The paradox of choice. Choice is not always positive nor does it foster social change. In this RSAnimate talk, Professor Renata Salecl shows that individual choice is rarely based on a simple rational decision with a predictable outcome:
Thoughts?
Note: Email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Statement From Secretary Jay Gonzalez Regarding Interim Budget
STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY JAY GONZALEZ
Governor Patrick filed an interim budget of $1.25 billion today to ensure that state government has the means to continue providing critical services through July 10, 2011. This funding will ensure that core services such as health care payments to providers for services to children, families, unemployed adults, and the disabled as well as cash assistance for low-income families and seniors did not run out. This interim budget will also fund emergency and first response services including State Police operations, and will provide funding for state obligations for debt service which must be paid early in FY12. We remain hopeful that the Legislature will be able to resolve their differences and submit the FY12 budget to Governor Patrick for review within the next few days.
Alex ZaroulisDirector of CommunicationsExecutive Office for Administration and FinanceState House, Room 373Boston, MA 02133
Friday, June 24, 2011
Go explore the archives!
The format of this site emphasizes the new items. The items that were published previously slide down the page and then off into the monthly archives.
Have you explored the monthly archives?
Did you miss the video tour of the Franklin Public Library?
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/franklin-ma-library-tour-video.html
Do you know about the municipal parking lot lottery?
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/12/municipal-lot-parking-lottery.html
And that the School Business Administrator Interview Questions asked by the School Committee of the candidates back in March 2008 is the single page that is always in the Top 10 search results?
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2008/03/school-business-administrator-interview.html
There are lots of gold in these archives, feel free to explore when you have some spare time.
The tabs along the top will help you get to key meetings. The "Important Links" tab will bring you to the special collections that have been created over the years.
Note: The weekly summary and radio show (or podcast) is still suspended while I figure out how much time I will be able to spend here. I hope to have that resolved during the summer months.
Have you explored the monthly archives?
Did you miss the video tour of the Franklin Public Library?
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/franklin-ma-library-tour-video.html
Do you know about the municipal parking lot lottery?
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/12/municipal-lot-parking-lottery.html
And that the School Business Administrator Interview Questions asked by the School Committee of the candidates back in March 2008 is the single page that is always in the Top 10 search results?
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2008/03/school-business-administrator-interview.html
There are lots of gold in these archives, feel free to explore when you have some spare time.
The tabs along the top will help you get to key meetings. The "Important Links" tab will bring you to the special collections that have been created over the years.
Note: The weekly summary and radio show (or podcast) is still suspended while I figure out how much time I will be able to spend here. I hope to have that resolved during the summer months.
Update: Franklin Town News
Attention Franklin Residents and Businesses:
I know there has been some confusion this month regarding our paper and a new company with a similar name trying to launch a second Franklin newspaper.
Franklin Localtownpages was launched in December of 2010 and we are a free direct mailed monthly newspaper distributed to all businesses and residents in Franklin. Localtownpages connects the residents to what’s happening in town and will continue to do so by supporting Franklin’s news and happenings. Our publication can also be found online at www.franklintownnews.com with a link to your website via your ad.
The new sales representative for Franklin Localtownpages is Lori Koller, she can be reached at 508-934-9608. If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to call our office at 508-533-4588.
Thank You,
Charles Tashjian, Owner/Publisher
Disclosure: I do receive compensation for my monthly article written for the Franklin Town News.
I know there has been some confusion this month regarding our paper and a new company with a similar name trying to launch a second Franklin newspaper.
Franklin Localtownpages was launched in December of 2010 and we are a free direct mailed monthly newspaper distributed to all businesses and residents in Franklin. Localtownpages connects the residents to what’s happening in town and will continue to do so by supporting Franklin’s news and happenings. Our publication can also be found online at www.franklintownnews.com with a link to your website via your ad.
The new sales representative for Franklin Localtownpages is Lori Koller, she can be reached at 508-934-9608. If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to call our office at 508-533-4588.
Thank You,
Charles Tashjian, Owner/Publisher
Disclosure: I do receive compensation for my monthly article written for the Franklin Town News.
Wired Teens - Good Netiquette
The Wired Teens group from Sullivan Middle School developed this set of tips on passwords and good netiquette.
