While this comes from the Neighbor Brigade home office, you can reach the Franklin group via this link -> https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/d344e590-7541-488a-8594-34b5f451db96/1
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Thursday, November 25, 2021
A Thanksgiving Thank You via the Neighbor Brigade
"What’s One of the Most Dangerous Toys for Kids? The Internet." (video)
"We all know how difficult it can be to close our social media apps and walk away from our devices. Just one more scroll, we tell ourselves. Just one more peek at a link. And then, suddenly, we’re deep down the rabbit hole of yet another feed.These apps are addictive by design. We know this. And we know full well who’s making a bundle off our weaknesses. (Howdy, Mark Zuckerberg!) But we still can’t help ourselves.So, if we adults are seemingly powerless in the face of such digital temptation, where does that leave our kids?"
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/24/opinion/kids-internet-safety-social-apps.html
The video with this article is impressive. NY Times hosted it only on their site so, guess what, to see it, you need to go there. The irony of their complaint about the big tech companies is evident. Don't let it hinder the revelations of the article and video. The effect on kids we are paying for already (damage at FHS lavatories!).
Legislature Passes Genocide Education Bill
LEGISLATURE PASSES GENOCIDE EDUCATION BILL
Establishes the Genocide Education Trust Fund to educate students on the history of genocide
The Massachusetts Legislature on Wednesday passed An Act concerning genocide education to provide education to middle and high school students on the history of genocide and to promote the teaching of human rights issues.
"While past crimes against humanity cannot be undone, we must learn from them," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "After a rise in anti-Semitic incidences in our state and a noticeable decline in young people's understanding of the specifics or the seriousness of the Holocaust, it was clear something must be done. As a Jewish woman and daughter of a World War II veteran who liberated the Buchenwald Concentration Camp, I believe it is our responsibility to ensure we educate our children on the many instances of genocide throughout history so that it is never repeated. I am grateful to Senator Rodrigues and his staff for their hard work on this legislation, to my Senate colleagues for their continued support, and to Speaker Mariano and our partners in the House for advancing this important legislation."
"As a former teacher, I recognize and value the importance of teaching about acts of genocide in an effort to stem bigotry and intolerance. This Genocide Education bill puts Massachusetts on a path to do exactly that," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). "By requiring that all middle and high schools teach about the history of genocide, and how hatred and prejudice can lead to violence, we're taking a necessary step in the pursuit of increased education about the atrocities of the past, and how to avoid them in the future. I would like to thank chairs Michlewitz, Peisch and Roy for all of their work with the advocates to produce an impactful bill that will ensure meaningful change."
"With today's passage, the Legislature has taken decisive action to make sure young people are meaningfully educated about the history of genocide and stand ready to oppose its root causes, now and forever," said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "Thank you to Senate President Spilka for her leadership and strong support, Senator Lewis for his commitment to this matter, my respective Senate colleagues, and our partners in the House for boldly standing with us to say that we will never forget the lessons of the past and will stand against the forces of division and ignorance. I would also like to thank my constituent, Dr. Ron Weisberger, the ADL, JCRC, MASC, MASS and the dedicated advocates for their support and tremendous efforts. Thanks to their collaboration with the legislature, Massachusetts will use the power of education to oppose hate in our communities, broaden public awareness, and shape our collective future."
The bill requires middle schools and high schools in the Commonwealth to include instruction on the history of genocide. This most recent iteration of the legislation comes as incidences of hate and anti-Semitism are on the rise across the country, with several incidents reported in Massachusetts over the past year.
In 2020, a widely reported survey commissioned by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, which gauged Holocaust knowledge among millennials and Generation Z populations, found that 63 percent of survey respondents in the United States did not know six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust. The survey also found that nearly half were unfamiliar with Nazi concentration camps like Auschwitz. Massachusetts does not currently require Holocaust education or other genocides as part of classroom curriculum.
"It is shocking how many young people today have never heard of the Auschwitz concentration camp, the Holocaust, or other heinous genocides perpetrated in the past," said Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. "This important legislation will ensure that more students understand the history of genocide so that it never happens again. I'm grateful to Senator Michael Rodrigues for championing this legislation and to all of the educators and advocates who have worked to see this bill passed."
