CommonWealth Magazine: Budd nominated as chief justice; Baker PAC spends more backing Kelly

From CommonWealth Magazine we share two articles of interest for Franklin: 

"Baker nominates Kimberly Budd as chief justice" 

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Wednesday nominated Associate Justice Kimberly S. Budd, the only person of color on the Supreme Judicial Court, to become chief justice — the highest judicial position in the state.

If confirmed, Budd would become the first black woman to lead the court in its 328-year history, and only the second black chief justice, after Roderick L. Ireland. She is the third African American to serve as a justice on the SJC. At 54, she would also be the state’s youngest chief justice in 150 years.

Budd was nominated to the court by Baker in 2016 after Justice Fernande Duffly’s retirement. She is one of three women on the seven-member court, along with Elspeth Cypher and Barbara Lenk."

Continue reading article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/baker-nominates-kimberly-budd-as-chief-justice/

 

"Baker PAC spends more backing GOP candidates"

"Baker’s PAC also spent heavily trying to prevent the Republican Party from losing more ground in the state Senate, where the GOP currently holds just four seats. The PAC supported incumbent Republican Sens. Ryan Fattman of Webster and Patrick O’Connor of Weymouth with advertising expenditures of $53,251 and $53,594, respectively. The PAC also spent $50,244 supporting Republican challenger Matthew Kelly of Franklin, who is trying to unseat Democratic Sen. Becca Rausch of Needham."

Continue reading article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/baker-pac-spends-more-backing-gop-candidates/

Protect the Results - Nov 4

Many people are wondering whether President Trump could be serious when he says he might not accept the results of the coming election.

 

Foremost among the organizations taking this possibility seriously is Protect the Results.  It has formed a coalition of more than 100 groups representing people nationwide who are concerned about this election.  The message is simple:  Count All the Votes.  They believe that any democracy rests on the integrity of its elections.

These people are prepared to stand out peacefully in public to convey this message if Trump tries to claim victory or stop every vote from being counted. Such events will probably begin on the day after the election (Wed Nov 4).  Similar demonstrations may occur on ensuing days, depending on whether disruptions to the democratic process are continuing.  

Protect the Results lists 379 different events across the country, including many in Massachusetts.    

 

Anyone wishing to participate in the event at the Franklin Common can get more information and can sign up at Protecttheresults.com. 

 

 

Protect the Results - Nov 4

In the News: Boston Marathon 2021 moved to at least the fall;

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

"The 2021 Boston Marathon will not be held in April, and local officials believe it is the correct call.

The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) announced Wednesday afternoon the 125th Boston Marathon, traditionally held on the third Monday in April — Patriots’ Day - will be postponed until at least the fall 2021.

Brendan Tedstone, the Hopkinton Select Board Chairman, grew up in town, and said it was strange to not see a common full of runners on Patriots’ Day this year, calling it a “spring rite of passage.” Even so, he said he “definitely thinks it’s the right call.”

“It’s absolutely the right thing to do as a town,” said Tedstone. “We love having the marathon start in Hopkinton. We always have. But we would never allow an event to go on if it compromised the safety of our townspeople. I appreciate the proactive approach the B.A.A. took.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201028/2021-boston-marathon-will-not-be-held-in-april-it-has-been-moved-to-yet-to-be-determined-date-in-fall?rssfeed=true

"Voters in Massachusetts will not be turned away for refusing to wear masks at polling stations, similar to rulings in other states.

In Houston, Galveston County Judge Mark Henry issued an executive order on Oct. 16, prohibiting poll workers from turning away voters who refuse to wear a mask at the polls.

But in Massachusetts, poll workers have been instructed on how to accommodate for all voters. No one will be turned away from voting sites or denied the right to vote for refusing to wear a face covering.

“While we strongly encourage all voters to wear a mask while voting in person, voters cannot be denied the right to vote if they are unable or unwilling to wear one. Local election officials have been advised to be prepared to provide a reasonable accommodation for such a voter,” said Debra O’Malley, a spokeswoman for Secretary of State William Galvin."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201028/mass-voters-refusing-to-wear-masks-will-be-accommodated-at-polls?rssfeed=true

 

In the News: "1,137 additional COVID-19 cases"

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

"The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported an additional 1,137 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to 150,498.

The daily positivity rate — the rate of new cases diagnosed among those newly tested — is 6.10%.

State health officials also confirmed 36 new COVID-19-related deaths across Massachusetts, bringing the state’s confirmed coronavirus death toll to 9,700."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201028/mass-dph-reports-1137-additional-covid-19-cases-36-new-deaths?rssfeed=true

 

Community level data map for 10/22/20  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/community-level-covid-19-data-reporting

 

 

last week's map, what will the update show later today?

