Thursday, October 19, 2023

Jen Knight-Levine updates Council on work of SAFE Coalition and the humane approach to dealing with migrant housing situation (audio)

FM #1082 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1082 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares a segment from the regularly scheduled Town Council meeting on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. The segment covers the guest presentation by Jen Knight-Levine of the SAFE Coalition.

Jen,CEO and co-founder of SAFE, provides some statistics on the work being done to meet the needs of the community initially in substance abuse and mental health, and recently expanding to take a humanitarian approach to the migrant housing situation developing here in Franklin.

The segment runs about 30 minutes including the Q&A with the Council members. Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1082-town-council-mtg-segment-jen-knight-levine-10-18-23

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SAFE Coalition -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/

Town Council agenda doc ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/franklin-ma-agenda-for-town-council.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 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"

Jen Knight-Levine updates Council on work of SAFE Coalition and the humane approach to dealing with migrant housing situation (audio)

Congressman Auchincloss: An Update for the past 2 weeks (10/17/23)

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW

I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed.

On the Hill

Congressman Auchincloss

Speaker Vacancy: It's been nearly two weeks since Kevin McCarthy was removed as Speaker of the House. At a time when our allies are seeking our help and Americans are watching government funding run down, House Republicans nominated Jim Jordan to fill the spot – a politician so extreme that a former *Republican leader* called him a "legislative terrorist." Jim Jordan helped galvanize the January 6 insurrection and favors a nationwide abortion ban with no exceptions for rape, incest, or life of the mother.

Congressman Jordan was recently scored one of the least bipartisan Members of Congress and has never passed a bill in 16 years of service. By contrast, Democrats have nominated Hakeem Jeffries, who is offering a bipartisan arrangement to govern the House. Congressman Jeffries is only five votes shy of the speakership – far ahead of any Republican's tally, including Congressman Jordan.

War in Israel: Israel is at war. For so many in the Jewish community, this is not just a geo-political earthquake but a deeply personal reality. I've heard from many constituents who have friends and family being called up from the reserves. Some may know one of the victims or hostages. I stand firmly and fully with Israel's right and responsibility to defend itself from terrorist attacks.

This will be a hard war. Israel needs the support of its most important ally, the United States. Our fellow democracy is fighting for freedom. The Jewish people are defending their right to a secure homeland. President Biden has reinforced his rock solid and unwavering partnership; I will continue to support the administration's efforts to provision all military and diplomatic support necessary.

Congress must also act. With even greater urgency, I implore House Republicans to jettison their extremists, enable bipartisan governance, and work with Democrats in passing the policy that Israel expects and deserves from its most trusted ally. In addition to materiél, Israel needs moral support from Americans. Now is not the time for equivocation. Hamas is an internationally recognized terrorist organization that executes civilians, including children. Israel is a liberal democracy protecting its citizens.

Calls for de-escalation, even if well-meaning, are premature. There are hostages who are still being held by terrorists. Israel needs to destroy the capabilities and the structure of a terrorist organization whose mission is to end the Israeli state and kill Jews, and who has abused the Palestinian people for more than a decade instead of advancing efforts towards dignity and statehood. Israel's military imperative is not antithetical to humanitarian considerations. The Israeli Defense Forces can execute an aggressive military operation while having necessary concern for civilians and abiding by the proportionality, distinction, and necessity tenets of the law of armed conflict.

The barbarity of the October 7th attacks must not ever be used as justification for violence or discrimination against Muslims or Palestinian-Americans. I join with other Jewish officials and organizations in rejecting and condemning such actions.

In the hard weeks ahead, I stand with Israel and will work for her safety and success.

Make your voice heard → I want to hear from you.

Do you support President Biden's response to the situation in Israel?

Around the Fourth

Newtonville Village Day

Newtonville Village Day: I carved out some family time on a busy long weekend to take Teddy and Grace to the Newtonville Village Day. The train ride and perfect weather made for big smiles all around (except Grace).

Eversource Visit: Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and I toured Eversource's geothermal installation in Framingham. The project, boosted by the Inflation Reduction Act from last Congress, is pioneering neighborhood-scale geothermal that promises to lower energy bills, decarbonize the grid, and create good jobs for workers transitioning from natural gas.

Wayfair Town Hall: I visited Wayfair's headquarters to speak at a town hall yesterday that was also joined virtually by employees from across the country who served in the military. From economic development in Fall River to the war in Israel, the questions from Wayfair's employees were timely and tough. I appreciated the town hall with hundreds of employees, many of them constituents, from one of the Bay State's leading companies.

