MA Election - Nov 4th - Ballot Question #3 - Expanding Prohibitions on Gaming

Four ballot questions will be presented all voters in the Commonwealth of MA voters in the election Nov 4, 2014. Franklin voters will have two additional questions.

This is the third in a series of posts to help spread the word on the topic of each the ballot questions

By now you should have received from the Secretary of the Commonwealth the familiar red flyer with the "Information for Voters". This text comes from the Secretary's website and is the same as in the red flyer.

MA Information for Voters - Nov 4, 2014

QUESTION 3: Law Proposed by Initiative Petition

Expanding Prohibitions on Gaming

Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives on or before May 6, 2014?

SUMMARY

This proposed law would (1) prohibit the Massachusetts Gaming Commission from issuing any license for a casino or other gaming establishment with table games and slot machines, or any license for a gaming establishment with slot machines; (2) prohibit any such casino or slots gaming under any such licenses that the Commission might have issued before the proposed law took effect; and (3) prohibit wagering on the simulcasting of live greyhound races.

The proposed law would change the definition of “illegal gaming” under Massachusetts law to include wagering on the simulcasting of live greyhound races, as well as table games and slot machines at Commission-licensed casinos, and slot machines at other Commission-licensed gaming establishments. This would make those types of gaming subject to existing state laws providing criminal penalties for, or otherwise regulating or prohibiting, activities involving illegal gaming.

The proposed law states that if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.

A YES VOTE would prohibit casinos, any gaming establishment with slot machines, and wagering on simulcast greyhound races.

A NO VOTE would make no change in the current laws regarding gaming.

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ARGUMENTS
As provided by law, the 150-word arguments are written by proponents and opponents of each question, and reflect their opinions. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not endorse these arguments, and does not certify the truth or accuracy of any statement made in these arguments. The names of the individuals and organizations who wrote each argument, and any written comments by others about each argument, are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

IN FAVOR: Massachusetts can do better than casinos. Just ask the “experts”:

• Governor Patrick¹, Speaker DeLeo² and Senate President Murray³ agree: No casino in their hometowns.

• The former CEO of American Gaming said he would “work very, very hard against” a casino in his hometown.⁴

• Ledyard, Connecticut’s mayor said there has been “no economic development spin-off from (Foxwoods). Businesses do not come here.”⁵

• Moody’s downgraded its casino outlook from “stable” to “negative”⁶ and Fitch Ratings said the casino market “is reaching a saturation point.”⁷

• Indiana prosecutors needed an additional court just to handle casino-related crimes.⁸

Listen to the experts. Vote Yes: Stop the casino mess.

¹ http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/11/gov_deval_patrick_says_he_woul.html
² http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/11/like_deval_patrick_massachuset.html
³ http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_24644606/like-patrick-and-deleo-murray-would-not-want
⁴ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbRYUEtpGVQ
⁵ http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20031002-NEWS-310029963?cid=sitesearch
⁶ http://www.streetinsider.com/Credit+Ratings/Moodys+Lowers+Outlook+on+U.S.+Gaming+Industry+to+Negative+(LVS)+(MGM)+(IGT)+(BYI)/9624468.html
⁷ Wall Street Journal, June 19, 2014, Casino Boom Pinches Northeastern States Influx of Competition Leaves Early Players—Such as Delaware, New Jersey and West Virginia—Struggling to Keep Bets Flowing, By Scott Calvert and Jon Kamp
⁸ http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/documents/KarenRichardsLetter.pdf

Authored by:
Repeal The Casino Deal Committee
5 Michael’s Mall, #520162
Winthrop, MA 02152
617-701-7823
www.Question3Facts.org

AGAINST: A no vote will preserve the state’s Expanded Gaming Law, generating thousands of construction and permanent jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for our cities and towns. Every year Massachusetts residents spend close to $900,000,000 at casinos in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine adding millions to their state budgets.

The Law already has provided voters in several communities, including Springfield and Plainville, an opportunity to bring much needed jobs and economic activity to their communities through first-class development projects. At the same time, the Law has ensured that no community opposed to a casino within its borders will have one. To help further protect residents, the Law contains industry leading consumer safeguards and dedicated public health funding.

Vote no on question 3 to create jobs, economic growth and much-needed new revenue in Massachusetts.

