Community Building

More than 150 people gathered in and around the township Cultural Arts Gazebo June 12 to renew their opposition to a project they thought they’d already defeated. The group rallied in the wake of the decision by Texas-based Williams-Transco to petition the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reinstate their three-state project that would include building a 32,000-horsepower, natural gas-powered twin-turbine …

READY TO COUNT – Ballot tabulations being dropped off to the municipal building on June 10. Local incumbent candidates appear to be leading in their races for their party’s nominations, according to unofficial results from the 2025 primary election on June 10. Township Councilman Carl Wright (D-Ward 4) and state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) were the only candidates facing primary …

SPECIAL RECOGNITION – Franklin Food Bank Executive Director with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar at the Congressional Hunger Center’s annual Hunger Leadership Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Franklin Food Bank.) The Franklin Food Bank was recently recognized nationally with the 2025 Community Champion Hunger Leadership Award at the Congressional Hunger Center’s annual Hunger Leadership Awards Dinner. Food Bank Executive Director Derek Smith accepted the award on behalf …

PLANNING THE PARTY – Historic Commissioner Bob LaCorte talks about the ideas being formed for the Township’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding. The newly minted chairman of the as-yet-unnamed committee to plan the Township’s commemoration of the country’s 250th anniversary recently gave a few sneak peeks into early planning of the event. Bob LaCorte, who was …

NEW COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN – Bob LaCorte was recently named the chairman of a new committee to spearhead Franklin’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding. (File photo.) The first member of an as-yet-unnamed township committee to guide Franklin’s commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026 was recently named. That person, nominated by Mayor Phil Kramer …

Spectators lined the parade route along DeMott Lane May 26 for the township’s annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade featured classic cars, the Franklin High School Warriors Marching band, Boy and Girl Scout Troops and many others. The parade wound up at the Veterans Memorial Park, in front of the Municipal Building on DeMott, for a short ceremony. The parade’s …

SAY CHEESE – A student takes a selfie with one of the animals in two petting zoos during the 3rd Annual Green Fair held May 3 at Franklin High School. A ribbon-cutting for the groundbreaking of the new Franklin High School outdoor learning center highlighted the 3rd Annual Green Fair held May 3 at the school. The new center, located …

Franklin Middle School’s Hamilton Street Campus was the scene May 2 of the 3rd Annual Diversity Festival. The event uses food, music, dance and games to celebrate the diversity in Franklin Township public schools. Here’s an interview with Daryn Plummer, the event’s organizer:   Stay ‘In the Know,’ subscribe to the Franklin Reporter & Advocate! No other media outlet covering …

PRAYERS FOR THE COUNTRY – The Rev. Sonya Redd reads a prayer during the Franklin Township Interfaith Coalition’s observance of the National Day of Prayer May 1 in Veterans Memorial Park. Members of Franklin Township’s faith-based community gathered at Veterans Memorial Park on DeMott Lane on May 1 for the annual observance of the National Day of Prayer. The observance …

Community members can create their own floral bouquets May 9 and May 10 at Venus Jewelers’ “Blooms for Mom” Mother’s Day event. The newly renovated store, located in Rutgers Plaza on Easton Avenue, will feature a flower bar where participants can create their bouquets at no charge. Designed as a gesture of appreciation for moms and caregivers, this no purchase …