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As another year winds down... As we look to the future... and ponder a perilous time in this nation's history... As we contend with global challenges... ... with our environment... ... our health... ... our systems and notions of justice ...There is no shortage of adjectives to apply to our times - dire, dangerous, and demoralizing, to name a few (and that's just for the letter D). Today, however, we wanted to explore one closer to the end of the alphabet - vulnerable. Perhaps it is another looming wave of Covid, perhaps it is the multiple threats we face to our democracy, perhaps it is a season when we reflect on the past, perhaps it is the feeling of instability that comes with aging, but a feeling of vulnerability has been a major theme in conversations we have been having with family and friends. Vulnerability is part of the human condition, no matter the era. On a personal level, we are all vulnerable and we can see the vulnerability of those around us. Youth provides, to some, a false shield of invincibility, but life often knocks that down pretty quickly. The months I spent bed-ridden with rheumatic fever as a child is a personal reminder I carry with me. When we look back, however, we can likely think of times when the general state of vulnerability in our communities, and the nation and world as a whole, felt far less present than it does today. Perhaps there is something in our minds that makes us more attuned to the more immediate vulnerabilities of the present than in rememberances of the past. During the height of the Cold War, for example, there was a very real and present fear that the world could end with the push of a button. That's a lot of vulnerability to carry around with you. Any consideration of vulnerability must also recognize that it strikes communities unevenly, depending on how they are constructed. During Jim Crow, the chasm of vulnerability Black Americans felt as opposed to their White neighbors was wide and deep. The legacies of racial hatred still remain in America and they shape vulnerabilities people feel in their daily lives. Many of the vulnerabilities of today are such that even wealth and privilege do not feel like they are protective. The pandemic, the climate crisis, the assaults on our government are all of a nature that they put everyone and everything into a state of danger. At the same time, however, we must recognize that those on the margins of society will be most vulnerable to these changing realities. Recently, my daughter shared an article with me that captures a major vulnerability many Americans feel today. Originally published a year ago in The Atlantic, the piece by Dani Alexis Ryskamp is entitled The Life in The Simpsons Is No Longer Attainable. Ms. Ryskamp considered the lifestyle of the titular family of the animated television series which premiered more than 30 years ago! She concluded, "The most famous dysfunctional family of 1990s television enjoyed, by today's standards, an almost dreamily secure existence that now seems out of reach for all too many Americans." Ms. Ryskamp not only reports on the data around such things as housing and medical costs, but considers her own precarious career as a freelance writer. She didn't use the word vulnerability but it hovers over the entire piece. "For many, a life of constant economic uncertainty—in which some of us are one emergency away from losing everything, no matter how much we work—is normal," she wrote. It is impossible to remove all of our vulnerabilities; they are intrinsic to life. But we can lessen them for ourselves, and especially for others. This is a major role of government. We can provide more safety nets for those who falter. We can reduce our damage to the environment. We can introduce measures to improve our public health. We can build systems that are more just. Combatting vulnerability, however, is not something that can be purely accomplished on an individual level. It requires community. It requires a sense that we are in this together. It means getting vaccinated to help others, as well as yourself. It means embracing more housing, even if it's in your backyard. It means recognizing that we need to change the way we consume energy. It means paying a fair share of taxes. It means being open to the stories of people who are different from you. In the aftermath of the recent deadly tornadoes which ripped through several states, many noted how Kentucky Senator Rand Paul asked for federal aid after years of opposing aid to other communities in need after natural disasters. In this anecdote of rank hypocrisy, we can find an important lesson. We are all vulnerable. Some of us are vulnerable in ways we feel each and every day. Others of us are more vulnerable to something we cannot predict, a sudden illness, accident, or other such calamities, like a natural disaster. At a point when our feelings of vulnerability are at a high level, perhaps we can recognize the vulnerability being felt by others. When President Biden went to view the devastation in Kentucky, he headed to a part of the country that voted overwhelmingly for President Trump. The Washington Post wrote an article from this perspective and spoke to local residents who were appreciative of Biden't visit, even if they still didn't support him politically. Many were eager for federal help. That's okay. One doesn't have to support a politician to support the office of the Presidency or recognize the role of the government to provide aid. But the only way this works is if it goes both ways. Will these people in Trump country who are now feeling so vulnerable also support efforts to decrease the vulnerability in communities very different from theirs? President Biden knows firsthand how vulnerable we all are to the tragic twists of fate. His life is testimony to that. In the legislation he is pushing in Congress, from infrastructure, to climate, to child tax credits, to voting rights, he is trying to address the vulnerabilities he sees in American life. His bet is that ultimately a shared sense of vulnerability can bridge our divisions. A counter-narrative to this hope is the pandemic, which has shown how a deep and pervasive vulnerability can be politicized to further drive us apart around things like vaccines, which used to be uniting. But perhaps that is because the lies people have heard about the virus have provided them with a false sense of invulnerability. I do not know where these times will eventually lead. I do not see a quick end to the worries and vulnerabilities so many feel. But I do believe that recognizing our vulnerabilities and seeing the vulnerabilities in others can be an important part of recognizing our own humanity. And that, in turn, can be a step to building a future that feels less vulnerable. You're on the free list for Steady. For those who are able, please consider becoming a paying subscriber to support our efforts. © 2021 Dan Rather |
Monday, December 20, 2021
Feeling Vulnerable by Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner
Sunday, December 19, 2021
Candlelight Vigil for Shirley Owen - 12/19/21 (audio)
FM #682 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 682 in the series.