Authored by:
The Honorable Domenic Sarno
Mayor of Springfield
P.O. Box 8670
Boston, MA 02114
617-520-4559
www.ProtectMassJobs.com

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FULL TEXT OF QUESTION:

Be it enacted by the people and their authority:

SECTION 1. Section 7 of chapter 4 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out clause Tenth and inserting in place thereof the following clause:

“Tenth, ’Illegal gaming,‘ a banking or percentage game played with cards, dice, tiles or dominoes, or an electronic, electrical or mechanical device or machine for money, property, checks, credit or any representative of value, but excluding: (i) a lottery game conducted by the state lottery commission, under sections 24, 24A and 27 of chapter 10; (ii) pari-mutuel wagering on horse races under chapters 128A and 128C; (iii) a game of bingo conducted under chapter 271; and (iv) charitable gaming under said chapter 271.”

SECTION 2. Chapter 23K of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section 72 following section 71:

“Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or any general or special law to the contrary, no illegal gaming as defined in section 7 of chapter 4 shall be conducted or permitted in this commonwealth and the commission is hereby prohibited from accepting or approving any application or request therefor.”

SECTION 3. The several provisions of this Act are independent and severable and the invalidity, if any, of any part or feature thereof shall not affect or render the remainder of the Act invalid or inoperative.

If you have not registered to vote, you can still do so up until Wednesday, October 15, 2014.

The Franklin Town Clerk's office hours are

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm
• Wednesday 8:00am-6:00pm
• Friday 8:00am-1:pm

For absentee ballots and additional information on the election visit the Town Clerk's page here  http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/index

For additional information from the Secretary of the Commonwealth, visit the Elections page here   http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleidx.htm

Harvest Festival Kids' Fundraiser Success!

Hi there! 

Katherine Kurtz (left) Mirabella Carrara (right)

I just wanted to share with "FRANKLIN MATTERS" about the wonderful, and successful day our girls had at their Harvest Festival booth. 

Mirabella Carrara and Katherine Kurtz, both age 9, met in pre-school, forming an immediate bond. They now sit side-by-side in their forth grade classroom at Davis Thayer Elementary. Their philanthropic hearts and love for American Girl dolls gave rise to the idea of selling crafts in order to raise money to buy toys, books and dolls for patients at Boston Children's Hospital, where Mirabella was treated as a baby. 

The girls partnered with American Girl Place in Natick and were able to shop there and deliver gifts to BCH last year. 

crafts sold to raise money

With the local support and encouragement, the girls have decided to make this an annual event and started their efforts early this year. Through sales and generous donations, they raised $342 yesterday, selling hot pink sparkly star ornaments and earrings that they made. They also had a coloring table where children were encouraged to color an official Get Well card. We collected over 50 Get Well cards that will be delivered with our gifts in December. 

Thank you to Franklin for supporting these girls, their great idea, and the children at Boston Children's Hospital! 

Kellie Carrara (mother)
Franklin, MA

making Get Well cards at the Harvest Festival

"the important (thing) is where we are going"

The School Committee took time to recognize students on Tuesday night. Sophia Addi was recognized for being selected to the All National Concert Band. Several high school students were recognized for their contribution to get the technology deployed and ready at the new FHS building. The STAR team spent many days/hours during the summer and as school opened.

Supt Sabolinski, Sophia Addi, School Committee Chairperson Paula Mullen, Kevin O'Malley (left to right)

The technology update revealed that the 1700 chromebooks are up and running to provide a 1:1 educational experience for the students. The network was built to handle not just today's capacity but for the future.

Additional chromebooks were purchased for the K-8 grades. While the wireless points were expanded in all the schools, not all the chromebooks have been deployed yet. The smart boards re-redeployed from the old high school building were set up in K-8 clasrooms that did not previously have them.

Technology training is being provided to the teachers at the high school. The training was budgeted as part of the new building project. Training for all the teachers on technology continues to be a challenge.

A new Digital Literacy Group has been formed within the schools to work on helping define and update policy regarding the use of technology in education. This group will also continue to address the educational needs of the teachers in using the technology appropriately in the classroom.

The facility update acknowledged that the parking situation at the high school may be resolved in the next couple of weeks. Paving the newer sections of the parking lot is underway. Paving the extension of Panther Way to the high school will also relieve traffic issues on Oak St.

The security separating the 'public' sections of the new high school is still being worked on. The bell system to alert all on changing classes is not yet working. They are using music to do so now. The music is prompting a discussion on involving the students in the selection of music to be played.

