Voices of Franklin: Colin Cass on what "partisan" means and doesn't mean

In his indignant article titled “Politics Sizzles” in The Franklin Observer (10/14/21) Alan Earls complains of—among other things--“one more departure from the traditional ‘non-partisan’ orientation of town elections” in Jennifer Williams’s use of “Act Blue, the national Democratic fundraising system, to gather funds for her candidacy.”

The nonpartisan description of Franklin elections has always puzzled me.  Section 5-1-1 of the Town Charter says 

"All elections of town officers and Town Council members shall be nonpartisan, and all election ballots shall be printed without any party mark or other political emblem."

What does that mean?  The term “nonpartisan” as applied to elections simply means that candidates do not run with partisan labels.  It means only that.  The candidate will not be identified with a party on the ballot.  Nothing more, nothing less. 

The more interesting question is what it does NOT mean.

It does NOT mean that candidates cannot belong to a political party.

It does NOT mean that candidates cannot be supported by a political party.

It does NOT mean that candidates cannot use a party’s national fundraising system.

It does NOT mean that candidates cannot be supported by a PAC.

It does NOT mean that candidates cannot espouse the values or policy positions of their party.

Apart from the restriction about party affiliations appearing on the ballot, the nonpartisan clause is merely aspirational.  It proscribes no actions beyond the ballot format.

Why does this discussion matter?  For two reasons:

First, it makes clear that Williams has done absolutely nothing to violate the Charter’s nonpartisan clause.

Second, it exposes the hypocrisy of “editor” Alan Earls in bemoaning the partisanship in this election when he is himself a candidate and when he is the chairman of the Franklin Republican Town Committee.

 

Colin Cass
Franklin Resident

Franklin Observer article link for reference ->  https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/45691/politics-sizzles

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https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Colin Cass on what "partisan" means and doesn't mean

Trunk or Treat - Oct 29 fund raiser for FHS Theater Company

"Franklin Community and Franklin Families: looking for a spooktacular event to celebrate Halloween?  

Join the FHSTC on 10/29 in their Trunk-or-treat being hosted in the FHS Front Car parking lot!  

Decorated cars have the opportunities to win great prizes! $10 to join the fun!"

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/FranklinHSDrama/status/1451495526864654336

For more info follow the QR Code in the image or this link ->  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vD23ri5tkaRYG1zws4Umct6DD6Y5gHqCbvaPhdIJvjU/edit?usp=drivesdk

Trunk or Treat - Oct 29  fund raiser for FHS Theater Company

Franklin's Event Outlook: Oct 22 - Oct 28, 2021

Let's enjoy the warmth today as the cooler fall weather comes in for the weekend. Farmers Market has its penultimate run today with the Library hosting kids events. FPAC closes out its performance of Mary Poppins this weekend with 4 shows scheduled. Still time to get a pumpkin at the Pumpkin patch in front of St John's Episcopal and then stop by the Trunk or Treat hosted by the Franklin Lions in the FHS parking lot on Saturday.

And of course, early voting is open from 9 AM to 1:00 PM in the Municipal Building both Saturday and Sunday.

Friday, October 22
2:00pm - Farmers Market
3:00pm - Pumpkin Patch
3:30pm - Kids craft activity by Library Youth Services
7:30pm - Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins

Saturday, October 23
8:00am - Medication Disposal

9:00am - Early voting (Municipal Bldg)
10:00am - Pumpkin Patch

10:00am - Franklin United campaign launch (Town Common)
10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)
2:00pm - Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins
4:00pm - Trunk or Treat (Franklin Lions) (in Franklin High School parking lot)
7:30pm - Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins

Sunday, October 24
9:00am - Early voting (Municipal Bldg)

10:00am - Pumpkin Patch
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)
2:00pm - Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins 

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Community Calendar

018 - Frank Presents - Beth Wierling (audio)

"In this episode, Frank Falvey sits down with Beth Wierling, candidate for Franklin Planning Board, to discuss her background, the projects taking place in Franklin, and changes he'd like to bring to town as part of the Planning Board."

Audio file ->  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ac9fc1a9-631b-430a-a52e-46937f5e600b

018 - Frank Presents - Beth Wierling (audio)

019 - Frank Presents - Dashe Videira (audio)

"In this episode, Frank Falvey sits down with Dashe Videira, candidate for Franklin School Committee, to discuss her background, the current state of the Franklin public schools, and the changes she'd like to bring as part of the School Committee."