Wired Teens Summer Reminders
Wired Teens Summer Reminders
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Harvest Festival Press Release
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 6/22/11
Register Now for the Franklin Harvest Festival
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is busy planning for the Harvest Festival and currently is registering crafters, artists, vendors and community groups for this year's event.
The festival will be held Sunday, October 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. The Harvest Festival is the Partnership's largest event and more than 4,500 people are expected to attend this year. Once again, Main Street will be closed to car traffic for the festival, which will span East and West Central Streets, Summer Street and Main Street.
Space is limited. Anyone interested in participating should e-mail Angie Grant at agrant@middlesexbank.com for more details and a registration form. More information and the form also can be found on the Partnership's website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/. The registration deadline is August 20th for discounted booth fees. Prior to August 20th, booths are $100. After the 20th deadline the fee is $150.
The Partnership is also looking for sponsors to help offset the cost of the event. As a non-profit organization the Downtown Partnership depends on sponsors to fund the downtown festivals and events. For more information about sponsorship go to our website or contact the Executive Director at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com or (774)571-3109.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Franklin Downtown Partnership using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
5 for Wednesday - investment
Time for something a little different today. I have this drive to learn something new everyday, to share something in a meaningful way with someone and to laugh. The more I can do of each of these three things, each day, the more successful the day is for me. Christopher S Penn started #the5 awhile ago. I picked up on it because it fit with what I was already doing (learning, sharing, laughing). I extended Chris' #the5 by creating Twitter Bingo. This mixes a game I played growing up with the new world of Twitter.
So that much said, here is #the5 for today. These are five articles I found of interest in a quick read this morning. I was able to connect them all with the theme of investment.
When something matters to you, you end up spending time and money.
When either time or money is short, you end up prioritizing, making choices.
When making choices, you should consider the big picture and where these choices fit.
You should also recognize that you are not alone, someone else maybe making the same choices.
Maybe you can learn from with they are doing, maybe you and they can do it better together than either of you could do it alone.
You can get to this point of collaboration, cooperation by starting with conversation.
Overtime the conversation can build a relationship, can build some understanding, and some trust.
What do you think?
This was originally posted on my website Steve's 2 Cents. If you would like to read more like this, you can visit there and subscribe via email or RSS Feed.
So that much said, here is #the5 for today. These are five articles I found of interest in a quick read this morning. I was able to connect them all with the theme of investment.
“Learning the tools is much easier, because no one can help you lead.” http://j.mp/l0TKFK goodness from @lizstrauss #sobcon #the5Liz Strauss tells a good story about Hunter S Thompson and suggests a rewording of one of his sentences to make her point.
"These people believed in you, now tell them what you are doing with their investment" http://j.mp/iJG2AK #the5 @geofflivingGeoff Livingston previews the findings of a study on non-profit fund raising that will be discussed in a webinar. The findings have good info to help reinforce some of what we'll be doing at the Franklin Food Pantry.
“Anything, everything, is not only possible, it’s probable. No one person has more value than another" http://j.mp/iAqopV #the5Deb Brown writes a summary of what she saw and heard at the 140 Conference last week in NYC. The quote is from a talk by Ann Curry.
"People don’t internalize depressing images; they tune them out" http://j.mp/iH8lZf goodness from @tomasacker #the5Tom Asacker shares his insights on the new FDA anti-smoking ad campaign. I think he is spot on!
"For too many elders, a cut as small as five or ten dollars makes a negative difference in their lives" http://j.mp/kx1WX0 #the5Ronni Bennett shares her views on the AARP position statement about Social Security that was announced last Friday. If the AARP position has truly changed, this could be a big deal!
When something matters to you, you end up spending time and money.
When either time or money is short, you end up prioritizing, making choices.
When making choices, you should consider the big picture and where these choices fit.
You should also recognize that you are not alone, someone else maybe making the same choices.
Maybe you can learn from with they are doing, maybe you and they can do it better together than either of you could do it alone.
You can get to this point of collaboration, cooperation by starting with conversation.
Overtime the conversation can build a relationship, can build some understanding, and some trust.
What do you think?
This was originally posted on my website Steve's 2 Cents. If you would like to read more like this, you can visit there and subscribe via email or RSS Feed.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Important Franklin Downtown Partnership Updates
|
Franklin Food Pantry announces “Plant a Row”
What grows in your garden? Do you have tomatoes and peas , or are you like Mary here
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With peppers, beans, and lots of greens,
And tall sweet corn in a row!
