The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens
Worship, Discipleship, Stewardship, Fellowship, & Pastoral Care are the cornerstones for conducting ministry at First Baptist.
These tenets provide a means for the members to remain in fellowship with one another while serving and being served.
Worship
Worship is our foremost value. Jesus says in John 4:24, “God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” For us to worship God in spirit and in truth we must make sure we obey all of His commandments as given by Him in the Bible on how He is to be worshipped.
Discipleship
In obedience to God’s Word, we are dedicated to making disciples.
The word “disciple” means learner–a disciple is one who studies and accepts the teachings of Christ. Discipleship is evident first in belief and then in practice.
Stewardship
Stewardship is the act of managing or directing our God-given resources and talents to advance the kingdom of God. Every member is encouraged to take seriously his or her responsibility to contribute to the life of the Church both in serving and in giving.
Fellowship
Fellowship is devotion and commitment to a covenant relationship of love, support and accountability between and among the people of God. At First Baptist we accomplish fellowship goals through our “Small Groups Ministry.”
Pastoral Care
Ministries that address the care and nurture of members who have special needs, are in crises, have emergency needs, or are experiencing special circumstances are coordinated by the Deacons, Missionaries and the pastoral staff.
771 Somerset St. Somerset NJ 08873
Alhaji “Noah” Fofanah
Membership in any civic organizations:
A big passion in my life is remembering my Sierra Leone heritage. I am a member of the Sierra Leonean Community of New Jersey (SLCNJ) where I work to mentor our youth. The goal is to keep our local young men and women out of trouble and to provide counseling to them about college. I’m also a founding member of the Sierra Leone American Veterans Organization (SAVO) where I help both veterans and active service men and women with how to cope with life challenges. Lastly, I am a member of the Sierra Leone Soccer team management which is popular in the Franklin Township community.
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
Franklin is a large and diverse town with a great history, great people, and a great future. I firmly believe that diverse voices on Franklin’s council are needed to advocate for better and more recreational facilities for our young, protect our open spaces for future generations, and work with businesses interested in locating in Franklin so that we can have jobs and prosperity.
In conclusion, whenever people ask my why I’m running, I say, “If I am elected as your councilman-at-large, I will be loyal to the people of Franklin Township and fight the good fight for them. I will fulfill my duty as a councilman by doing what is morally right and professional. I will treat each and every citizen and fellow council members with the respect they deserve. I will put the welfare of Franklin first, before my own personal interest or party. Integrity will be my focus, always doing what is right morally and legally.” Of course, this all aligns perfectly with FTGOP’s motto “One Franklin, One Family.”
Kimberly Francois
Township Resident Since: 1987
Employment: Senior Information Technology Program Management Consultant in Health Care Industry
If incumbent, what term will this be (second, third, etc.): Fourth term
What is the single biggest issue facing your constituents, and what is your plan to address it:
The biggest issue facing our township is keeping taxes stable. With the rising costs of Health Care and pension benefits for our Township 250+ employees, energy costs, maintaining the infrastructure, as well as road paving, snow plowing, and general cost of living increases are a burden to the taxpayers. In order to maintain our quality of life, public safety, and current service levels I will continue to work hard to control taxes and spending by eliminating waste, reinvesting in our business community, expand the economic development program, and provide more youth services.
Why should people vote for you:
As a former two term Mayor, At-Large Councilwoman, and currently serving as Deputy Mayor I have a total of eleven years of experience serving on the Franklin Township Council. Included in my many accomplishments in Franklin Township, I am particularly proud of my work as Mayor to spearhead the development of the Senior Community Center, and the creation of the Teen Recreation Program which has been in existence since 1996. I am the Founder and Leader of the Franklin Youth Initiative (FYI). As the Leader of FYI I established the Teen Drop In Center at the Middle School, and for the past eight years FYI has provided job training, jobs, and life skills training for our youth. FYI has a Corporate Sponsor and the programs costs have not impacted the taxpayers. I want to continue to champion my work that is underway to spearhead the development of a Franklin Township Youth Center. This Youth Center is a huge investment in the future of our Township and will have positive impact on property values, public safety, provide a safe zone for our youth against gang activity, and make Franklin an even better place to live for families.