Such engagement is a good thing. The meeting had opened with teacher union president Chandler Creedon raising some issues from the teachers around the handling of the incident at the high school. Established procedures were not followed and teachers were being asked to do things that they should not have. As the investigation into the email is still underway with police and FBI activity, the full debrief is not yet scheduled but being planned for.

The complete set of notes taken during the School Committee meeting Tuesday can be found here

• Live reporting - Closing
• Live reporting - Action Items
• Live reporting - Facility Update
• Live reporting - Technology update
• Live reporting - STAR Team
• Live reporting: School Committee - Oct 7, 2014
• 
  

Blackstone Valley: Things to do in October

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October: Things to do in the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor For a complete, detailed listing of events, see the event calendar.  Guided Walking Tour: 1670s Pawtucket - The Jenks Settlement Saturdays in October 11:00 am - 12:30 Starts at 11:00 am at Slater Mill 67 Roosevelt Avenue Pawtucket, RI  Walking tours of 1670s Pawtucket, The Jenks Settlement follow a one-mile path of downtown Pawtucket, RI, beginning and ending at Old Slater Mill, the Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution.  The tour will explore the locations of the first iron forge in Pawtucket, established prior to the outbreak of King Philip's War, as well as the settlements of Jenks' four sons and other historic sites and structures.  Read more Fall Foliage Cruises Aboard the Blackstone Valley Explorer Sundays in October On the hour at 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm Experience the brilliant autumn colors along the historic Blackstone River aboard the Blackstone Valley Explorer Riverboat. Due to extremely low water levels in the Blackstone River, the Fall Foliage Tours will now operate out of the current riverboat tour site, at Central Falls Landing, at the corner of Broad Street & Madeira Avenue, Central Falls, RI. Read more Museum of Work & Culture: Made-to-Order Mondays Mondays in October Museum of Work and Culture Woonsocket, RI  On October 6, 2014 the Museum of Work & Culture will open its doors to visitors of all-abilities for a new program called "Made to Order Mondays."  As part of its special education initiative, the Museum has been developing programs and resources in order to better serve visitors of all cognitive and physical abilities in an open and welcoming environment. Read more 36th Annual Woonsocket Autumnfest Saturday, October 11 - Monday October 13 World War II Memorial Park 40 Snow Street Woonsocket, RI Sat, Sun - 10:00 am - 10:00 pm Monday - 10:00 am - 6:15 pm  Some of the fun includes an international food court, kidfest, a 3-hour parade, arts and crafts, consumer showcase, entertainment and a beer garden. Read more Paper Cutting Crafts: Halloween Decorations at Smith-Appleby House Museum Sunday, October 19 Smith-Appleby House Museum 220 Stillwater Road Smithfield, RI  Just in time for Halloween. Make your own Halloween decoration! Scherenschnitte (shear-n-snit-a) is the charming art of paper cutting. Smith-Appleby House will be hosting their own session of Scherenschnitte fun, presented as a craft in their barn, for young and old alike.  After folding and cutting your own Halloween decoration, you'll tour the historical Smith-Appleby House to see and hear what daily life was really like in Colonial Rhode Island during the American Revolution. Tours are led by educators and history enthusiasts in Colonial dress.  Read more Heritage Starlight Taste of the Valley Thursday, October 23 Felter's Mill 22 West Street Millbury, MA 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Celebrating the Great Gatsby & the Roaring Twenties!  Come dressed to impress! Read more Event Calendar Check out the event calendar for a more complete, detailed listing of Blackstone Corridor Events: Event Calendar  We are glad to include Corridor-related news and events, both on our web site calendar and in our monthly newsletter, Corridor Currents. Send us your stuff! The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor is a unique cultural landscape of industrial history and immigration in the interconnected system of the Blackstone River watershed. An energetic nonprofit, the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Inc. partners with organizations, local communities and businesses, and residents to insure the long term vitality of the Corridor. Water Powered!

Forward this email Privacy Policy. Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor | One Depot Square | Woonsocket | RI | 02895

Walk to Break the Silence - Oct 18th

Friendly reminder that you can take action to help end domestic violence.

Voices Against Violence provides comprehensive services including a 24 hour hotline, crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy and shelter to more the 3000 victims and survivors in the Metrowest area every year. Voices depends on the generosity of the community to ensure that life-saving services remain free and accessible to all. 

