You can view the current (and prior) newsletter updates from the School Committee online https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/newsletters
Thursday, November 5, 2020
Senator Rausch: Onward!
I am deeply honored and humbled to be re-elected as State Senator representing the great communities of the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District! Thank you to the voters for putting your faith in me for another term, to continue pushing for progress and delivering results.
Before I go any further, I want to say a massive thank you to my tremendous campaign team. Many of you got to meet and work with some of these incredible people over the course of this campaign, so you know just how phenomenal they are. Thank you doesn't begin to cut it here. I am so grateful for all of you, for the formidable campaign we built and ran even during a global pandemic, and for your deep dedication to justice, equity, democracy, and collaboration. Thank you to our fellows, our youth coordinators, and all of our amazing volunteers. And, thank you to my family, especially my husband Lior and our children, for your patience, love, understanding, and strength.
Friends, this victory is about all of us, and the values we share. Values of justice, fairness, and equity for all. Values that manifest in public health, reproductive freedom, election access, antiracism, education, intersectional civil rights, and so much more. Values that have been under attack seemingly everywhere we look. But yesterday and over the last few weeks, all of you here and tens of thousands of voters in our district said no to unraveling progress. This victory is a resounding YES for truth, science, civility, and policymaking that uplifts our individual and collective humanity.
We all know this is not the first time in history that our shared values have been attacked, or trampled. My grandfather was a Holocaust survivor. His 100th birthday would have been this past weekend, while all of us were busy talking to voters. He passed away when I was young, but one of the things I remember most about him is his love of music. On Monday morning, as I was dropping off our younger son at pre-K, a piece of music my grandfather loved and brought into our family came on the radio. Not just a snippet of the piece either, the whole thing. Hearing it reminded me of our unique legacies, and how those legacies influence the people we become.
I'd never been to Germany until just a few years ago, and it wasn't until that trip that I learned my great great grandfather was a local politician before Hitler rose to power. Before my ancestors' lives were taken from them. Before the values of justice and equity and decency were so horrifyingly overrun by hate and fear.
These have been dark times in our nation – a serious stain on our American story that was unthinkable before 2016. We do not yet know what the outcome will be at the top of the ticket or in other critical races across the country. That great unknown is hard. It's hard to sit in ambiguity that so drastically impacts our lives now and the brighter future we all want to build for our children and generations to come. While we do not yet know the outcome, we know this: we can do hard things. We've been doing it for years, some of us longer than others. And we know that eventually, the arc will bend our way. Good will triumph over evil. Love will triumph over hate. Truth will triumph over lies and manipulation. Democracy will triumph over the denigration of American ideals.
We also know this: whatever happens at the federal level, the sites of social change for the next several years will be state legislatures. And that's what makes our victory particularly important, and hopeful. I'm proud to have achieved many great successes in my first term, from passing two reproductive justice bills on the Senate floor by unanimous, bipartisan votes, to advancing infectious disease prevention legislation, to enhancing transparency in the legislature, to bringing real and meaningful service to every corner of my district. That's what my leadership looks like. That's what voters in this election confirmed they want. And that's exactly what I'll continue to deliver in my next term – actual progress on public health, reproductive justice, election reform, climate action, intersectional civil rights, a government and places of employment free from harassment and discrimination, and more. That's the world we're striving to achieve. That's the sense of community we're fighting to restore.
When I think about our kids, and your kids, and all the young people out there who have shown up and spoken up and reached out and gotten involved, whether through climate strikes or a teen town hall or letters to me or learning how to read… I am inspired by them, and motivated to do better and keep pushing for the brighter future they deserve. That's a legacy I hope our work together will leave for them, both the work that's brought us to this moment and the work still to come.
I hope we achieve that legacy. I hope I'm living up to the legacy my family crafted for me. And I hope I continue to make all of you proud.
To each and every one of you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your incredible support and for dedicating your time, talent, and treasure to this campaign, to our values, and to hope. We have paved a path forward; let's keep pushing for progress and getting it done, together.
Thank you, everyone.
In solidarity,
Becca Rausch
In the News: "Mass voters reject ranked choice, but OK car repair measure"
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Voters of Massachusetts said no Tuesday night to a reform that would have dramatically altered the way voters choose their elected leaders, rejecting a ballot question backed by a who’s who of current and former political leaders from both parties that would have allowed voters in future statewide elections to rank candidates in races with three or more choices on the ballot.
Voters approved the other ballot question, breaking in favor of giving independent mechanics access to wireless vehicle data to repair cars by a 3-1 margin, according to incomplete and unofficial returns.
Supporters of the auto repair question said their win at the ballot box would ensure that consumers can get their car or truck repaired wherever they want, but even after conceding defeat opponents of Question 1 said the Right to Repair Committee failed to show why the change was necessary.
Unofficial results showed voters favoring Question 1 by a 3-1 margin with over 93% of precincts reporting, according to The Associated Press."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
For more info on the Nov 3, 2020 election check the unofficial Franklin results on the Town Clerk page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk
In the News: 1,629 new COVID-19 cases
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The state Department of Public Health reported an additional 1,629 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to 158,937.
State health officials also confirmed 27 new COVID-19-related deaths across Massachusetts, bringing the state’s confirmed coronavirus death toll to 9,836.
As of Wednesday, 502 patients confirmed of having the coronavirus were hospitalized in Massachusetts, of which 109 were reported to be in an intensive care unit.