Kimberly Francois
If incumbent, how many years have you served:
15 years; Two term Mayor (1996-1997), served as Deputy Mayor two times
Membership in any civic organizations:
Past President and Chair of the Board of Trustees of Somerset Community Action program (SCAP), United Way Commissioner, Chair First Baptist Church Community Concerns Committee, Vice President New Brunswick Area Branch NAACP, and Member of the Sister2Sister Professional Advisory Board
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
My vision for the township is to stabilize taxes, expand economic development to increase commercial and industrial ratables that will ultimately reduce the tax burden on residential taxpayers. My plans are to further guide, focus, and encourage desired private investment in the Corporate Business District along the Worlds Fair Drive and Davidson Ave corridor, creating a 24 hour live/work/play environments for the next generation of workers and their employers. Enhancing the construction permitting process to make the Township easier to do business with. This will help to address the demand for more flex space, creation and repurposing office park and commercial parcels for IT back office and medical office space. My continued focus will be to attract smart growth for entrepreneurs and restaurants to the Hamilton St Business District to become a lively pedestrian oriented, shopper friendly, retail focused Village Center.
My passion and mission in serving as an elected official public servant is to improve the quality of life for our youth and our seniors. I will continue on as the Vice Chair on of the Franklin Township Redevelopment Agency, which is responsible for assisting the Township of Franklin in the revitalization of the Renaissance Redevelopment Area and the provision of affordable and senior housing.
I want to continue to finish the work I am doing to spearhead the development of a Youth Center at 429 Lewis St near the Franklin Middle school which will serve all youth with many programs. The Youth Center will provide activities such as Debate Clubs, Violence and Delinquency Prevention, Life Skills workshops, Job Readiness Skills Training, Financial Literacy, Mentoring, Substance Abuse Prevention, Community Services Projects, Dance Classes, Video and Music Studios, Career Counseling, Workforce Development and the list goes on and on. I say it over and over we can not do enough for our youth. I live here in Franklin, I love Franklin and I want to continue to invest in the future of our Township through our Youth and Seniors.
Kimberly Francois
Franklin Reporter & Advocate, LLC
P.O. Box 5811 Somerset NJ 08875
Andre T. Fryson
Experience:
My name is Andre T. Fryson and I am running for a position on the Franklin Township School Board. The growth of our youth, who are our future, has always been a passion of mine. For the past Fifteen years I have worked for Prudential Financial Inc. Currently, as a Manager of the Investment Operations Team for one of the Asset Management Businesses. During that time and prior to that, I worked as an Adult GED program teacher in Jersey City for 4 years and also as an Inclusion Classroom Support Teachers Assistance for Montclair Board of Education for 4 years. In addition I am currently an active mentor for the youth of Essex County New Jersey and Hudson County New Jersey through my Fraternity organization Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated.
In all of these previous and current roles, my drive has been my passion for the youth. Guidance is key and I believe in the phrase it takes a village. As a member of the board of education, I will provide me with the opportunity to ensure our youth have a say in their educational and extracurricular activities combined with the efforts of parents and all community members. It is impossible to make decisions that will please everyone, but ensuring input is received from all impacted will help to make the best decision. One of the key issues I see is increasing transparency with decisions that are made which impact all. As a member of the Board I will engage with students, parents, community personnel and staff to listen to their thoughts to make the best decisions through collaboration.
I am a dedicated and qualified person who is also a parent of two children. A son who is a second grader in Franklin Township and a daughter who will soon be entering Pre K. I am anxious and excited about the possibility of joining the board and getting to work to continue to grow our community.
Thanks for your careful reading and support!!!
If not (incumbent), have you held any elected position before, and if so, what:
Past President of two local chapters for National Fraternities.
Do you belong to any civic organizations:
Yes. Member of the Parent Teachers Organization
Issues and thoughts on Dealing with Them:
- Increasing transparency between the community, educational leaders and students to ensure there is a collaborative effort in making decisions that impact our youth. These issues deal with education, extracurricular activities and others. Decisions made impact all. It is important to listen to thoughts and concerns from impacted parties before a decision is made. Although this is a cumbersome effort because some groups or individuals may still not like the outcome, partnering is key. We owe it to all involved to make an attempt to be dedicated and creative in this challenge. Ongoing and regular engagement not only when it is time to make the decision but at all times is a key to transparency. Adoption of a website and or hotline dedicated to concerns and issues will assist in this endeavor.
- Increasing of National Test Scores and Closing the Education Gap. This is a tough point, but one that can be done with work from all. Quality education does not only happen in the classroom. We need to ensure parents are engaged with students at home and that there is an abundance of affordable after school programs to strengthen the lessons taught at school. Partnering with teachers and students of higher educational levels to provide tutoring for all grades. Older qualified students can serve as mentors that can lead through their previous experience. Researching what is done in other school districts and figuring out the best way to adapt some of those practices into our school system as well as continuing to build on those already established. This can be achieved with minimum budget increases while ensuring the highest student performance results.