The "Walk to Break the Silence" is an annual, family-friendly, 1/2 day rally and walk-a-thon event in downtown Framingham that celebrates the strength and courage of victims and survivors. The event includes powerful visual art displays, games and face painting for the kids, inspiration from our speakers, and a little exercise too! Registration is free and there are several ways you can lend your support - you can be a Team Captain, a Walker, or a Virtual Friend!

The "Walk to Break the Silence" flyer:




For additional information about Voices Against Violence you can visit their webpage
http://smoc.org/voices-against-violence.php

To register for the Walk to Break the Silence, follow this link

Register to Walk to Break the Silence

“Even if you want to stay focused, it is just so tempting"

As there are two sides to a coin, there are two sides to a story. To pair with the glowing technology update Tuesday night at the School Committee meeting, we can also share this timely student update on the new Chromebooks:

Use of the new chromebooks at Franklin High School causes students to be distracted in class due to what is visible on their peer’s screen. Although they create many educational benefits, at times they become problems in the classroom. 

A student will be in a class, and the student next to them will be playing a game or messaging their friends. Instead of focusing on what the teacher says, the student eyes will veer onto the computer screen of the person sitting next to them. 

Now they are distracted.

- See more at: http://pantherbook.org/student-life/2014/10/07/chromebooks-create-classroom-distractions/#sthash.WG6UKSW3.dpuf

Pantherbook reports on chromebook 'distractions'

My notes from the technology update can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/live-reporting-technology-update.html

Live reporting - Closing

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
(Sept 2013 to Sept 2014 enrollment comparison)

virus update, hand washing best practice
health advisory posted to alert the community

follow up on the emergency situation
we will be scheduling a de-brief, there is still an on-going investigation
need to wait until the investigation closes to have all the facts
there are some things we could have done better
we have a training tomorrow with the Fire Dept and will be talking with the Chief

for ConnectEd
parents sign up at the school
can sign up for phone calls and/or emails and entered at the schools
call the school secretary to sign up, can sign up at anytime
if you don't opt in, you don't get notified

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
none

School Committee Liaison Reports

none

6. New Business

To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

FEF fund raiser, Nov 1

parents we thrilled to see the curriculum night and the technology working, heard from more than several parents

it was a far cry from lining up in the field house, there is a new way of doing business at the high school

7. Executive Session

Contractual Negotiations

not needed

8. Adjourn

motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 6-0

Live reporting - Action Items

3. Discussion Only Items

Policy – Second Readings
1. GBGB – Staff Health and Safety
2. IJOC – School Volunteers

no updates or changes

4. Action Items

a. I recommend adoption of Policies as discussed
1. GBGB – Staff Health and Safety
2. IJOC – School Volunteers
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0

b. I recommend acceptance of three checks totaling $3,286.50 from the Keller PCC for Field Trips.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0

c. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $1,200.00 from the JFK PCC for Field Trips.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0

d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,500.00 from the Jefferson PCC for Field Trips.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0

e. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $746.80 from the Oak St. PCC for Field Trips.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0

f. I recommend approval of the request of the Remington Adventure Club’s field trip to Mt. Monadnock in Jaffrey, NH on October 25th (rain date 11/1/14) as detailed.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0

g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $400.00 from Shaw's and Star Market for in-house enrichment at FHS.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0

h. I recommend acceptance of the donation of art supplies valued at $277.00 from DonorsChoose.org for FHS.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0

Live reporting - Facility Update

2. Guests/Presentations

d. Facilities Update – Maureen Sabolinski
we got our building permit on Aug 20th, paving of the new parking lot is progressing
maybe able to resolve our parking issue in about 2-3 weeks
still working on the security system
just not at times working together, police answering calls at all hours of the day
still working on training, the training was built into the cost of the high school
much of this needs to happen during the day so we are relying on subs

signs are not quite right
Braille for example incorrectly told that the men's room was actually the women's room
flags for the gym haven't arrived yet
bell system doesn't work yet, using music to playing of the changing of classes
A/C is working in all areas of the building
the building committee has been very responsive in getting the issues addressed

once the parking lot is done, that will also open Panther Way and alleviate the traffic on Oak St

fields would be seeded for the spring and then used a year later
need to get the field established

problems with one spots and parking lights, should go away when the new parking lot is open

