Township Council Honors Departing Human Relations Commission Member
A seven-year member of the Human Relations Commission who is leaving the state to pursue her medical career was honored for her “dedicated service to the community” April 9 by the Township Council. Shirin Poustchi, an HRC member since 2012, will be conducting her medical residency in internal medicine at the University of California, Los […]
Township Luminaries Named To African-American Political Power List
Several township figures are considered among the state’s African-American power elite by a statewide political publication. InsiderNJ.com‘s “2019 African American Political Power List” includes people as varied as state Education Commissioner Lamont Repollet, former Township Councilwoman and current Somerset County Freeholder Shanel Robinson, longtime Councilwoman Kimberly Francois, entrepreneur Randall Pinkett and the Rev. DeForest “Buster” […]
Township’s Presiding Municipal Court Judge Claims No Sexual Innuendo In Court Comment
The township’s presiding Municipal Court Judge denies that a comment he made to a defendant in December 2017 was sexual in nature and violated any judicial ethics rules that would require formal discipline. Judge Hector Rodriguez in December 2018 was hit with charges that he violated three tenets of the state Judicial Canon of Ethics. […]
East Franklin VFD Receives Life-Saving Equipment Donation In Honor Of Kevin Apuzzio
By PJ Parker. Franklin’s Native Son Kevin Apuzzio was only 21 years old when he lost his life, trapped in a basement during a structural fire. Jan. 3, nearly 13 years later, East Franklin Volunteer Fire Department, the fire department Apuzzio called home, was honored in his memory with the donation of a FAST Board […]
‘A Call For Peace’ Town Meeting Results in ‘Men’s Coalition,’ Charge That Mayor Is Racist
A pledge to create a “men’s coalition” to deal with the problems confronting young black men in the township was the outcome Dec. 18 of a “Community Town Hall” held at the Parkside community room. The event, moderated by members of the Nation of Islam’s Muhammad Mosque No. 85, headquartered on Hamilton Street, consisted of […]
White Nationalist Flier Found In Kingston ‘Little Free Library’ In June
A flier from a New Jersey based white nationalist group was found over the summer in a “mini library” in Kingston. The flier, from the NJ European Heritage Association, promoted the idea that there is an insufficient number of “European” babies being born in the United States, according to an email written about the incident […]
‘Santa Paws’ Greets Visitors At Franklin Township Animal Shelter Open House
By PJ Parker. Santa began his rounds early in Franklin on Nov. 24 at the Franklin Township Animal Shelter on DeMott Lane for its annual Santa Open House. Santa Bob Pezzano, past-president of Second Chance for Animals – the organization that helps fund the shelter – greeted animal lovers of all ages, as well as […]
Two Township Residents Among County Photo Contest Winners
Two township residents were among the winners in the fourth annual “Show us Somerset County Through Your Camera Lens” photo contest for residents and county staff. John Carroll won first place in the amateur architecture and urban design category, and Julie Daigle won second place in the community and events category. Each category winner received […]
Mettlers Road Bridge Repair Expected To Last Four Weeks
The Mettlers Road bridge was closed on Oct. 23 for emergency repairs which are expected to take four weeks. Somerset County Engineer Matthew Loper said the work consist of emergency repairs to the brick arch of the bridge. He said there have not yet been cost estimates calculated. Mettlers Road is closed off at Amwell […]
Community Foundation Votes To Refund Remainder Of ‘Peace And Non-Violence’ Donations; Project Effectively Dead
The Franklin Township Community Foundation on Oct. 24 voted to return to donors the remaining contributions to a proposed “Peace and Non-Violence” monument park. The vote effectively kills the project that has sparked controversy in the township over how Township Councilman Rajiv Prasad (D-At Large) handled its approval process and his characterization of the park’s […]
