Speak Out!

By Jenny Kafas Fall was recently described to me as the most nostalgic season. Lately, every time I step outside, feel crisp air and smell the fallen leaves, I am somehow taken right back to my childhood where I spent hours jumping into the proverbial giant-pile-of-leaves. My mom, despite spending years convincing me to rake the leaves in our yard, …

By Kiki Anastasakos. While local elected officials can’t change the world or create a perfect community insulated from market shifts and political chaos, they often do an admirable job shaping a welcoming, safe and affordable environment for all its residents.  Franklin is one such lucky community. I know. In the past several years, I have spent countless hours in Franklin …

By Deborah M. Inman My name is Deborah M. Inman, and I am writing to express my support for Benjamin Guy III as a candidate for Township Council representing the 4th Ward of Franklin Township. To begin, I would like to state that I am a registered Democrat. My support for Mr. Guy is based on my belief that it …

By Bill Connell. It’s election season.  A tedious time when you have to sort through a lot of noise to make a proper choice. But then you remember some people don’t get that choice, and you are grateful.  More often than not when you vote , you think, I don’t really like this person I am voting for, but it’s my best …

By Bill Connell, Somerset. I was at the recent Township Council meeting where they introduced the latest version of the Cat Colony Ordinance.  Cat colony is a nice way to say feral.   Let’s be real.  Feeding feral cats is really about the basic need for humans to nurture. Parenting is a somewhat narcissistic affair but there is a nurture component.  My kids don’t …

By Bill Connell. “Have you ever had to put your life in another person’s hands? I have.”  This was the angry response from a friend when I made a glib remark about a news story affecting police culture.  More on that later.   I want to take a slightly different view of Beverly Lawson-Mayor Phil Kramer exchange regarding Veterans Month.   I was recently …

By Mayor Phil Kramer. Recently the Franklin Reporter & Advocate published a Letter to the Editor by Beverly Lawson. It stated it was a shame that the Township Council did not pass a proclamation recognizing June as Veterans’ Month. She accused us of playing politics. I was going to let it pass until a friend of mine emailed me saying …

By Beverly Lawson. If you are not aware, June is Veterans’ Month. At the June 12, 2025, council meeting, I asked whether a proclamation would be made in recognition of Veterans’ Month. I received no response. With the final meeting of June scheduled for June 24, I checked the agenda—and once again, there is no mention of veterans, no proclamation, …

By Wm. David Burns. Last year, the Franklin Reporter & Advocate chose Katie Nordhaus, the extraordinary director of our Township’s animal shelter, as its “Woman of the Year.”  It was a wise and well-deserved celebration of her distinguished service. Last week, we had an experience in our little corner of Franklin that reassured me—against lots of evidence to the contrary—that …

By Michelle Petersen. Each year, the Franklin Township Republican Municipal Committee (FTRMC) proudly joins our community at the Juneteenth Festival at Naaman Williams Park. We don’t just show up—we support. We purchase a vendor table, donate hundreds of dollars as sponsors, march in the parade, and joyfully hand out flags, candy, and other patriotic gifts to local children. Rain or …