businesses and individuals?
How do you feel about what Gov Patrick has done so far about containing health care costs?
My question to all is This... I think all of you are educated well, are lawyers and have held local seats on a board but what Policical experience so you have that I may not know about that you feel makes you qualified to be sucessful at this job?
Don't see a question topic here that you would like an answer to, add yours to the mix via email or the form here http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/what-would-you-ask-candidate.html
What have you done or are planning to do to prepare for serving Franklin in the Legislature?
Two part Q: What do you see as Franklin’s key issue at the State level and how do you plan to address it?
Do you have any relationships with folks in or around the State House or in the Legislature that you can leverage when you are in office to help serve Franklin? Please elaborate.
Based upon the flyer on the door, it seems like you are both walking the neighborhoods. What is one thing that going door to door does for your campaign?
How much will websites and other social media tools help your campaign?
Questions submitted by others in Franklin:
If elected what changes would you propose to help commuters from Franklin/Medway afford to get into Boston for work?
What are your thoughts about the MA higher education costs. Is there anything you would propose to help more students afford MA State higher education?
Local officials often complain to voters that costly state mandates tie their hands and prevent them from making common-sense fiscal policies for the town. What will you do as state rep to remove burdensome state mandates and un-tie local officials' hands?
What will be your priorities if you are selected to serve in the state legislature?
How can we make health care in Massachusetts more affordable for the commonwealth, cities, towns, businesses and individuals?
How do you feel about what Gov Patrick has done so far about containing health care costs?
My question to all is This... I think all of you are educated well, are lawyers and have held local seats on a board but what Policical experience so you have that I may not know about that you feel makes you qualified to be sucessful at this job?
Don't see a question topic here that you would like an answer to, add yours to the mix via email or the form here http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/what-would-you-ask-candidate.html
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Blueberry time
Gianetti's is open on Fri and Sat from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Related post with additional information
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/gianettis-u-pick-blueberries-newsletter.html
Related post with additional information
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/gianettis-u-pick-blueberries-newsletter.html
"Is tooth health more important than brain health?"
From the Franklin Fluoride Council via email this week:
Harvard Study Finds Fluoride Lowers IQ
Excerpt 1:
It is time for the Town of Franklin's Board of Health to do the right thing. Lift their risky fluoridation order so we can start drinking our water without worry like our neighbors do.
Big news. The truth about artificial fluoridation is finally coming to light. And it is much worse than we thought.
Harvard Study Finds Fluoride Lowers IQ
Excerpt 1:
NEW YORK, July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Harvard University researchers' review of fluoride/brain studies concludes "our results support the possibility of adverse effects of fluoride exposures on children's neurodevelopment." It was published online July 20 in Environmental Health Perspectives, a US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences' journal (1), reports the NYS Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. (NYSCOF)
Excerpt 2:
"It is senseless to keep subjecting our children to this ongoing fluoridation experiment to satisfy the political agenda of special-interest groups," says attorney Paul Beeber, NYSCOF President. "Even if fluoridation reduced cavities, is tooth health more important than brain health? It's time to put politics aside and stop artificial fluoridation everywhere," says Beeber.
Full article here:
http://www.reuters.com/
PS:
http://www.reuters.com/
PS:
Watch for Franklin Fluoride Council's upcoming mailings to Franklin parents warning them about the now-documented dangers of administering uncontrolled dosages of industrial-grade sodium fluoride to children, without parental consent and without even a minimum of medical best practices observed.
The Board of Health is administering a controversial drug without a license and without even the patients' consent. This is a clear violation of Nuremberg principles and basic human rights.
It is time for the Town of Franklin's Board of Health to do the right thing. Lift their risky fluoridation order so we can start drinking our water without worry like our neighbors do.
More about the Franklin Fluoride Council can be found on their web page
Friday, July 27, 2012
Franklin Farmers Market: noon to 6:00 PM
The Farmers Market is open today on the Town Common from noon to 6:00 PM.
Where in Franklin is the Town Common?
View Larger Map
"for the good of the whole"
On my commute to work, I used to be able to open my laptop, read a book, or take a nap when I used the commuter rail. Using my car is the only practical option these days so I have found some internet radio shows or podcasts to listen to while driving. One of the regular listens is to Krista Tippett and her On Being podcast. In this show she talks with David Sloan Wilson about the evolution of a city. Binghamton, NY is where he lives and works. Binghamton has a population of about 50,000. Not too much larger than Franklin which is reported to be about 33,000.
Later in their conversation, David outlines the 8 design features for well functioning social group. If you only review this listing, it should be worth your time.
The full text transcript of the podcast can be found here
http://www.onbeing.org/program/transcript/4726#main_content
You can listen to the audio podcast here
http://www.onbeing.org/program/evolving-city/4720/audio
Additional information and more links can be found here
http://www.onbeing.org/program/evolving-city/4720
Ms. Tippett: Again, this is another thing that you point out that just makes logical sense, but it's a thought that I hadn't quite conceptualized before. You know, you say cities decay like other organisms and Binghamton, as you said before, is a place that's like many places and has some of the same issues now that many American cities are struggling with, unemployment, an industrial base that's shifted. You say cities decay like other organisms and also the people take their cues from environments and that they behave in disorderly ways when they're in a disorderly environment.
Dr. Wilson: Yeah, that's a great point and there's a lot of science which is showing that our instincts for what we do are largely subconscious. So our conscious decisions about how to behave are the tip of an iceberg of decisions that take place below the surface of consciousness.They talk of an experiment and the insights it provides into how our first impressions, instincts, help to drive our behavior. Not terribly surprising if you really think about it. The implications of this and how it can be used in his 'pro-social' terms are interesting.
Later in their conversation, David outlines the 8 design features for well functioning social group. If you only review this listing, it should be worth your time.
The full text transcript of the podcast can be found here
http://www.onbeing.org/program/transcript/4726#main_content
You can listen to the audio podcast here
http://www.onbeing.org/program/evolving-city/4720/audio
Additional information and more links can be found here
http://www.onbeing.org/program/evolving-city/4720
Thursday, July 26, 2012
10th Norfolk - Democratic candidate debate - Jul 30, 2012
Mark your calendar! Hold the date!
For additional information on the candidates, you can visit their websites
Peter Padula http://padulaforrep.com/
Jeff Roy http://jeffreyroy.com/
Note: yours truly is honored to be one of the panelists asking questions of the candidates. If you would like to add a question to the potential listing, feel free to do so here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/what-would-you-ask-candidate.html
Democratic candidates for the 10th Norfolk District, Jeffrey Roy and Peter Padula, will hold a debate on Monday, July 30, 2012, at the Thomas H Mercer Auditorium, Horace Mann Middle School, located at 224 Oak Street Franklin, MA. The debate will be from 7:30p.m. to 8:45p.m. and will be moderated by Franklin Chief of Police Stephan Semerjian.
The debate will be broadcast on cable television and WMRC radio. The public is welcome to attend to meet the candidates.
A second debate is scheduled for August 21, 2012 in Medway.
For additional information on the candidates, you can visit their websites
Peter Padula http://padulaforrep.com/
Jeff Roy http://jeffreyroy.com/
Note: yours truly is honored to be one of the panelists asking questions of the candidates. If you would like to add a question to the potential listing, feel free to do so here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/what-would-you-ask-candidate.html
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