News-pourri

ALL SMILES – Gov.-Elect Mikie Sherrill shares a laugh with Township Councilwoman Shepa Uddin after the latter was sworn in to her new term at the January 3 Township Council reorganization meeting. The five newly elected Township Council members had a special guest swear them in at the January 3 Township Council reorganization meeting: Gov.-Elect Mikie Sherrill. During the afternoon …

ONE LAST PICTURE – Outgoing Board of Education members Ardaman Singh, Walter Jackson and Nancy LaCorte (left to right, holding plaques) pose with schools Superintendent John Ravally, former Board member Michael Smith, Mayor Phil Kramer and Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (left to right) at the December 18 Board meeting. The three departing Board of Education members received many accolades during their …

STUDENTS FETED – Members of the Franklin High School GoldN’Blues Choir after their performance at the December 18 Board of Education meeting. Continuing their victory tour after appearing in the nationally broadcast NBC Rockefeller Center tree lighting, the Franklin High School “GoldN’Blues” choir were feted by the Board of Education at its December 18 meeting. The choir, which also goes …

The Franklin Township Police Department’s Community Relations Bureau on December 20 held its 5th Annual Holiday Toy and Clothing distribution at the CRB headquarters on Hamilton Street. The fifth year of the event is a “milestone that reflects the continued generosity and community spirit of Franklin Township residents and local partners,” FTPD spokesman Capt. Vincent Wilson said in a release …

NEW VICE PRINCIPAL – Cindy Jimenez speaks to the Board of Education December 18 after being named the new Claremont Road Elementary School vice principal. A veteran English as a Second Language teacher was named the new vice principal at Claremont Elementary School December 18 by the Board of Education. Cindy Jimenez, a 14-year district veteran, will start her new …

By Phyllis Beals. Persons in long-term recovery from substance use disorders and/or family members who have been impacted by the opiate crisis are asked to serve in a volunteer capacity on the newly forming Municipal Alliance Opiate Funds Advisory Subcommittee. Involving people with lived experience and their family members in decisions about opioid settlement funds is crucial because they provide invaluable …

LENDING A HAND – Elizabeth Avenue School students and staff pose with Franklin Food Bank Executive Director Derek Smith after the students presented Smith with a $650 donation. Elizabeth Avenue School students and staff were all smiles December 17 as they continued their tradition of helping the Franklin Food Bank with a $650 contribution. The ceremonial check was presented in …

FRANKLIN’S FAMOUS – Members of the Franklin High School Madrigals show the commendations they were awarded December 9 by the Township Council for being named NBC’s “Star Choir” for 2025. The Franklin High School Madrigals’ victory tour continued on December 9 when they received a commendation from the Township Council. The Madrigals, performing under the name, GoldN’Blues Choir, was named …

There were no increases in the Fire District Commissioners’ stipends approved December 9 by the Township Council. The proposed stipends were approved by voters in the four districts in the February Fire Election. The Council approved the following stipends: Fire District No. 1 $9,000.00 (Commissioners except Chair) Fire District No. 1 $9,500.00 (Chairman) Fire District No. 2 $8,250.00 each Fire …

EXPLAINING THE PROJECT – Engineer Tyler Vandervalk explains the modified proposal for a convenience store/gas station on Elizabeth Avenue at the December 4 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting. A proposal to turn a car repair shop into a convenience store at Elizabeth and Cedar avenues ran into heavy flak at the December 4 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting. The plan, …