Have you considered planting a row in your garden for the Franklin Food Pantry? Modeled after the national “Plant a Row” program, this is a good way for gardeners to contribute. Grow some fresh and healthy food to share. Then, when it is ready, take those healthy fruits, herbs, and veggies to the Food Pantry, where they will be distributed to your neighbors and families.
Why Plant a Row? Plant a Row is rooted in the heartfelt tradition of gardeners sharing a bountiful harvest with others. Sharing can happen on many levels. Home gardeners, schools, church groups, youth and community organizations, and even area businesses can all help make a difference for their neighbors who experience hunger or the threat of hunger.
Nothing beats the taste and nutrition of fresh-picked vegetables. Growing and eating from your own garden can improve your health, save you money, increase your sustainability, and decrease your carbon footprint. And most important, your Franklin Food Pantry announces garden can help your Franklin neighbors.
You can sign up by emailing PlantARow@franklinfoodpantry.org or visit Franklin’s Plant a Row website http://www.plantarowfranklin.org/
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With peppers, beans, and lots of greens,
And tall sweet corn in a row!
Have you considered planting a row in your garden for the Franklin Food Pantry? Modeled after the national “Plant a Row” program, this is a good way for gardeners to contribute. Grow some fresh and healthy food to share. Then, when it is ready, take those healthy fruits, herbs, and veggies to the Food Pantry, where they will be distributed to your neighbors and families.
Why Plant a Row? Plant a Row is rooted in the heartfelt tradition of gardeners sharing a bountiful harvest with others. Sharing can happen on many levels. Home gardeners, schools, church groups, youth and community organizations, and even area businesses can all help make a difference for their neighbors who experience hunger or the threat of hunger.
Nothing beats the taste and nutrition of fresh-picked vegetables. Growing and eating from your own garden can improve your health, save you money, increase your sustainability, and decrease your carbon footprint. And most important, your Franklin Food Pantry announces garden can help your Franklin neighbors.
You can sign up by emailing PlantARow@franklinfoodpantry.org or visit Franklin’s Plant a Row website http://www.plantarowfranklin.org/
"You're never going to have 100 percent perfection"
The state Department of Environmental Protection "wants us to try to figure out what was wrong," he said. "We're doing that by eliminating those possibilities."
A routine water sample taken last Tuesday from a well on East Central Street tested positive for fecal bacteria, either E. coli or enterococci. The well was immediately taken offline and the town notified the public through a mass recorded phone call and a press release on its website.
No other samples have come back positive and residents do not need to boil water or take other precautions, Perrotta said.
Perrotta emphasized that the sample was taken before the water had gone through treatment.
"I think the important thing is that the treated water did not have a problem," he said. "That's why we treat it."
Before the sample was taken last week, a blockage developed in the culvert, which is under an access road to the well. A small stream goes through the culvert. The blockage caused water to build up, potentially making it easier for bacteria to enter the well. The culvert broke late last week, Perrotta said.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1757338925/Franklin-workers-hope-culvert-repair-solves-water-contamination#ixzz1Pu51jxMW
"needs to open its doors in Franklin within 18 months"
Steve Senna, a project manager with National Development in Newton, said Hamilton Storage Technologies wants to combine its Hopkinton and Milford offices into a new, 50,000-square-foot building at the intersection of Rte. 140 and Forge Parkway.
"We thank you for the opportunity to present what we think is a very exciting and in these times very rare development opportunity," Senna told the board.
The company, which manufacturers refrigerators used in laboratories and also has its European headquarters in Switzerland, was attracted to the 8-acre, 3 Forge Parkway lot because it is close to Interstate 495, commuter rail and a hotel, Senna said.
Many of Hamilton Storage Technologies' employees live nearby and its clients often come from out-of-state for a week to see how its refrigerators operate, he said.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1757338933/High-technology-company-eyes-move-to-Franklin#ixzz1Pu42d2CG
Monday, June 20, 2011
MBTA readies crackdown on parking delinquents
Wow - if you park at either of the Franklin MBTA lots, please take care. $21 is pretty steep for missing to pay!
The state is about to drop the hammer on parking scofflaws at its 95 parking facilities throughout the commonwealth. Starting July 1, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will assess a $21 fine for delinquent payments made by commuters at its network of parking lots and garages. The current penalty for nonpayment of daily parking charges at MBTA lots is $1. Jonathan Davis, the MBTA's chief financial officer since the mid 1990s, said the move was endorsed by the authority's board to enhance collection rates and incentivize commuters to pay parking fees in a timely...