This shares audio recording of the candlelight vigil in memory of Shirley Owen. The vigil was held on the Franklin Town Common and attended by a couple of thousand neighbors, friends, and members of the Franklin community.
The event ‘master of ceremonies’ was State Representative Jeff Roy.
Link to the GoFundMe for the Owen family is included in the show notes. At the time of the vigil, over $225,000 had been raised.
The recording runs about 33 minutes. Let’s listen to this recording of the candlelight vigil held Dec 19, 2021
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GoFundMe for Shirley Owen https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/gofundme-for-shirley-in-our-hearts.html
Link to photos of the vigil ->https://photos.app.goo.gl/fhNJYofT7V7AsHqz7
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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"
Prayer vigil and candle light service for Shirley Owen - Dec 19, 2021 at 5 PM
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/ggzub/status/1472347378518839299
NEW HOPE, Inc. CEO Issues Statement On Alleged Domestic Violence Homicide Murder In Franklin, MA
Marcia Szymanski, CEO, New Hope Inc. offer condolences to the family of the Shirley Branco Owen who was murdered on Friday, December 17, 2021. New Hope also is able to offer support to family and friends of Ms. Owen.
In response to yesterday’s alleged domestic violence homicide in Franklin, the police were able to apprehend the suspect, Ms. Owen’s ex-husband, thus there is no danger to the community at-large.
New Hope, Inc.’s Executive Director and President, Marcia Szymanski, issued a statement to inform the community about services available to them. New Hope, Inc. provides domestic violence services to 41 communities, including Franklin. New Hope has offices in both Attleboro and Milford to assist survivors of domestic violence with safety planning, obtaining restraining orders, and other legal protections to ensure their safety. These services are free of charge.
New Hope President and CEO, Marcia Szymanski, stated, “We want to inform the public that New Hope has a 24-hour, toll-free hotline available to survivors and witnesses to violence, as well as to concerned family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors who may need support. Our hotline is 1-800-323-HOPE (4673), and we encourage anyone who may be in need of our services to call and get help.”
New Hope, Inc.’s domestic and sexual violence services include the 24-hour hotline (1-800-323-HOPE), two emergency shelters for survivors fleeing violent homes, counseling services for adults and children, a supervised visitation center where non-custodial parents can visit in a safe supervised setting with their children due to domestic violence and other issues, court-based legal advocacy to help survivors obtain restraining orders, safety planning, an intimate partner abuse education program, education/outreach services.
New Hope, Inc. is a registered 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization, whose mission is “To create communities free from violence and exploitation.” For more information, visit www.new-hope.org.
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LiveARTS announces return to in person events for Winter/Spring 2022
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| LiveARTS announces return to in person events for Winter/Spring 2022 |
Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - 12/16/21 (audio)
FM #681 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 681 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 December 15, 2021:
ok, what just happened?
What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
We cover the following key topics
Appointments
Franklin Cultural District Committee: Katherine Botelho
Franklin Cultural District Committee: Patrick Timmons
Community Preservation Committee: Richard (Rick) Power
2022 Annual Alcohol License Renewals
Presentation - Human Resources: Karen Bratt, Human Resources Director
The recording runs about 27 minutes:
Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes.