- Facility Maintenance and Improvements. Allocation of resources to improve facilities used by schools is important. Maintenance for equipment such as computers and labs, gym access for all schools and fields of play. Quality and updated course material. Removal of anything that stands as a distraction for our kids looking to learn. Partnering with our tech experts and facility team to meet this goal. This effort is already in place, but must be continued.
Christina Ganzer-Zambri
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
1) Transparency/Communication
All business will be conducted in an open and honest fashion. We also vow to hold “Coffee with the Council” events throughout the Township so residents can voice their concerns at times other than Township Council meetings. Important information will be disseminated to residents in a more organized and widespread fashion, and this includes updating the Township website to make it easier to find information, as well as answers to questions. Any communications received from residents will be responded to in a timely and professional manner.
2) Safety
We will work to increase the number of police officers to at least the minimum number recommended by FBI guidelines. This will save on overtime dollars expended and allow for more effective and complete coverage of the Township. Both our officers and our residents will benefit from this. We are losing residents due to safety concerns, and that is simply unacceptable.
3) Responsible Development/Maintenance of Open Space
We will closely monitor and examine the Township zoning and request that the Planning Board slow their building approval process so all the potential consequences, positive and negative, can be properly researched, evaluated and studied. These includes traffic impact and current and future road conditions/requirements. We plan on working more closely with the County on long-term development planning and the continued preservation of our precious open spaces. Use of open space property will also be vetted for need and benefit to the residents of FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. In addition, those who are trying to rent or buy currently unoccupied spaces should receive fast and fair service from both the Township and the County. This ties in with improving our relationship with the County for the good of the Township.
Sophia Georges , Ward 3
Bill Grippo
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served: N/A
If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what:
Former member of the Franklin Township Council- 2000-2003
Deputy Mayor for Franklin Township – 2002-2003
Membership in any civic organizations:
Over the past 42 years I have been a member of several Franklin organizations ranging from First President of Franklin Rotary Club, Marconi Foundation, Heart, MDA, Diabetes, MS Organizations,
The Villagers Theater, MLK Scholarship Foundation, The Franklin Food Bank, President of NJ Community Ed Association, several Fund Raising events to benefit Franklin (most recently: The Gazebo)
Franklin Chamber of Commerce (Man of the Year/1986), numerous youth organizations and active in St. Matthias Parish.
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
We have unique challenges in this Pandemic era, so my number one issue is in the area of facilities and providing the safest standards of environment for our students and staff. Specifically I would hope to work closely with the facility committee to determine the needs to upgrade HVAC and all necessary safety requirements, PPE and recommended measures in order for staff and students to be assured of the best environment possible. I am not only concerned for the present needs but also a sense of preparedness if something unexpected happens like Covid 19 in the foreseeable future.
A second issue :I have always been concerned about is teacher recruitment and retention. We have many great teachers in Franklin; we want to keep them here by a salary guide that is commensurate with all of Somerset County and professional development, which encourages their personal growth and advancement. Even more importantly we have a wonderfully diverse community, and the teaching staff always needs to reflect a balance to meet the diverse needs of our students by providing role models and leaders students can aspire to.
The third issue: It is a fact that there is a wide disparity of economic levels in our community among our student population. The district has focused on educational equity in recent years and this is good. This challenge continues especially with the effects of Covid 19 as it relates to family unemployment in many cases and other economic stress to make ends meet. Many parents face the hardship of working two or more jobs and now assisting with their children’s education. We must continually seek ways to reach out to these parents with outreach programs, parent workshops (virtually) and assistance in the area of guidance counseling if needed. Communication to parents in a variety of ways must continue to be implemented by the district and individual schools.
William Grippo
Benjamin Guy III , Ward 4
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
We believe, teach and respond to the love of the Triune God: the Father, and creator of all that exists; Jesus Christ, the Son, who suffered and died for the sins of all humankind and rose again in victory over sin, death and the devil; and the Holy Spirit, who creates faith through God’s Word and the Sacraments.
May the peace of the Holy Trinity be with you, as you browse our site and explore how we might serve you & your family.
1640 Amwell Road Somerset NJ 08873
Dennis Hopkins , Jr.
- School safety continues to my primary concern within the district. …
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served: N/A
If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what: None
Membership in any civic organizations: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
- School safety continues to my primary concern within the district. The district needs to provide more resources to keep our students safe. Sanitation, recognizing and evaluating any students that shows symptoms of being sick followed by Isolation. These are some of the safeguards that will allow the district to have a successful school year.
- Transportation has become a problem within our district, not only are we struggling to get the students to school but away games are scheduled very late due to our lack of bus drivers. This ultimately causes our student athletes to get home from games very late on school nights. The district needs to create additional means that will attract and retain drivers. Although transportation is contracted, bonus and benefits could help the district to compete with others seeking drivers.