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
The state is about to drop the hammer on parking scofflaws at its 95 parking facilities throughout the commonwealth. Starting July 1, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will assess a $21 fine for delinquent payments made by commuters at its network of parking lots and garages. The current penalty for nonpayment of daily parking charges at MBTA lots is $1. Jonathan Davis, the MBTA's chief financial officer since the mid 1990s, said the move was endorsed by the authority's board to enhance collection rates and incentivize commuters to pay parking fees in a timely...
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Franklin, MA: 4th of July Schedule
The schedule of events for Franklin's 4th of July celebration is available:
Thursday, June 30th:
• 6pm-10pm Rides and food booths open
• 7pm-10pm DJ and local youth bands
Friday, July 1st:
• 6pm-10pm Rides and food booths open
• 7pm-10pm Corvairs Oldie Band
Saturday, July 2nd:
Children's Day
• 10am-10pm Rides and food booths open
• AM road races by Rec. Dept
• 12 noon Children’s Parade
• 1pm-2pm Lisa & Friends Puppets
• 2pm-3pm Flippo the Clown
• 3pm-4pm TBA
• 4pm-7pm Franklin Idol
• 7pm-10pm "Groove Doctors" Band
• 10pm FIREWORKS!!! Franklin High School
Sunday, July 3rd:
• 1pm-10pm Rides and food booths open
• 2pm-3:30pm PARADE
• 4pm-7pm Franklin has talent
• 7pm-10pm Digger Dawg Band
Monday, July 4th:
• 10am-7pm Rides and food booths open
• 10am-2pm DJ
• 2pm Talent winners announced
• 5pm-7pm DJ
• 6pm Drawings to be drawn
The 4th of July celebration is supported by volunteers, and donor contributions. You can contribute by mailing a check or by using your credit card in a secure online transaction here: http://july4thfranklinma.com/donations.asp
Thursday, June 30th:
• 6pm-10pm Rides and food booths open
• 7pm-10pm DJ and local youth bands
Friday, July 1st:
• 6pm-10pm Rides and food booths open
• 7pm-10pm Corvairs Oldie Band
Saturday, July 2nd:
Children's Day
• 10am-10pm Rides and food booths open
• AM road races by Rec. Dept
• 12 noon Children’s Parade
• 1pm-2pm Lisa & Friends Puppets
• 2pm-3pm Flippo the Clown
• 3pm-4pm TBA
• 4pm-7pm Franklin Idol
• 7pm-10pm "Groove Doctors" Band
• 10pm FIREWORKS!!! Franklin High School
Sunday, July 3rd:
• 1pm-10pm Rides and food booths open
• 2pm-3:30pm PARADE
• 4pm-7pm Franklin has talent
• 7pm-10pm Digger Dawg Band
Monday, July 4th:
• 10am-7pm Rides and food booths open
• 10am-2pm DJ
• 2pm Talent winners announced
• 5pm-7pm DJ
• 6pm Drawings to be drawn
The 4th of July celebration is supported by volunteers, and donor contributions. You can contribute by mailing a check or by using your credit card in a secure online transaction here: http://july4thfranklinma.com/donations.asp
Sunday, June 19, 2011
"just don't have the means to purchase food"
The food assistance program is meant to help families and individuals who live near the poverty line put healthy food on the table. To qualify, a household of two with children can make no more than $2,429 in gross income per month, $3,052 for a household of three or $3,675 for a household of four, according to a state website on the program. SNAP also has limits on savings and other resources to qualify.
Benefits, which total more than $107 million a month in Massachusetts, are federally funded. The national and state governments split the cost of administering the program. Recipients receive benefits on Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT, cards, which limit what the money can be spent on.
Kehoe said the state has worked over the past few years to improve access to the SNAP program. Eight to 10 years ago, Massachusetts ranked 48th in the nation for the number of residents who were eligible and had actually signed up for food stamps, she said. Today, the state ranks eighth.