"While racial, ethnic, national, and religious violence has existed throughout the past and continues in the present, recent events suggest our collective knowledge of some of history's worst atrocities is waning. It is our responsibility to take steps to ensure we do not forget the past so that we can continue to build a better future, while still respecting the ability of individual school districts to shape the curricula of their students," said Representative Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. "I'd like to thank Speaker Mariano, Chairman Michlewitz, and Chairman Roy for their leadership on this critical piece of legislation."
"With this law, we can arm our students with the knowledge they will need to recognize the warning signs and feel empowered to prevent genocides in the future," Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin), lead sponsor of the House bill and House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. "Making genocide education a mandatory topic for teaching in our schools is a reaffirmation of the commitment of free peoples from all nations to never again permit the occurrence of another genocide, and to deter indifference to crimes against humanity and human suffering wherever they occur."
This bill would establish a Genocide Education Trust Fund to promote and educate middle and high school students on the history of genocide. Funds in this trust would be used for the instruction of middle and high school students on the history of genocide and ensure the development of curricular materials, as well as to provide professional development training to assist educators in the teaching of genocide.
The legislation requires each school district to annually file a description of their lesson plan and programs related to genocide education with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The bill also establishes a competitive grant program that schools, and districts can apply to for additional programming support.
An Act concerning genocide education now moves to the governor's desk.
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Talk Franklin - Thanksgiving and that extra piece of pie (audio)
FM #665 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 665 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing Communication Specialist Lily Rivera. We had our conversation in person in Jamie’s office in the Franklin Municipal Building.
We talk about:
Thanksgiving, time for recap, time for thanks
Council recap
Council look ahead – tax rate hearing
Links to the key references are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 37 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Lily.
*** Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/68a3f469-8ed6-4806-a87d-8b4f679698b8
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Town Council Agenda 11/17/21 document ->
My notes from the meeting 11/17/21 ->
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/recap-town-council-hears-about-waiting.html
Agenda for the Dec 1, 2021 Town Council meeting is not yet available. It will be shared as soon as it is.
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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!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| Talk Franklin - Thanksgiving and that extra piece of pie (audio) |
Franklin Food Pantry: How you can help with a food drive
via the Franklin Food Pantry
"In this season of giving, we appreciate all who wish to donate food to us. Due to our neighbor needs and our staff capacity we are not able to accept unscheduled food drop offs.
If you would like to schedule a food drive please visit our food and fund donation form and work with us to find out what our neighbors need the most and what time works to drop off the food.
Thank you for your support and understanding."
Food drive form:
Shared from Facebook:
https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4960421323992442&id=105762322791724
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| Franklin Food Pantry: How you can help with a food drive |
Franklin Athletics announces broadcast of FHS football game vs. KP on Thanksgiving
"Our Thanksgiving Day Football game will be live-streamed on Franklin TV: EDU channel, Comcast channel 96 and Verizon channel 28.
Or go to https://franklintv.vod.castus.tv/vod/ and click on the button for "Pride TV". @FHSFAN @fhs_gridiron @KPSchoolDist @KPHSwarrior"
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHSSports/status/1463163523555635222
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| Franklin Athletics announces broadcast of FHS football game vs. KP on Thanksgiving |
MIAA continues mask policy used for Fall sports to start Winter season
"This #MIAA memo regarding Winter Masking guidelines was recently sent to schools. #patience #understanding #OneTeamOneMIAA"
Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/LZBxAHutWu
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| MIAA continues mask policy used for Fall sports to start Winter season |
Coaches Corner: On to King Philip (video)
"Coaches Corner Springfield Central...ON TO KP"
Direct video link -> https://youtu.be/hKRVlmhPMmM
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevinjpapa/status/1463326227477979139
Franklin Residents: One Day Trash Delay Thursday & Friday ONLY (due to holiday)
via the Franklin DPW: One Day Trash Delay Thursday & Friday ONLY
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| Franklin Residents: One Day Trash Delay Thursday & Friday ONLY (due to holiday) |
Shared from the Town of Franklin DPW page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/news/one-day-trash-delay-thursday-friday-only
Franklin Public Library: Thanksgiving Week Hours
Franklin Public Library Thanksgiving Week Hours
The Franklin Public Library will be closing at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, November 24, and closed on Thursday, November 25 for Thanksgiving. The Library will be open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the day after Thanksgiving.