- Community and Parent Involvement can enrich the district. The best way to improve the schools is to have parents and the community become more invested in the education of all our students. Creating seminars that parents and students can partner in to boost confidence within the students beginning at Pre-K. Advertising all school events to attract the community to participate which will bring pride and unity within the district.
Dennis Hopkins , Jr
- School safety continues to my primary concern within the district. …
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served: N/A
If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what: None
Membership in any civic organizations: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
- School safety continues to my primary concern within the district. The district needs to provide more resources to keep our students safe. Sanitation, recognizing and evaluating any students that shows symptoms of being sick followed by Isolation. These are some of the safeguards that will allow the district to have a successful school year.
- Transportation has become a problem within our district, not only are we struggling to get the students to school but away games are scheduled very late due to our lack of bus drivers. This ultimately causes our student athletes to get home from games very late on school nights. The district needs to create additional means that will attract and retain drivers. Although transportation is contracted, bonus and benefits could help the district to compete with others seeking drivers.
- Community and Parent Involvement can enrich the district. The best way to improve the schools is to have parents and the community become more invested in the education of all our students. Creating seminars that parents and students can partner in to boost confidence within the students beginning at Pre-K. Advertising all school events to attract the community to participate which will bring pride and unity within the district.
Iglesia Christiana Pentecostal
598 Hamilton Street Somerset 08873
Erika Inocencia
- Current Democratic Committee Member, Ward 4, District 36
- Appointed, Somerset County Planning Board (2021-present)
- Appointed, Franklin Township Planning Board (2023-present)
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served:
N/A
If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what:
- Current Democratic Committee Member, Ward 4, District 36
- Appointed, Somerset County Planning Board (2021-present)
- Appointed, Franklin Township Planning Board (2023-present)
Membership in any civic organizations:
Current member, JFK Club (Recording Secretary 2020-2022)
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
Number one for me is the teacher shortage. Without teachers, there are no schools and no learning. We are losing teachers at an alarming rate as they either retire or take higher-paying jobs in nearby districts. As a parent of two students in the district, I see some of the negative impacts a diminished workforce has on our schools: an overreliance on substitute teachers, an inability to offer in-class, teacher-led instruction in certain disciplines thus needing to opt for online programs instead, and over-crowding of classrooms. The current situation puts additional stress on the teachers we do have which further threatens any retention efforts being made. In addition to the efforts already being made to attract and retain a high-quality, diverse workforce, I would like to see us consult with similarly situated districts that have had success attracting quality teachers and implement best practices. Also, we need to critically analyze the district budget to determine where savings can be found. Lastly, we need to engage our state legislative partners to make the case for our district when it comes to any additional funding or aid that may be available to us.
Next, I would seek a thorough review of our special education program to determine areas where improvements are needed. When I’ve spoken to parents of students with special needs or disabilities in the district, I hear many of the same things over and over, including feeling that they have been or are being pressured to choose one of the special education placement options the district offers although it is clear none of the options are appropriate for the child. Many parents have expressed that they feel they have no guidance through the IEP process and some have said they felt as if the district and special education coordinators were their adversaries rather than their partners in the process of determining the most appropriate educational placement for their child. Regardless of the challenges faced by any party involved, we should all agree that this should not be so. I value the partnerships I forged with my children’s teachers over the years in regards to their education. It should be no different for parents of students with special needs. If anything, they require more support from the district, not less. They should also know it is a priority of the district to ensure children with special needs are provided an educational program individually designed to meet their child’s unique educational needs and assists their student reach their full learning potential.
The third issue of importance for me is the health, safety and wellness of students, staff, their families and the community at large. Tackling this broad area requires a holistic approach as many issues are merely symptoms of deeper-rooted, underlying problems. If only the symptom is treated, the underlying causes go unaddressed only for the issue resurface down the line. I would seek for the district to partner with local community organizations to provide programs and services surrounding physical, mental and emotional wellness. I would also like the district to serve as a connector to a host of other services available to the community addressing often underlying, broader issues like food insecurity and job training and placement.
Goals
What are your top three goals, should you win election?
- Increase staff levels by successfully hiring and retaining quality educators and administrators.
- Address issues within our special education system to ensure every parent feels supported and in partnership with the district when it comes to ensuring every child, regardless of ability or need, is given the opportunity to reach their maximum academic potential.
- Identify and address barriers to learning that prevent our students from achieving personal and academic excellence. Addressing underlying issues families often face can have a tremendous impact on a student’s academic success and overall wellness.
