News-pourri

A township resident will serve as the Vice-Chairman of the Somerset County Republican Organization beginning July 23. Ravikanth “Ravi” Kolla, a long-time township resident, is running on the “Unity 2020” ticket, which is unopposed at the July 23 SCRO executive board election. “Ravi has put Franklin GOP and the Somerset County GOP on the social media map,” incoming Somerset GOP …

The Township Council has canceled the annual Franklin Day Festival for 2020. Uncertainty over whether the state’s ban on large group gatherings would be lifted in the next two months led the township to cancel the annual Franklin Day Festival. Township Manager Robert Vornlocker suggested the cancellation of this year’s September fest, which draws upwards of 20,000 people to Colonial …

Jada Bethea. Photo: Emma Richter. Submitted by Emma Richter, FHS Class of 2018. Someone I used to spend most of my time with at Franklin High School, running up and down the field hockey field with, rooting for each other on the sidelines, is also the same person who is standing up for change in Franklin right now. Jada Bethea, …

Artist’s rendering of a proposed office-warehouse on Veronica Avenue. The Miami, Fla.-based developer who wants to build two warehouses on open land along Veronica Avenue will have to wait two weeks to see if his project is approved. That’s because there were only six Zoning Board of Adjustment members eligible to vote on the application at the July 2 meeting. …

A 20 x 30-foot tent has been erected outside the Somerset County Administration Building to help residents obtain mail-in ballots for the July 7 primary election. Submitted by the Somerset County Public Information Office. The Somerset County Clerk’s office will hold extended hours leading up to the July 7 Democratic and Republican primaries to issue vote-by-mail ballots, including being open …

Six Mile Run Reservoir Site could be open to privatization under a plan approved by the Murphy administration. (Graphic: NJ Trails Association.) The Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park and Six Mile Run Reservoir Site could be part of a program included in a stop-gap budget measure that will open state parks to privatization. Both areas fall within Franklin’s boundaries. …

Update: The group showed up again on July 2, but township police shut the meeting down shortly after it started. FTPD Lt. Phil Rizzo said the department “received several complaints about the group including loud music and ‘rowdy’ behavior. Upon arriving and speaking with the group they left without incident.” Original Story: A large gathering of self-described car enthusiasts suddenly …

Marchers take their message from Middlebush Park to the Public Safety Building on June 26. Close to 100 people gathered June 26 at Middlebush Park for a march for justice to the Public Safety Building on DeMott Lane. The march was to honor people of color who have been killed by police. Once at the Public Safety Building, which houses …

Franklin residents celebrating Juneteenth took to the streets June 20 with a loud, joyful celebration of Black emancipation. Juneteenth celebrates the day in 1865 – June 19 – when Union Gen. Gordon Granger read aloud in Galveston, Texas, General Order No. 3, which announced the emancipation of slaves. The Emancipation Proclamation had been issued by Pres. Abraham Lincoln nearly 2 …

The Somerset County Park Commission has announced that reservations are now being accepted for picnics in county parks, including Colonial Park. Events may be scheduled now for Wednesday, July 1, 2020 and beyond. Social distancing guidelines should be followed, and face coverings are strongly recommended. Portable bathroom facilities will be available.Each of the two pavilion picnic areas available at Colonial …