Shared from the Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/franklin-public-library-thanksgiving-week-hours-0
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| Franklin Public Library: Thanksgiving Week Hours |
Boston Globe: "A better future for heating your home"
"As we prepare for colder weather, the choice has already been made for many residents that they will be burning euphemistically named “natural gas,” or methane. This fuel, which is no more natural than any other fossil fuel, is not only responsible for massive property damage and loss of life following explosions, as we saw in the Merrimack Valley disaster three years ago — it is also a potent fossil fuel, responsible for 27 percent of climate-altering emissions statewide, second only to transportation and significantly greater than even the energy generation sector.If the state does not move away from our reliance on gas, we probably won’t hit our statutory emissions reduction goals set by the Global Warming Solutions Act and the recent 2050 net-zero roadmap legislation. Working in opposition to those goals, gas utilities are planning decades of new pipelines, projected to cost Massachusetts gas customers $20 billion — a Big Dig-sized project — according to a recent report commissioned by Gas Leaks Allies."
Continue reading the article online. (Subscription maybe required)
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| Olivia Cerf and Ben Butterworth stand near the heat pumps they installed at their Melrose home.ERIN CLARK/GLOBE STAFF |
On the sixth day before leaving Facebook, My true love sent to me
"On the sixth day before leaving Facebook
My true love sent to me
Six ways to remain in the know"
Yes, you can keep informed by
- subscribing via the daily email newsletter
- visiting the webpage
- follow updates via Twitter
- follow the podcast
- listen to the radio
- or participate in the monthly Franklin Matters Q&A session
Happy Anniversary Franklin Matters! Goodbye Facebook!
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/happy-anniversary-franklin-matters.html
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| On the sixth day before leaving Facebook , My true love sent to me |
CommonWealth Magazine: "Electricity supplier gets attack on AG wrong"
"THIS WINTER, residential customers should be wary of competitive electric suppliers taking advantage of rising electric bills to lure new customers. We have all heard the stories of these predatory suppliers, and many of us have experienced their high-pressure sales tactics – on the phone, at the door, through a mailer – promising cheaper electricity.
Unfortunately, these promises are usually scams. In fact, our office found that, over a five-year period, Massachusetts’ individual residential customers on competitive electric supply suffered $426 million in net losses over what they would have paid their utility for basic service. The results are even more severe for low-income customers, who are twice as likely to be targeted and switched to competitive electric supply and pay higher rates on average when they do.
The competitive electric supply industry has never claimed that our office’s calculations of customers’ financial losses are wrong. Indeed, in the November 14 opinion piece, “Unitil settlement proves Healey wrong,” Dan Allegretti on behalf of the Retail Energy Supply Association, makes no attempt to defend the industry’s terrible record. Instead, the industry continues to grasp at straws."
Continue reading the article online
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/electricity-supplier-gets-attack-on-ag-wrong
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/electricity-supplier-gets-attack-on-ag-wrong
If you want a low rate, consider the Municipal Aggregation offered through Town of Franklin and Nationalgrid ->
What is Municipal aggregation?
Audio with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/fm-208-jamie-hellen-on-municipal.html
Announcement here -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2020-09-18_municipal_aggregation_announcement.pdf
Quarterly report -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/franklin-quarterly-aggregation-reports
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - 11/22/21 (audio)
FM #664 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 664 in the series.
This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England, this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of November 17, 2021:
ok, what just happened?
What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
We cover the following key topics
Housing Authority presentation/discussion
Elk riders donation
FY 2022 budget adjustments
Host community agreements
Future items
o Town council subcommittees
o Tax rate hearing
o Community Preservation Committee
The recording runs about 27 minutes:
Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.
Let’s listen to this recording of Town Council Quarterbacking Nov 22, 2021
Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e43cb65b-1e9d-4c68-a13a-4acf16a1d23d
--------------
Town Council Agenda document ->
My notes from the meeting ->
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/recap-town-council-hears-about-waiting.html
SAFE Coalition presentation as mentioned in the discussion (Town Council meeting of 9/15/21) ->
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/franklin-ma-town-council-meeting.html
--------------
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"
 |
| Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - 11/22/21 (audio) |
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