Why should residents vote for you?
I’m an attorney with over 20 years of experience primarily as a criminal prosecutor and municipal lawyer. I have years of executive board experience and currently serve on the Somerset County and Franklin Township planning boards. I’m an eight-year resident of Franklin but my husband is a life-long resident and graduate of Franklin public schools. We have two children who are both district students. A now retired public educator helped raise me and my mother-in-law, a Franklin resident, is also a retired public educator. My professional experience informs my evidence-based, data-driven approach to problem-solving. My civic experience will ensure that I hit the ground running as new school board member. My personal background and experiences provide me with a broad, multifaceted perspective and collaborative approach to tackling even the most divisive of issues. No matter the issue, I will always put our students first.
Walter B. Jackson, Jr.
- I believe we need to create more innovative ways to have greater numbers of parent/guardian participation at Parent Teacher Conferences, PTO/PTSO meetings, sporting events, school performances and other events where there are opportunities for parents to connect with their child as well as with administration. …
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
- I believe we need to create more innovative ways to have greater numbers of parent/guardian participation at Parent Teacher Conferences, PTO/PTSO meetings, sporting events, school performances and other events where there are opportunities for parents to connect with their child as well as with administration. Parents’ schedules can sometimes give the perception that parents don’t want to be involved, when in fact, work schedules may prevent more active involvement. I would like to hear directly from those parents and work on solutions that will make them feel like they are a part of the entire educational process for their child. I also feel there needs to be late buses provided for students who participate in sports. I personally know a few kids, that because of transportation and parents’ work schedules, that participating in sports could not be an option. I would hate to see great talent not reach their potential because of the lack of opportunity to flourish in our school district.
- Financial Resources in the Public school system is needed across the board. There are many areas that need more resources to do more and there are many areas that are unfortunately doing more with less. The charter schools utilize a lot of the resources that could be beneficial to Franklin Township public schools for ensuring that needed programs are not cut and allowing for more creative opportunities for teachers to explore, innovate, and encourage their classrooms. I would continue the work that is being done with legislation to voice budget concerns and help stress the importance of the needs of our township public schools.
- As a parent of three daughters in the Franklin Township School District, it is beyond necessary that I have a sense of comfort knowing that my girls are safe, secure, and protected from the time that they get on the bus, while they are being productive at school, and when they return home. I want to help work to ensure that my kids, your kids, and the entire school staff are prepared for situations that unfortunately are too common today. There’s a lot that is being done currently, but there’s always room for improvement. I will continue to work with the collective community to help maintain that sense of comfort.
Jain Center
111 Cedar Grove Lane Somerset 8873
Robert “Kash” Kashinsky
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served: Not applicable
If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what:
Vice President Waxobe Archers
Nursing School Class President
Membership in any civic organizations:
Kiwanis International
Waxobe Archers, Inc.
Volunteer Firefighter
American Red Cross Volunteer
NSO Nursing Service Organization Member
Franklin Township GOP
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with
them:
1. Diminished Quality of Life
We have all experienced the traffic nightmares sprinkled around Franklin. Constant
overdevelopment with little community input is destroying quality of life. We deserve better.
Once elected, I will painstakingly investigate all matters placed in front of Council regarding
Quality of Life Issues and the ramifications of these decisions. We need to put residents needs
in front of the bottom line. To be successful in government means to be successful in improving
constituents lives, work and play whenever possible. Its time to put Franklin residents first
because they deserve better.
2. Community Safety
Our police department has a disturbing amount of public safety employment vacancies and
administrative issues. Why are these vacancies and other administrative issues being ignored?
We are a full-time community we deserve a fully staffed police department. We owe this to
ourselves and our children.
If provided the honor of representing Ward 5, I would investigate why our community is not
deserving of a police chief, only an Executive Director. An Executive Director who holds no
ability to actually arrest criminals. Franklin deserves a hands on leader not an overpaid
executive at a desk. We deserve better than the current situation that has been forced upon
our police department. We deserve better because it will help protect residents of Franklin and
maintain law and order. Law and Order that should be provided respectfully to all members of
our community. Innocence or guilt should not be determined in the street or the back of a
police car, it should be provided in a court of law. Our residents deserve equality and fairness.
I would further seek to implement a Civilian Review Board. Our police department and
residents alike deserve it. Oversight and transparency protect community members and police
alike.
3. Current Inadequate Environmental Focus
Recent floods have shown why environmental concerns must be addressed before they become
environmental catastrophes. As the lantern fly is now ravaging our forestry the council stands by and
does little to protect us or our natural vigor. Our forests and environment deserve better. So do we.