Community Building

“GOLD STANDARD” – Township Attorney Lou Rainone said at the April 8 Township Council meeting that Franklin has become an example of how towns should plan for affordable housing. The Township will be obligated to provide for the construction of 659 more affordable housing units over the next 10 years, according to a settlement it reached with a builder industry …

HONORING ARAB AMERICANS – Township Councilman Alex Kharazi reads the Council’s Arab American Heritage Month proclamation. To his left is Mahmoud Azmi, who accepted the proclamation. The Township Council formally recognized Arab American Heritage Month at its April 8 meeting. Accepting the proclamation was Prof. Mahmoud Azmi, a township resident and president of The Egyptian American Council. “As values of …

Franklin High School’s production of “Cinderella – The Enchanted Version” will be presented over the next two weekends at the school’s Theatre. The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, inspired by the 1997 television movie starring Brandy and Whitney Houston, tells the story of Cinderella – a kind young woman forced into servitude by her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. Cinderella is transformed …

ACCEPTING COMMENDATION – Franklin Youth Center’s Joel Painson holds the award won by the Center for its student-led promotional video, “Sounds of Tomorrow” at the March 25 Township Council meeting. Staff and students from the Franklin Youth Center were honored at the March 25 Township Council meeting for winning an award for their promotional video. The award was given by …

TRANSGENDER DAY CEREMONY – Township Councilmember Ed Potosnak speaks during the Council’s recognition of Transgender Day of Visibility, which is March 31. The Township Council recognized March 31 as the Transgender Day of Visibility at the March 25 meeting with a proclamation. The proclamation said the day is “a day to honor the lived experiences of transgender individuals, acknowledge the …

EXPRESSING THANKS – Geetha Ponmudi, former president of New Jersey Tamil Sangam, thanks the Township Council for its commendation at the March 25 Council meeting. The New Jersey Tamil Sangam was formally thanked at the March 25 Township Council meeting for its donation of a bench to be installed by the cultural gazebo in the Municipal Complex. The New Jersey …

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO! – Runners take off in the Garden State Track Club’s 10-Miler March 23 in Colonial Park. An estimated 700 runners took part in the race. Close to 900 runners from New Jersey and elsewhere were estimated to toe the line on March 23 at the annual Garden State Track Club’s 10-Miler and Cookie chase …

The 5th annual “March Madness” Tricky Tray to benefit the Franklin High School Athletic Boosters was held March 22 at the high school. More than 300 people showed up to vie for more than 300 baskets and other prizes. A Booster Club officer estimated that at least $20,000 was raised. Baskets included gift certificates for dinners, Caribbean vacations, and gym …

SIGN CONTROVERSY – This sign in the front yard of a DeMott Lane home has sparked a response from Mayor Phil Kramer, Councilmember Ed Potosnak and state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen. A DeMott Lane resident is once again causing controversy with a sign placed on his front yard. The sign pictures a small boy under the large text: “Boys have a …

FOOD BANK FUNDRAISER – Derek Smith, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Bank, center, speaks to two attendees during the seventh annual Empty Bowls fundraiser at the DoubleTree Hotel. It was all smiles among the Franklin Food Bank officials March 9 after the seventh annual Empty Bowls fundraiser for the Franklin Food Bank, held at the DoubleTree Hotel. The event …