Live reporting - Technology update

2. Guests/Presentations

c. Tech Update / Plan – Tim Rapoza, Joyce Edwards

1700 Chromebooks distributed over couple of days and nights
220 wireless access points, the telephones, all needed to be programmed and set up
today we had an all day training on the audio section
85-90% released and trained at this point, we're not done yet

you have seen the robot, we have 3-D printers
if you have any specific question, I'd be happy to answer them

Q -What are the outstanding issues?
A - large software deployments to the teachers are finishing up, doing the one-offs here and there
One software piece had the standard license instead of the premium

the robotics kits just arrived last week

new tablets are still not shipped from the factory yet, they are a proto-type for school and ruggardized for use; trying to get 2 demo units per science lab
once we get them, we'll be glad we waited

system wide we tweak the security on the public versus academic side
working with the vendor to configure it appropriately
we are close to getting it install the proper way
right now the Facilities Director doesn't have remote access to the devices in the high school

Joyce

some low level usage to high level usage
seeing references instantaneously to advance and reinforce the learning

students can do peer editing across the room with one another
students creating content and adding to a body of knowledge out there
specialized programs being used
lots of math and graphing being used

part of the 1-1 initiative extends the learning to anytime anywhere

step back about 3.5 years ago
the conference geared to using technology in instruction
that core group of 100 folks has continued to contribute to the body of knowledge within the staff

25 came voluntarily to debrief
Digital Learning Community formed preschool through 12
how do we help each other, harness and channel it to help our students
the focus is on instruction 
how can we harness learning in real time?
take a look at the 'acceptable use policies' and see of changes may be required
how can families access the technology appropriately
stay within the boundaries that are safe, what should students know how to do by grade

this plays into electronic testing with PARCC coming

need to continue to support the teachers and their digital learning
keep them with the curve; build capacity within the district

sometimes the value is with failure

teachers are using all kinds of applications
how do we have equity and access?

Sabolinski

the important is where we are going

Raposa

another 200 access points for K-8
another 1000 Chromebooks to be deployed to get ready for PARCC
now we are prepared to go 1:1 in every school

re-deployed interactive whiteboards in K-8 classrooms

other technology being stored in trailers (at an undisclosed location) until the staff is ready for deployment

wireless vendor visits on technology
Panasonic and Dell have requested case studies of the implementation
defacto Chromebook roll-outs are increasing so there are more visits coming

O'Malley

applaud both of you for the commitment that it takes to deploy such to all
applaud the teachers - it is not just a new skill, it is a major re-tooling
it is a big todo, it not a new series of text books

we need a set of expectation for our students grade by grade, what should they know when
When do we have PowerPoint when the teacher can count on the students knowing it?

Joyce

The committee does that have as a task
the State also has standards coming out so we are looking to see what they have in this area

Trahan

do you have a calculation for determining the wireless hot spots

Raposa

it is complicated and ha many factors including what the building is made of
we had started with other schools and practiced
you need to have coverage and capacity
we wanted 10,000 simultaneous connections
one access point per room and one every 50' of the corridor

Rohrbach

Do you have a structured plan for rolling the devices out to the teachers
incorporating the training needs

Joyce

using subs to backfill training spots 6-7 at a time
targeted professional development

teacher PDP piece in place for a long time now
have we hit saturation?no
do we need more time and money? yes
we also need to focus on preschool - 8

Raposa

we have a specialist on staff now doing before and after hour sessions
she is now camping in the teacher rooms to be their source of info and move from teacher room to another
trying to build that tiered level of support within the staff to meet the needs

Clement

have we had any casualties?

Raposa

yes, daily, there is a process with the insurance to cover this, return the units to the vendor to do repair, etc.
we have some buffer stations to use for swap outs
72 systems int he Library for check out like a book for the day (charge, etc.)
there is another inventory for the tech staff to handle the swaps
look in the system to see how many have books and to ensure none slip through the cracks

Mullen

what percent are using Chromebooksvs. personal systems

Raposa

95% using Chromebooks versus personal systems

Live reporting - STAR Team

2. Guests/Presentations

b. Star Team Plaque Presentation

"What do you expect we are computer geeks?"

"It was fun working with the teachers, older teachers and new teachers"
"it was also interesting when we had to say, I told you yesterday what to do"

"Plugging in the wires and working the computers, was better than pushing the carts"

"printing the IDs, printing and hoping that it would print" (almost 2,000)
"the first and frequent question on the Chromebooks was how to print" "Use the print button"

*** five minute recess to allow for some to leave the meeting ***