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Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
SAFE Coalition: COVID-19 FREE VACCINATION CLINIC - Sept 13
Franklin Fire: retired Firefighter Richard A. Leitch, Jr
The Franklin Fire Department regrets to announce the passing of retired Firefighter Richard A. Leitch, Jr. Firefighter Leitch served on the department for over 23 years. Obituary - Norton MA - Norton Memorial Funeral Home https://t.co/YfjF8dBh58
Franklin Fire: retired Firefighter Richard A. Leitch, Jr |
"These groups weaponize the very openness of government to undermine government"
“The backlash” begins an opinion piece in Newsweek by Parents Defending Education outreach director Erika Sanzi, and these may be the most accurate two words published by those who are attacking “wokeness,” gender studies, and Critical Race Theory. The sad fact is that white backlash has a proven record of effectiveness in American politics and it is once again being employed in the service of right wing corporate interests. The end product desired has less to do with CRT than with spreading disruption, fear, and chaos across America’s most important democratic public institution, schools.
According to the Washington Post, as of June 24 CRT (a theory developed in law schools and not well known among most Americans) has exploded on Fox News. The term was heard on Fox only 132 times in 2020 but has been mentioned 1,860 times this year, escalating month by month. The narrative is that grassroots parents groups have discovered the threat CRT poses to their children in schools and have arisen organically across the country to form local parent groups, a movement noticed and captured by websites and the powerful Fox News. The truth is that of an oligarch-funded and coordinated campaign using time tested techniques.
Follow the Money
Over the past five years I’ve been following “education reform” groups created by billionaire investors with names like Families for Excellent Schools, Massachusetts Parents United, and National Parents Union which have presented diversity as their public face while attacking teachers. So when I saw the launch of Parents Defending Education on March 30 I took note because it follows a different path: white backlash aimed more at school boards, superintendents, and principals. The first thing to do when evaluating these groups is always, follow the money. "
https://www.masspoliticsprofs.org/2021/09/03/the-corporate-critical-race-theory-attack-chaos-is-the-product/
The COVID-19 pandemic ends when?
"It’s basically over already. It will end this October. Or maybe it won’t be over till next spring, or late next year, or two or three years down the road.From the most respected epidemiologists to public health experts who have navigated past disease panics, from polemicists to political partisans, there are no definitive answers to the central question in American life: As a Drudge Report headline put it recently, “is it ever going to end?”With children returning to classrooms, in many cases for the first time in 18 months, and as the highly contagious delta variant and spotty vaccination uptake send case numbers and deaths shooting upward, many Americans wonder what exactly has to happen before life can return to something that looks and feels like 2019."
The COVID-19 pandemic ends when? |
Wirecutter: DIY emergency kit for the auto
Don't buy a prepackaged emergency kit. The ones we've looked at either leave out important items, include things you may never use, seem poorly made, or cost too much.
You're much better off creating your own emergency kit. Here's how: https://t.co/GCYaUETEYT
Wirecutter: DIY emergency kit for the auto |
Townwide Curb event - Sep 25-26
"Place all of your gently used or unwanted items on your curb and let the treasure hunting begin!
Everyone would be responsible for removing any unwanted items from their curb after the event."
Townwide Curb event - Sep 25-26 |
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
The Franklin Food Pantry would like you to become a GEM!
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Reminder: Trash/Recycling Pickup delayed one day this week
Trash Delay September 6-10
- If you need another copy of the Curbside pickup flyer for 2021-2022 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/franklin_program_guide_2021-2022_2.pdf
Franklin Residents: Trash Delayed by one day during week of September 6-10, 2021 |
"Hockomock Girls Soccer: Players to Watch in 2021"
From HockomockSports.com we share the "Hockomock Girls Soccer: Players to Watch in 2021"
Norah
Anderson, Junior – Franklin
"Defense has been Franklin’s hallmark for a while now. The Panthers finished 2019 with clean sheets in 11 of their final 12 games, allowing only an extra time goal to Oliver Ames in the playoffs, and opened last season with a string of shutouts. Goals are hard to come by against Franklin and Anderson has been a major reason why.
The junior has been a mainstay at the heart of the defense for the past two seasons, coupling her physical presence with a good reading of the game. Tall and strong, Anderson is willing to mix it up with opposing forwards but she’s also just as capable of making a key interception or cut out an attack without the need of stepping into a challenge.
A strong aerial threat at both ends of the pitch, Anderson is important on set pieces and has grown into a leadership role in the defensive corps. She has also shown increasing calm in possession, which will help the Panthers build from the back. Franklin is looking to defend its league title and Anderson will help keep things strong at the back to give the Panthers a solid foundation."
"Hockomock Girls Soccer: Players to Watch in 2021" |
Franklin Newcomers and Friends are back!!!
Come join your Franklin friends and neighbors at our next monthly gathering on Wednesday, September 15th. We meet upstairs at "3" Restaurant at 7:30 PM on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. We welcome any resident of Franklin, or a surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers Club, to join us. "3" Restaurant is located at 461 West Central Street, Franklin. Complimentary appetizers and beverages are provided and a cash bar is available. We hold our meetings September through May. Additionally, we host many fun and varied events to stay connected throughout the year. We hope you'll join us!!