How You Can Protect Yourself from Hackers and Scammers

Protect Yourself from Hackers and Scammers Hackers try to exploit vulnerabilities in your computer or phone. To steal your personal information, they trick you into downloading malicious software to your device so they can take control. And scammers try to get you to let your guard down by making up a story to get your money or information. But there's plenty you can do to protect your personal information and your wallet. Protect the Devices You Connect to the Internet Take steps to protect your computer from malware like viruses and spyware. And find out how to protect your personal information before you get rid of an old computer. Find out how to protect the data on your phone and how to erase that information before you get rid of your phone. Learn what you can do to keep your voice assistant private and secure. Know How to Avoid a Scam If someone says you must pay by wiring money through Western Union or MoneyGram, by putting money on a gift card and then giving them the number on the back, or with cryptocurrency, it's a scam. Learn how to recognize and avoid common scams you might see in your inbox, on your phone, or online. Scammers send phishing emails and phishing text messages to try to steal your personal information. They may demand you pay a ransom by Bitcoin or say they have info about a FedEx package delivery for you. Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating apps or social media sites to trick you into sending money. Tech support scammers want you to pay them to fix a non-existent computer problem. Report Scammers If you spot a scam — or something you think is a scam — reporting it can help the FTC protect you and your community. Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Voices of Franklin: Barry Kassler responds to James Gianotti Jr on the Community Preservation Act

I’d like to respond to the letter from James Gianotti, Jr. regarding the Community Preservation Act, or CPA, in Franklin.
 
First, Mr. Gianotti is right when he says that these are difficult times.  What he may not be aware of is that many CPA communities have used their CPA funds to create emergency housing assistance programs for people in their communities who have lost jobs due to the pandemic.  That would not have been possible without the CPA.
 
Mr. Gianotti states that the CPA would cost Franklin residents “thousands of dollars” each.  That’s off by a factor of at least ten.  The average homeowner in Franklin would pay $105 per year, or $26 per quarter.  There is nothing “hidden” here.  It will appear on tax bills on its own line, beginning next year.  Residents who are low-income, or who are moderate-income seniors, can apply for an exemption from the CPA tax.
 
Mr. Gianotti states that those of us who support Question 3 “consistently rely on the most optimistic estimate of how much funding the state will chip in. …This is probably going to be way off.”  In reality, the estimates of CPA revenue from the state have been conservative, and are realistic.  State CPA funding depends on money collected at the Registry of Deeds, and collections for this year have been consistent with pre-pandemic levels.
 
The CPA is a perfect way for a community to maintain and improve the quality of life for all of its residents.  Franklin is losing out on state funding which only goes to CPA communities.  We already pay into that fund, but get nothing back.  That will change when Franklin adopts the CPA.  Many of our neighboring towns have already done so, including Wrentham, Medway, Millis, Norfolk and Mendon.  In fact, over half of all Massachusetts cities and towns are now CPA communities.
 
I urge you to vote to adopt the CPA in Franklin by voting Yes on Question 3.
 
Barry Kassler
Franklin 

If you missed it, the Gianotti letter can be found here

https://www.milforddailynews.com/opinion/20201024/opinionletter-vote-no-on-cpa

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: James Gianotti Jr - "Just say NO to Question 3"

Who would honestly ask for more taxes in the middle of a pandemic?

Your Franklin's governing body would. It’s much more than just not right its downright shameful to be asking citizens at this time for more money. We all know someone in your family or your friends that are going through what might be the toughest times of their lives and having big challenges with their day-to-day bills. Massachusetts has the highest unemployment in the country and businesses are closing every day. What’s even worse there is no end in sight.

With that I am opposing the CPA for a few reasons. Remember, the CPA can only fund four kinds of things - historic preservation, affordable housing, open space, and parks and recreation projects.  These are all nice to have, but we need to focus on our MUST have list right now – namely schools, police, and fire departments and have compassion for our fellow citizens who don’t know when their next paycheck is coming, Lets also not forget, in addition, to talk about an override vote “soon” to raise town taxes, we are also facing increases to water and sewer costs and a completely new tax (cleverly described as a utility) to fund federally mandated stormwater treatment and mitigation – expected to total something like $50 million dollars over the next several years.

CPA is about “pet projects” not these critical projects that we absolutely must do.

In addition, CPA proponents consistently rely on the most optimistic estimate of how much funding the state will chip in.  Given the condition of the state’s budget and the state, this is probably going to be way off.

So, if we pass CPA, we will be stuck with an additional burden, one that will hit many people when they can least afford it. Consider the example of a couple where both wage earners have been laid off. Maybe they need to downsize and hope the equity they have achieved in their home over the last few years will help them through. Guess what? That’s when CPA will hit them, to the tune of thousands of dollars!  That’s what’s called a hidden tax. You vote for it because it won’t affect you right away, but when it does, it’s a big hit!

Our town is economically diverse. While there may be some families that can easily afford CPA, for most, it could be devastating. Above all, 2020 is not the year to be gold plating town spending and hitting those who can least afford it.

I ask you all to have some compassion for those currently and those that will be fighting for their American Dream during the pandemic.

Just say NO to Question 3

James Gianotti Jr. 

Franklin

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html