Let’s listen to this recording of Town Council Quarterbacking Dec 16, 2021
** Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-681-town-council-quarterbacking-with-chair-tom-mercer-12-15-21
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Town Council Agenda document -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/december_15_town_council_agenda.pdf
My notes from the meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/recap-town-council-hears-update-on.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"
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| Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - 12/16/21 (audio) |
Both FHS girls and boys indoor track & field teams top King Philip on Friday
"Congrats to Boys T&F team on win vs KP (52-47). Event winners: Luke Sidwell (55, 300 and LJ), Tyler Powderly (600), Clancy Golden (2 mile), Emmett Lackey (SP), 4x2 relay (Josh Dunlap, James Stoddard, Max Voellmicke, Ashton McLean)"Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinXCTrack/status/1472216950545829901
"Congrats to Girls T&F team on win vs KP (78-22). Event winners: Sarah Dumas (55, 55H), Anna Cliff (300), Jill Fenerty (600, HJ), Charlene Peng (1000), Emma Pruitt (mile), Olivia Costa (LJ), 4x2 (Cuneo, DiDomenico, Damon, Bruno), 4x4 (Powderly, Cliff, McLaughlin, Fitzpatrick)"Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinXCTrack/status/1472219029523816449
The individual results were shared on Saturday:"Live results from today's meet against KP at the Reggie Lewis CenterFHS individual indoor track meet results - Dec 17, 2021Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinHSXC/status/1471974591333638150
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| FHS Panthers |
FHS Gymnastics: Recap of the meet vs. North Attleboro - Dec 17
"Great win over North Attleboro 143.6 to 116.8!! @FHSSports @fhspanthertv @FranklinHS @FranklinMatters @HockomockSports @MetroWestSports @fhsgymboosters https://t.co/0RjKBOQoLy"
"Second win of the season with a 143.6 win over North's 116.8.
We started off the strongest ever on Vault with 3 of our 4 top scores hitting their career highs. Senior Captain Caroline Woelfel 9.2, Senior Lizzie Brown 9.3, Senior Captain Kate Rudolph 9.8 and Senior Emma White 9.9. Shout out to Juniors Emma Nelson for putting up a 9.0 and Maia Keohane with an 8.6. An unbelievable start to the meet.
Bars your top 4 were Caroline with an 8.0, Emma Nelson with an 8.0 senior captain Elizabeth Schirduan with an 8.7, and Kate with a 8.9.
Beam your top 4 were Senior Lizzie Brown 7.7, Sophomore Rory Fitzgerald with a season opener of an 8.9, Kate with a 9.3, and Emma White with a 9.7.
Floor your top 4 were Olivia with an 8.4, Caroline with an 8.9, Emma White with a 9.4 and Kate with a 9.5! Kate Rudolph with an AA of 37.5.
Let's keep this up girls. Thanks for everyone coming out to support us. It's exciting to see so many fans. Next up Taunton away at Arnold's Gymnastics in Mansfield at 7pm on December 23rd. Be there."
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| https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics Twitter profile image |
Diwali!
Like so many of our late fall and winter holidays, it is a major festival of light celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. Diwali usually lasts five days and is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika (between mid-October and mid-November). One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is widely associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity,
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| Diwali |
Annnnd – I get to add a new holiday icon to my traditional embrace of all below. Happy Diwali – to all.
And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.
And, thank you for watching.
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| holiday collection |
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
Recap: Town Council hears update on Human Resources, appoints three to committees, approves annual license renewals
- The annual alcohol license renewals were approved. Some were held for completion of outstanding payments, etc. A smaller number than previous times per recollection (but not verified by actual count). Also 4 licenses were approved for businesses that actually haven't started operating yet. In tough economic times, these are good indicators
- Three appointments were approved; two to the Cultural District (now at full strength) and one to the Community Preservation Committee (adding a Planning Board representative as the prior rep did not get re-elected in November)
- HR Director Karen Bratt provided the update on what her department does that she had previewed to the Finance Committee in October. A wealth of information was shared. Primary driver is the demographic change the Town is seeing as folks retire (half the department managers positions turned over in last 4 years) and one third of total Town employment changed in same period
- Insights on the health and pension plans planning process were shared. The Town working with the bargaining units does manage to hold health increases to a minimum. The Norfolk County pension liability will be paid up by approx. FY 2030 when those funds will shift to add to the outstanding OPEB liabilities. This one move revealed a couple of years ago will alleviate the giant albatross that the OPEB liability had been. The other silver lining in the meantime is that the Town is ahead of other communities facing the same challenge in funding their liabilities
- Goal setting session for the 'new' Council will be scheduled for one of their January meetings. The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is scheduled for two public hearings in January 2022 (Jan 4 and Jan 18). The public hearings will gather community input on how the forthcoming CPA funds should be used? What projects should be on the 'wish list'? and in what priority order? The input is a step to help the CPC development of the allocation of the CPA funds for eventual Town Council approval during 2022
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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I attended the meeting in the Council Chambers.