Onwards,

Jake

WASHINGTON
15 Independence Avenue SE
1524 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5931

NEWTON
29 Crafts Street
Suite 375
Newton, MA 02458
Phone: (617) 332-3333

ATTLEBORO
8 North Main Steet
Suite 200
Attleboro, MA 02703
Phone: (508) 431-1110

Contact

This "Chalkboard Chat" recaps the School Cmte Mtg of Oct 10, and touts the Oct 24 & Nov 7 election votes (audio)

FM #1081 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1081 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin School Committee member Dave Callaghan. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV & Public Radio studio on Monday, October 16, 2023.

Our primary topic was a recap of the School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Sep 12. We covered

ECDC school improvement plan
Joint Budget Committee meeting
Tri-County election Oct 24 & Franklin Election Nov 7

The recording runs about 31 minutes so let’s listen to my “chalkboard chat” with Dave Callaghan. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1081-chalkboard-chat-04-dave-callaghan-10-16-23

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan callaghand@franklinps.net

School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee

School budget -> https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_10-10-23.pdf

Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/october-10-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyKoaGXMfr8

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting and then in a single PDF for easy reading

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uzqOqkpKeV7VjHxAcrdFhc8Cfpx3qrxR/view?usp=drive_link

Audio recording of meeting -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1075-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-10-10-23

The “Chalkboard Chat” image was the result of a joint collaboration with Mickayla Callaghan. Thank you!

--------------

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 Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This "Chalkboard Chat" recaps the School Cmte Mtg of Oct 10, and touts the Oct 24 & Nov 7 election votes (audio)

Candidate Interview: Robert Dellorco, incumbent candidate for Town Council (video)

Frank Falvey and Steve Sherlock are collaborating this year on the candidate interviews for a couple of reasons.

One, to provide a video, audio, and transcript for all interviews. Two, to help with scheduling for all our sakes in this election season. Three, interviews are no more than 30 minutes.

The fifth in the series of interviews is Robert Dellorco, incumbent candidate for Town Council.

video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pBEXBDXcO8

Candidate Interview: Robert Dellorco, incumbent candidate for Town Council (video)

Candidate Interview: Tom Mercer, incumbent candidate for Town Council (video)

Frank Falvey and Steve Sherlock are collaborating this year on the candidate interviews for a couple of reasons.

One, to provide a video, audio, and transcript for all interviews. Two, to help with scheduling for all our sakes in this election season. Three, interviews are no more than 30 minutes.

The eighth in the series of interviews is Tom Mercer, incumbent candidate for Town Council.

video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLDpEPHQfso

Candidate Interview: Tom Mercer, incumbent candidate for Town Council (video)

Candidate Interview: Cobi Frongillo, incumbent candidate for Town Council (video)

Frank Falvey and Steve Sherlock are collaborating this year on the candidate interviews for a couple of reasons.

One, to provide a video, audio, and transcript for all interviews. Two, to help with scheduling for all our sakes in this election season. Three, interviews are no more than 30 minutes.

The seventh in the series of interviews is Cobi Frongillo, incumbent candidate for Town Council.

video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZEBaKduLGs

Candidate Interview: Cobi Frongillo, incumbent candidate for Town Council (video)

Candidate Interview: Melanie Hamblen, incumbent candidate for Town Council (video)

Frank Falvey and Steve Sherlock are collaborating this year on the candidate interviews for a couple of reasons.

One, to provide a video, audio, and transcript for all interviews. Two, to help with scheduling for all our sakes in this election season. Three, interviews are no more than 30 minutes.

The sixth in the series of interviews is Melanie Hamblen, incumbent candidate for Town Council.

video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fEVyVSiJAw

Candidate Interview: Melanie Hamblen, incumbent candidate for Town Council (video)

via NPR: "How gas utilities used tobacco tactics to avoid gas stove regulations"

Miriam Wasser (@MiriamWasser) posted Tue, Oct 17, 2023: "A must-read story from Jeff Brady!"

"How gas utilities used tobacco tactics to avoid gas stove regulations. My latest for
@NPR
with editor
@neelaeast
and documents/research from
@rebecca_John1
at CIC."

Read the article at NPR -> https://www.npr.org/2023/10/17/1183551603/gas-stove-utility-tobacco

Dr. Carl Shy, a public health researcher, cooks on his electric stove at his home. In 1970, he published a study showing that families exposed to greater levels of the air pollutant nitrogen dioxide outdoors had higher rates of respiratory illness than families in less-polluted areas. Cornell Watson for NPR

Farmers Market entertainment features Ladder 3 Trio

"We are excited to have the Ladder 3 Trio with us the last 2 weeks, thank you to @franklinculture and @masscultural . They will be serenading us with their amazing jazz numbers.

Make sure you join us in supporting them!"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CyecbxAo8iz/

Farmers Market entertainment features Ladder 3 Trio

La Cantina Entertainment Schedule for Thursday - Saturday, Oct 19 - Oct 21

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyeu5woxAn2/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance Newsletter - next meeting, Nov 2

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance

In this newsletter we include an invitation to our next meeting and community events, including our next book club discussion, and include more opportunities to get involved.