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0a4f76ea-a324-41cd-affd-cf33482d155f 

019 - Frank Presents - Dashe Videira (audio)

FHS field hockey and volleyball teams posts wins vs. Mansfield on Thursday

Via @HockomockSports and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Thursday, Oct 21, 2021  

Field Hockey = Franklin, 6 @ Mansfield, 1 – Final

• Varsity defeats Mansfield 6-1!  Scoring Summary: Kendall J 1G 1A… Emily C 1G 2A… Kaitlyn C 1G…Payten C 2G… Haley W 1G 1A… Raena 1A…Way to go!!  Overall Record: 14-0 Hockomock League 15-1 Overall!#MakeItHappen #ProudCoach  https://twitter.com/FHS_FH_02038/status/1451376964112199681

• Three Team Sweep over Mansfield….. way to goooo!! Varsity wins 6-1… JV 1 wins 4-1.. JV 2 wins 5-1   https://twitter.com/FHS_FH_02038/status/1451375181482573826

Volleyball = Franklin, 3 @ Mansfield, 1 – Final 

– The Panthers rallied after dropping the first set to remain in the hunt for the league title. Franklin won 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-4. Taylor Lacerda had a great all-around performance with two aces, 11 kills, and nine digs. Julia Kelly led the Hornets with 11 kills and added six aces and six digs. Nicole Santos and Elyssa Buchanan (nine digs) each had five kills, Christina Lydon had 13 assists, and Jackie Zelic had 10 digs for Mansfield.

For other results around the league ->
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-10-21-21/

https://twitter.com/FHS_FH_02038

Panther News: Oct. 22, 2021 (video)

Panther TV for   https://youtu.be/3xRD8beJ49s

Submit a story to Panther News here: https://forms.gle/FohLG9JTmSYYtuMM9 Donate to the Franklin Food Pantry here: https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/gi...

Franklin United campaign Launch - Oct 23, 10 AM

"AMAZING NEWS! Join Franklin United and two CHAMPIONS of strong governance on the Franklin Town Common THIS Saturday at 10AM!

Senate President Karen E. Spilka and State Rep Jeff Roy will join us to share the importance of voting in Town elections, engaging with local government and keeping involved in the happenings at the Franklin Town Hall!

Right after they speak, we will be asking volunteers to drop Franklin United Endorsed Candidate lists throughout town! Even if you cannot volunteer, come and be inspired! Your Voice, Your Community. Franklin United!"

 

Shared from Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/events/670245643891824

Franklin United campaign Launch - Oct 23, 10 AM

SAFE Coalition Weekly Schedule

"Looking for a group to attend this week?

UPDATE: Tuesdays group has been modified - please reach out if you are hoping to attend  

We can help! Reach out anytime!"  info@safecoalitionma.org

Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100064793556083/posts/238636584972792/

SAFE Coalition Weekly Schedule

Recap: Economic Development Committee gets update on wayfinding and branding effort

Quick Recap:

• Lily Rivera presented a plan and outline for developing a complete brand package for the Town incorporating community input to resolve inconsistencies seen today and set stage for a more unified and helpful approach to communications, including signs.
• Presentation doc link included in the notes

 
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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting live from the Council Chambers
 
The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #edc1020

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23edc1020&src=typed_query 

 

Agenda document -   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-10-20_edc_agenda_.pdf 

 

Presentation document shared during the meeting

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/community_branding_and_wayfinding_final.pptx.pdf

Photos captured during the meeting

https://photos.app.goo.gl/t4MNbS5Y6w5CDGng6

• ready to live tweet the EDC meeting, agenda doc https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-10-20_edc_agenda_.pdf… here with connection info #edc1020 Frongillo remote, Hamblen (chair), Jones, Bissanti in chambers
• Chair Hamblen opens meeting with protocol and statement and acknowledgement of process, confirms Frongillo can hear/participate  #edc1020
• TA Jamie Hellen introduces Lily Rivera (Marketing and Communications Specialist) split between Town and School District communications #edc1020 She has a presentation doc on wayfinding combined with Town branding to provide update since last meeting
• slide link to be added later. Some photos (screen grabs to be captured in meantime) #edc1020
• key questions: What is the goal of wayfinding signs? #edc1020 samples from Foxboro, Amherst, Walk Boston Worcester Districting (i.e. sense of arrival) (Worcester also incorporated local artists works)
• Commonwealth of MA branding guide is an example of the thoroughness of detail, note every company has (or should have) a branding guide, Dunkin and Honey Dew for example - #edc1020 from personal experience I know Fidelity and John Hancock go to this level of detail
• Example of Ware with a complete branding package as well as business development, example of Boston visioning campaign. What should Franklin be in 2028? #edc1020
• did get info and names from folks at the Harvest Festival at the MAPC booth. Chair thanks folks for work in supporting committee during the time, this is last meeting before election #edc1020
• meeting adjourns, #edc1020  stay tuned for Town Council meeting coming up at 7 PM

 
Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

Economic Development Committee gets update on wayfinding and branding effort

Franklin Cultural District Grant Opportunity - stay tuned for details

Dear Cultural District Partners,

We hope that you are all well and are enjoying these crisp fall days.

