Election 2019: Somerset County Sheriff Candidates Trade Jabs Over Use Of ‘Union Time’
The issue of Franklin Township Police officers’ use of “union time” has made its way into the race for Somerset County Sheriff. Republican Sheriff candidate Bill Parenti said in a report published on Aug. 22 that his Democratic opponent, retired FTPD Lt. Darrin Russo, should repay the township for the 273 hours of “union time” […]
‘Week Of The People’ Event Set For Aug. 24
The 48th annual Week of the People back-to-school event is set to run from 2-7 p.m. Aug. 24 at Naimann Williams Park on Matilda Avenue. The free event will provide educational essentials to children grades K-12, as well as information and resources for parents, provided by local community partners. The event theme is “Community in […]
Registration Open For RCDCU Bicycle Tour To Fight Prostate Cancer
There’s still time to register for the annual RCDCU “Bike to Fight Prostate Cancer” bike tour. The event is set from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 21, and will start and finish at Franklin Middle School – Hamilton Street Campus, 415 Francis St. The tour, which has raised thousands of dollars for prostate cancer […]
FHS 1994 Football Champs Reminisce At 25th Anniversary
Members of the Franklin High School 1994 championship football team, and their coaches, huddled at the Twenty/20 tap house Aug. 17 to mark the 25th anniversary of their taking the state trophy home. Organized by Robert Edmond, one of the team’s three captains, the evening was meant for one-time teammates and now adult friends to […]
Township Reviewing ‘Union Time’ Paid Leave Taken By FTPD Officers For ‘Appropriateness’
In the wake of allegations of “substantial mismanagement” by the township police department’s former top brass, officials are determining which FTPD officers may have inappropriately used a benefit known as “union time” to take paid leave over the past nearly three years. Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said on Aug. 6 that he and township attorney […]
Solutions To Black Youth Suicide Rate Sought At Panel Discussion
Better access to mental health services and bringing an end to “systemic and structural racism” and the stress that causes were pegged at a July 29 forum as two key ways to stem the high incidence of suicide among black youth. The panel discussion was held at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens on […]
Four Candidates Vying For Three School Board Seats
Two incumbents and two newcomers have filed for the three open Board of Education seats in the November election. School board president Nancy LaCorte and vice-president Ardaman Singh are looking to retain their positions, while newcomers Walter B. Jackson Jr. and Hugh A. Scott are making fresh runs for the board. Board member Christine Danielsen […]
Thousands Play In The Muck In Zarephath For MS Research
About 3,000 people showed up at Zarephath July 27 to run in muck to raise money to defeat Multiple Sclerosis. The event was the annual MuckFest, held in the fields surrounding Zarephath Christian Church to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society via the society’s New Jersey Metro Chapter. The event’s primary sponsor was Horizon […]
Kennedy Memorial – With Statue – Planned For JFK Retail Plaza
Plans to erect an 876-square-foot memorial to Pres. John F. Kennedy at a JFK Boulevard retail center are under review by township planning staff. The 12 x 73-foot memorial would include a statue of Kennedy walking with his son, two wall displays, benches and a television monitor display. The statue would be less than 9 […]
Four Franklinites Make State ‘Power List’
Franklin Township is well-represented in the latest “power list” put out by a statewide political publication. “Insider NJ,” which covers all things political in the Garden State but has a focus on the Statehouse, recently published its “Top 100 Policy Makers of 2019” list. Included in the list were four Franklinites: state Education Commissioner Lamont […]
