News-pourri

A proclamation acknowledging the Sikh religion during one of its most significant celebrations was given April 9 by the Township Council. The proclamation, read by Mayor Phil Kramer, was for Vaisakhi, “one of the most religiously significant days in Sikh history, commemorating the creation of the Khalsa, a fellowship of devout Sikhs, by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699,” according to …

A seven-year member of the Human Relations Commission who is leaving the state to pursue her medical career was honored for her “dedicated service to the community” April 9 by the Township Council. Shirin Poustchi, an HRC member since 2012, will be conducting her medical residency in internal medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The Franklin High School Lady Warriors basketball team’s victory tour continued April 9 with a commendation by the Township Council. The Lady Warriors posted an historic season, going 34-0 – the best single-season record in state basketball history –  and winning the state Tournament of Champions for the second time in three years.

Saying a primary against Mayor Phil Kramer would be “divisive,” embattled Township Councilman Rajiv Prasad announced April 9 that he is ending his challenge . Prasad, who has been an At-Large Councilman for 13 years, filed for the Democratic primary after he did not screen before the township Democratic committee to run for re-election in November.

The Center for Great Expectations hopes to raise $7,500 over the next month through a fundraiser at Brunswick Square Mall on Route 18 in East Brunswick. Called the “Baby Bottle Brigade” and running from April 13 through May 11, the fundraiser entails shoppers filling up baby bottles with the change they receive after shopping at the mall’s stores.

Submitted by Youth Leadership Somerset. Youth Leadership Somerset, a leadership development program for Somerset County youth entering grades 9-12, is accepting applications for the 2019-2020 program year, which runs September through May. Classes are held one Saturday per month for approximately four to six hours. The application deadline is Wednesday, May 15.

With “One Franklin, One Family” as their campaign slogan, the four township Republicans running for Mayor and Township Council say they will, “return civility to the council and provide strong checks and balances in the local government.” The four Republican candidates are Beverly Briggs-Lawson, who is running for mayor; Santhosh “Sam” Velu, Alhaji “Noah” Fofanah and Christina Ganzer-Zambri, who are …

Update 1: Mayor Kramer and Ron Jordan, head of the township Democratic Party, have responded to Prasad’s decision to run a challenge. “I look forward to the opportunity to place before the voters my record on issues such as responsible fiscal stewardship, improvements to our community’s quality of life and the implementation of open, transparent and ethical governance in Franklin …

More than three dozen pieces of art and jewelry were up for auction March 31 to benefit a local women’s shelter. The event, “Art With Heart,” was held at Sophie’s Bistro on Hamilton Street. The money raised will benefit Dina’s Dwelling, a project of the Town Clock Community Development Corp.

A local state Assemblymen who played an integral role in proposed legislation designed to expand medial marijuana opportunities in the state said he’s not deterred by the bill’s failure to be voted on this week. The bill, A-10, was paired with another bill that would legalize recreational marijuana. The measures were scheduled to be put up for a vote on …