The state has taken steps such as shortening applications for seniors, allowing a medical deduction aimed at helping the elderly and disabled, lowering how often participants have to recertify that they qualify and holding outreach and health expos, Kehoe said. The agency has especially targeted seniors, many of whom saw a stigma attached to accepting food assistance, she said.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1425876941/Food-stamp-use-jumps-85-percent-in-four-years#ixzz1Pis1gm7M
Franklin should have a choice on fluoride
In case you missed Rich Aucoin's Letter to the Editor, it is reprinted in full here. Thanks for sharing Rich!
Rich Aucoin,
Franklin resident
Helpful links:
Kidney Foundation Drops Fluoridation Support
http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/06/09/idUS123736+09-Jun-2008+PRN20080609
Civil Rights Leaders Oppose Fluoridation on the Grounds that it Harms the Poor
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/14/idUS192420+14-Apr-2011+PRN20110414
Franklin Board of Health: 508-520-4905
To the Editor:
The US Dept of Health & Human Services warned in January that American children are overdosing on fluoride, causing an increase in dental fluorosis. A group of Franklin residents investigated Franklin's water supply and learned that in 1970 the Board of Health ordered fluoridation, making Franklin families take fluoride every day whether they want to or not.
Most MA towns remain Pro-choice on Fluoride. Nearby towns like Milford, Bellingham, Hopedale, Blackstone, Mendon and Plainville, for example, all remain Pro-choice. Just as with all other common household medications, if people want fluoride they can easily get it. There's no reason to force it on everyone.
Even licensed physicians cannot force their patients to take a medication, nor would any responsible doctor recommend ingesting a drug in uncontrolled dosages. So it stands to reason that unlicensed practitioners such as the Board of Health members should not be doing these things either.
Even though the Board members don't dispute that individuals have a basic human right to choose their own meds, they nonetheless refused a request last month by concerned Franklin residents to restore Fluoride Choice to Franklin. The Board said it lacks the authority to end its own policy and referred the residents to the Attorney General.
However, Chief AG Attorney Margaret Hurley disagreed with the Board on May 6th, saying that Mass Gen Law Chapter 111 makes local health officials responsible for enforcing medical freedom. Still the Board said no to Choice.
By blindly continuing an unfair and outdated fluoridation policy even as fluorosis rates are on the rise, the Board members are exposing the town to unnecessary health and legal risks.
It is time to bring Fluoride Choice back to Franklin, which will also save taxpayers $35,880 every year in fluoridation-related costs.
Rich Aucoin,
Franklin resident
Helpful links:
Kidney Foundation Drops Fluoridation Support
http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/06/09/idUS123736+09-Jun-2008+PRN20080609
Civil Rights Leaders Oppose Fluoridation on the Grounds that it Harms the Poor
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/14/idUS192420+14-Apr-2011+PRN20110414
Franklin Board of Health: 508-520-4905
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Why Franklin, MA public schools deserve your financial support
If you need proof that your local tax dollars are being spent well at the Franklin, MA public schools, please take a few seconds to look at the following repost from the 02038.com blog.
The post covers the recent art festival held at the Franklin High School by the school’s Franklin Arts Academy (FAA). The FAA functions as a school within a school. It helps boost the academic achievements of artistically talented Franklin students who might otherwise struggle in a traditional school environment.
Why Franklin public schools deserve your financial support
As I said in the 02038.com post: Franklin High School’s excellence in action
You can read the whole post here.
The post covers the recent art festival held at the Franklin High School by the school’s Franklin Arts Academy (FAA). The FAA functions as a school within a school. It helps boost the academic achievements of artistically talented Franklin students who might otherwise struggle in a traditional school environment.
Video of the FAA’s art festival
Here’s a short video of the art festival:
Why Franklin public schools deserve your financial support
I brought my two young sons to the art festival thinking I’d be showing them some typical high school art. Instead I came away excited about the vision and dedication of Franklin High’s teaching and administrative staff and very encouraged about the future of Franklin’s public schools. We have something special in the Franklin public schools and we’d be smart to dedicate the funding needed in coming years to maintain the outstanding services we are getting from the system.
As I said in the 02038.com post: Franklin High School’s excellence in action
It says a lot about the quality and dedication of the educators in the Franklin Public School system that the High School has implemented such a forward-thinking and creative program that truly helps students.
In these times of budget cuts and municipal layoffs, it is refreshing to see such dedication to the ideals of public education. Please remember this the next time you hear complaints about local real estate taxes and municipal spending. Support your public schools!
You can read the whole post here.
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