The Twitter hashtag #TC1215 can be found online The thread begins with
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1471269121560035336
- getting ready for the Town Council meeting at 7, shift of location to the Chambers, agenda doc -> https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/december_15_town_council_agenda.pdf… #tc1215
- Chair Mercer opens meeting; at just after 7 PM #tc1215
- standard protocol statement being read by Chair #tc1215 reading phone # for access to the Zoom session, also available via Comcast and Verizon cable or Live streamed from the http://Franklinma.gov webpage
- Citizens comment: #tc1215 resident comment on Hillside Road not being plowed due to change in ownership of 1 Summit Rd; no success via DPW, paperwork provided to show it is a public way
- next up, approval of minutes of Nov 10, 2021, motion, seconded, passes 9-0 voice vote #tc1215
- appointments; 3 up - Franklin Cultural District Committee: Katherine Botelho moved, seconded, passes 9-0 #tc1215
- 2 appt: - b. Franklin Cultural District Committee: Patrick Timmons moved, seconded passes 9-0 #tc1215
- 3 - appt: https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5c._appointment_-_power.pdf… Rick Power for CPC moved, second, passes 9-0 (replaces Halligan who was previous representative for the Planning Board) #tc1215
- license transactions - renewal of the outstanding liquor and all-alcohol licenses, an annual approval process; listing - > https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._license_renewal_memo_list_motion.pdf… #tc1215 - some held per payment of outstanding fees (also a normal business process) moved, seconded, passes8-0-1(Mercer abstained)
- Q on prior motion for the chief in regards to status at Dean, no issues; compliance checks - not yet done, short staffed and unable to find staff for the OT to conduct these checks. #tc1215
- next up - Karen Bratt, HR Director presentation previously shared with Finance Committee in October 2021 -> https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/fincomm-presentation-october142021.pdf… #tc1215
- succession planning could require additional staff for HR; #tc1215 new hire candidates testing etc. covered under HR budget; expensive to use web ads for openings; Mass Municipal is a good source for others in municipal government arena; comp plan being reviewed
- HR files are still paper based, will try to update to electronic in future (sooner than later); Norfolk County pension funding will increase thru FY 30 and then decrease, allowing for shift of funds to cover the OPEB deficit #tc1215
- OPEB funding has been growing gradually each year via budget and 'free cash' #tc1215
- Police/Fire covered by separate MA General Law; separate from the other Town/school employees #tc1215 compensation reserve - money set aside for unexpected for salary costs, i.e. full vacation balance or collective bargaining anticipation of increases
- 11 new department heads since Jan 2016, approx. 55% of the leadership; city/towns exempt from minimum wage but it is being implemented here gradually; equal pay law of 2016 an item to watch; collective bargaining agreements cycle will come up again next Jun/Jul #tc1215
- contract docs formatted for better consistency across the agreements, all but one (Police) completed thus far; benefits fairs not held during COVID hopeful to bring them back next year. #tc1215 assist with tracking of the COVID quarantine and testing protocols
- planning for succession and working to fulfill the positions required; #tc1215 Employee assistance program available for those who need it; provided by Town insurer; drug testing assistance for CDL drivers in DPW for failures; fortunately not a frequent event here
- Franklin fortunate to have a good reputation so folks are generally eager to come here; niche positions are harder to fill; #tc1215 contractual benefits to get advance notice of retirement plans, helps us for a win/win i.e. police/fire
- EDC, Jan 5th meeting - Planning Board and MAPC 5:45 PM start #tc1215 no legislation for action tonight
- Town Admin report - ARPA funding approved through Gov Baker and now coming to us; free rides to Senior Center, via GATRA also covered with this funding; thanks to the legislative delegation; happy holidays, hard to believe that in a couple of weeks it is 2022 #tc1215
- future agenda items; #tc1215 nothing at this time; thanks to the neighbors who helped the Santa Foundation, Q on generators still at the DPW, specs designed for the generators; variety of smaller projects coming back from the burner to more front awareness;
- Thanks to Nancy for putting the annual report together; happy holidays, happy new year; looking forward to 2022! no word yet on complete streets or housing plan from State approval; FBRTC looking for new members; #tc1215 open mic night last Wednesday, fantastic night
- "please treat everyone with as much respect as you can"; thinking of the tornado victims; 800K lies lost to COVID, be peaceful, stay safe; #tc1215 Ohio missionaries still held captive in Haiti (more than 2 months); do due diligence to manage COVID;
- get into the season (after prayers), reinforce to do our due diligence; let's get 2022 to look forward to Jan, goal setting session coming; #tc1215 motion to adjourn, passe 9-0
Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days
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| Recap: Town Council hears update on Human Resources |
COVID-19 booster clinic Tuesday, Dec 21 - open to Franklin residents
"The Metacomet Public Health Alliance will hold a booster clinic on Tuesday, December 21 from 4 PM - 6 PM in Wrentham. This event is open to all Franklin residents. "
Register here: https://buff.ly/3oFx03g
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| COVID-19 booster clinic Tuesday, Dec 21 - open to Franklin residents |
Lifestyle & Culture Classes-Winter/Spring 2022
- 8 weeks beginning January 19 - Cost: $79
- 8 Weeks beginning March 29 - Cost: $90
- Tuesday, March 22 - Cost: $30
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| Lifestyle & Culture Classes-Winter/Spring 2022 |