Town Council Meeting - 09/01/21 - Audio in 2 parts
FM #598 & 599 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 598 & 599 in the series.
This session shares part of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, September 1, 2021.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel, many of the Police promotion and new hires, along with their guest and family members were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
I’ve split the just over 3.5 hour session (total elapsed time) into 2 logical segments:
First - covers the opening, Police promotions, new hires and the Public hearing on the downtown zoning item. The break after the police ceremonies was excluded from this audio. (~59 mins)
Second - covers the balance of the meeting, entry to Executive Session, and then the return to open meeting 40 minutes later (~1 hour and 8 minutes)
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of Sep 1, 2021
Part 1 = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/69af8744-8945-4f07-9192-beec01e71403
Part 2 = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/da222513-19e9-462b-a3d0-794a3699828f
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Agenda document
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/9-1-21_town_council_agenda.pdf
My notes from the meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-town-council-meeting-090121.html
Photos of the Police promotions and swearing in can be found in one album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/VJ494vDqhnX1SEDbA
Town Council Quarterbacking session (a short recap with Council Chair Tom Mercer) ->
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/fm-597-town-council-quarterbacking.html
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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 www.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"
Victoria McVicar, New Hire Introduction & Ceremonial Swearing in |
Franklin Matters Radio shows scheduled for Wednesday, Sep 8 and Saturday, Sep 11
The Franklin Matters Radio shows scheduled for Wednesday, September 8 and Saturday, September 11 are the following:
- 9:00 AM / Noon / 6:00 PM = FM_#596_BoardofHealth-mtg_
20210901 (~ 37 mins) - 11:00 AM / 2:00 PM / 8:00 PM = FM_#596_FSC-Erin Rogers and #597-
Town Council Quarterbacking combination (~ 53 mins)
Saturday
The Board of Health meeting repeats on Saturday at 9:00 AM and the Senior Center/Town Council Quarterbacking combination repeats at 3:00 PM.
You can also find each segment separately in your favorite podcast app or in the Franklin Matters Radio archive -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/fm-podcasts.html
Franklin Matters Radio shows scheduled for Wednesday, Sep 8 and Saturday, Sep 11 |
Monday, September 6, 2021
Veterans Memorial Walkway Update - get your brick order in by Sep 17, 2021
Veterans Memorial Walkway Update
Purchase engraved bricks by September 17, 2021
The next brick installation on the Veterans Memorial Walkway is scheduled for November 2021 to coincide with Veterans' Day.
The deadline for ordering an engraved brick is September 17.
Brick order forms are available at the Senior Center reception desk, the Veterans'
Services Office, Town Hall lobby and on the Veterans page on the Town website.
AN ENGRAVED BRICK MAKES A GREAT GIFT FOR YOUR SPECIAL VETERAN!
Shared from https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/veterans-memorial-walkway-update-3
Veterans Memorial Walkway Update |
The Freedom Trail: Imaging the Age of Phyllis
On September 1, 1773, Phillis Wheatley's "Poem's on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" was published in London. Wheatley's collection was the first volume of poetry by an author of African descent to be published. https://t.co/vzW8rtgG7x https://t.co/PwEZPZkt4F
"For many, Phillis Wheatley Peters is well known as a poet, but not as a woman. She is mainly remembered as a literary prodigy and enslaved girl in 18th century Boston who became the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry.Poet Honorée Fanonne Jeffers sought to revive and expand our collective memory of Phillis through her award-winning book The Age of Phillis. Jeffers’s evocative work calls on us to imagine Phillis through her other identities: a daughter of Africa, a friend, a wife, a mother, and an author who spoke to the historical moment of the American Revolution."
Imaging the Age of Phyllis -> https://www.revolutionaryspaces.org/exhibits/imagining-the-age-of-phillis/
The Freedom Trail: Imaging the Age of Phyllis |
Inside the job market on Labor Day 2021
"A mystery sits at the heart of the economic recovery: There are 10 million job openings, yet more than 8.4 million unemployed are still actively looking for work.The job market looks, in some ways, like a boom-time situation. Business owners complain they can’t find enough workers, pay is rising rapidly, and customers are greeted with “please be patient, we’re short-staffed” signs at many stores and restaurants.But the nation remains in the midst of a deadly pandemic with covid-19 hospitalizations back at their highest rates since January. The surge is weighing on the labor market again, with a mere 235,000 jobs added in August. There are still 5 million fewer jobs compared to before the pandemic, reflecting ongoing problems, including child care as some schools and day cares shut down again from outbreaks.
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At heart, there is a massive reallocation underway in the economy that’s triggering a “Great Reassessment” of work in America from both the employer and employee perspectives. Workers are shifting where they want to work — and how. For some, this is a personal choice. The pandemic and all of the anxieties, lockdowns and time at home have changed people. Some want to work remotely forever. Others want to spend more time with family. And others want a more flexible or more meaningful career path. It’s the “you only live once” mentality on steroids. Meanwhile, companies are beefing up automation and redoing entire supply chains and office setups."