On Monday, the DPH posted a revised daily dashboard. Key new data points include “case growth by age group” and average turnaround time for COVID-19 test results that are reported to state health officials."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
The new COVID-19 dashboard can be found online https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-november-4-2020/download
Senator Karen Spilka: virtual Senior Health & Wellness Fair - Nov 20
"The virtual Senior Health & Wellness Fair will be LIVE on Friday, Nov 20, 2020! The 60-min show, which will be broadcast on local cable access TV in MetroWest, YouTube & Facebook, will offer expertise & resources from local & state experts, as well as fun!"
More about the event: https://t.co/DViNQ9UMxB
 |
| Senator Karen Spilka: Senior Health & Wellness Fair - Nov 20 |
CommonWealth Magazine: Judge Dalila Argaez Wendlandt nominated to SJC; State tax revenues up over last year
From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:
"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER’S latest nominee to the Supreme Judicial Court is an Appeals Court judge with a background in intellectual property litigation who built a robot while studying engineering at MIT.
Justice Dalila Argaez Wendlandt spoke to reporters after Gov. Charlie Baker introduced her as his latest pick for the Supreme Judicial Court. [Matthew J. Lee/Boston Globe/Pool]
Judge Dalila Argaez Wendlandt, if confirmed to the post by the Governor’s Council, would be the first Latina to serve on the state’s high court.
“The daughter of immigrants from Colombia, Justice Wendlandt will bring her voice to our highest court, a voice we need now more than ever,” Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said at an election day press conference at the State House where she and Baker introduced Wendlandt. “She has served as a mentor for women and girls throughout her career and the impact she would make in this new position, for young girls to see the first Latina woman serving on our highest court in the commonwealth, is profound.”
Continue reading article online https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/baker-nominating-first-latina-to-sjc/
NOW PARTWAY into the second quarter of a fiscal year that budget managers expect will generate between 4 percent and 12 percent less tax revenue for the state than the last, collections are still running more than 1 percent ahead of their fiscal year 2020 pace, the Department of Revenue said Wednesday.
DOR collected $2.089 billion from Massachusetts taxpayers in October, $62 million, or 3.1 percent, more than what was collected in October 2019, the agency said. October’s tax haul is among the smallest of the calendar year and DOR said the month typically generates about 6.5 percent of the state’s annual revenue.
“October revenue was driven mostly by increases in withholding, non-withheld income tax, and regular sales tax. These increases were partly offset by decreases in meals tax, and ‘All Other’ tax,” Revenue Commissioner Geoffrey Snyder said. “An increase in individual return payments, combined with a decrease in refunds, resulted in growth in non-withheld income tax in October. The moderate withholding increase reflects unemployment insurance benefits, one-time events, and timing factors.”
Continue reading article online https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/232310/
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Franklin Food Pantry Names Capital Campaign Committee
Hires Local Architect Firm and Project Manager to Renovate Pantry
The Franklin Food Pantry has announced members of its Capital Campaign Committee. The Capital Campaign Committee, led by Franklin Food Pantry Board member, Suzanne Gendreau, consists of local leaders and Pantry staff and will work to raise funds to renovate 138 East Central Street into a vibrant functioning Food Pantry. In April of 2020, The Pantry purchased the building to better serve its neighbors. In addition, The Pantry has hired Franklin-based Brad Chaffee of Camford Property Group as its project manager and Kuth Ranieri Architects as its architect to design the plans of the new Pantry.
 |
| Suzanne Gendreau |
Along with Gendreau, the committee members include: Lynn Calling, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry; Kim Cooper, donor relations manager; Ingrid Cornetta, public relations professional; Jeff Ellis, CPA; Glenn Jones, town council member; Susan Morrison, realtor; Donna O'Neill, food pantry volunteer; Laura Often, communications manager; Jeff Roy, state representative and Steve Sherlock, Franklin Matters editor. For more information about the committee visit the Franklin Food Pantry website (https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/new-building-updates/campaign/).
"We couldn't be happier with the group of people who have stepped up to help us raise the money we will need to make our dream of a new building a reality," said Lynn Calling, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. "The Franklin Food Pantry is more than just a food pantry, it is a place to build community, provide resources and help our neighbors improve their quality of life. By moving into a larger building, we will be able to store more food and hold places for our neighbors to meet together to better share resources as well as offer a safer place for our neighbors, volunteers and staff."
The Pantry has also selected Camford Property Group's Brad Chaffee to project manage the build out and named Kuth Ranieri Architects as its architect. The Franklin Food Pantry has conducted focus groups with staff, volunteers and neighbors to learn what they are looking for in a Pantry and the designs will reflect those suggestions and ideas. "Brad's leadership will ensure that the project is both cost-effective and organized. With Brad, we selected Kuth Ranieri Architects because of their experience with civic projects and dedication to improving communities," continued Calling. "They also bring a local connection to the project so we know they will take extra care in ensuring that the building reflects the values of The Pantry and the Franklin Community."
The Franklin Food Pantry will launch a public capital campaign later this year. In the meantime, donors can visit here to make a donation to the campaign or can set up their own fundraising page here. For more information visit: www.franklinfoodpantry.org.
About the Franklin Food Pantry
The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to over 1,400 individuals. As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations, and receives no town or state funding. Between June 2019 and July 2020, 287,691, pounds of food was provided to clients. Other programs include the Weekend Backpack Program, Carts for Clients, Mobile Pantry, and holiday meal packages. Visit www.franklingfoodpantry.org for more information.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)