Once again the Massachusetts Cultural Council will be offering a  grant opportunity to all of the Massachusetts Cultural Districts. While we have not yet received the details or the amount for this grant, the Franklin Cultural District Committee wanted to reach out to all of the Franklin Cultural District partners so that when we do receive the details all partners will have had plenty of time  to develop a potential grant application.

Like last year the Franklin Cultural District will be looking for collaborative grant ideas for possible events, performances or exhibits to be held during the 2022 June ArtWALK Celebration. Last year the Franklin Cultural District Committee was able to fund eight different Cultural District Grants for events and performances during the ArtWALK weekend. We hope to be able to support many grants again this year.

Since we do not have the specific details for this grant we are asking any interested partners to submit their ideas to the Franklin  Cultural District Committee at franklinculture@franklinma.gov. Once we receive any additional information regarding this grant opportunity we will share it with all of the Franklin Cultural District partners.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the Franklin Cultural District at franklinculture@franklinma.gov.

Regards,

Nancy Schoen

Chair, Franklin Cultural District

nschoenfranklinculture@gmail.com

Franklin Cultural District Grant Opportunity - stay tuned for details 

MA Division of Local Services shares video on "Unfunded Mandate" appeal process

via the MA Division of Local Services:

"We are pleased to present our annual “What’s New” 2021 court decisions in a virtual format. The presentation consists of narrated videos discussing recent cases related to municipal finance and municipal law. You can view the videos individually or together as a group. "

What's New in Municipal Law 2021 (video)

"What's New" PowerPoint presentations (pdf)

Noteworthy among the videos is a five (5) minute clip on "unfunded mandates" and how they can be appealed. Good background on how this process was created (in 1980) and how it executes.

Video link on Unfunded Mandates  -> https://youtu.be/ljSBHzG4BGY 

Shared from the MA Municipal Law page -> https://www.mass.gov/service-details/municipal-law-seminar

Round up from the CommonWealth Magazine - anchor mission, MA vaccine rollout for kids, Rep Roy on the Codcast

The "anchor mission" explained and how that may help with health care costs

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/what-our-anchor-mission-means-for-central-mass/

MA prepares for vaccine rollout for the kids

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/drug-addiction/drugs/massachusetts-preps-for-nov-vaccine-rollout-to-kids/

State claims school testing problems resolved

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/state-school-testing-delays-are-being-resolved/

The recent episode of The Codcast features State Representative Jeff Roy in the discussion on "The great offshore wind debate"

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/podcast/the-great-offshore-wind-debate/

CommonWealth Magazine · The great offshore wind debate

Halloween Cemetery Tour - Oct 28 - 5 PM

via Franklin Historical Museum: 

"The cemetery tour is back again this year hosted Dean College History Professor Rob Lawson."

Meet at the Museum, take the short walk to the cemetery for the tour.

Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1624476373/posts/10223593119809125/

Halloween Cemetery Tour - Oct 28 - 5 PM

Broadcast Info for the Candidates Forum - Oct 21, 2021 - 6:30 PM

There is a Candidate Forum scheduled for Thursday, Oct 21, 2021 at 6:30 PM. The Forum will be broadcast live from the Senior Center. Program schedule and broadcast info shared here:

Program Schedule

Event Start time 6:30 PM 

Welcome, etc. 5 minutes

Town Clerk candidates (15 mins) start at ~6:35

Planning Board (20 mins) start at ~6:55

Town Council (50 mins) start at ~7:15

School Committee (50 mins) start at ~8:05

Scheduled finish broadcast time ~8:55 PM

Broadcast Info

Watch the Franklin TV All-Access channel, Comcast 8 or Verizon 26 on Thursday evening at 6:30 PM. 

For those without cable, you can also find the live stream at  https://franklintv.vod.castus.tv/vod/  Select LIVE, then ALL ACCESS, and PLAY

Note: The Conservation Commission’s meeting will be on the Town Hall channel, Comcast 11 or Verizon 29 at 7 PM as usual. 

Additional details on the event were shared here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/candidate-forum-oct-21-2021-forum.html

Candidate Forum - Oct 21, 2021 - Forum outline details