Speak Out!

By Bill Connell, Somerset. I was at the recent Township Council meeting where they introduced the latest version of the Cat Colony Ordinance.  Cat colony is a nice way to say feral.   Let’s be real.  Feeding feral cats is really about the basic need for humans to nurture. Parenting is a somewhat narcissistic affair but there is a nurture component.  My kids don’t …

By Bill Connell. “Have you ever had to put your life in another person’s hands? I have.”  This was the angry response from a friend when I made a glib remark about a news story affecting police culture.  More on that later.   I want to take a slightly different view of Beverly Lawson-Mayor Phil Kramer exchange regarding Veterans Month.   I was recently …

By Mayor Phil Kramer. Recently the Franklin Reporter & Advocate published a Letter to the Editor by Beverly Lawson. It stated it was a shame that the Township Council did not pass a proclamation recognizing June as Veterans’ Month. She accused us of playing politics. I was going to let it pass until a friend of mine emailed me saying …

By Beverly Lawson. If you are not aware, June is Veterans’ Month. At the June 12, 2025, council meeting, I asked whether a proclamation would be made in recognition of Veterans’ Month. I received no response. With the final meeting of June scheduled for June 24, I checked the agenda—and once again, there is no mention of veterans, no proclamation, …

By Wm. David Burns. Last year, the Franklin Reporter & Advocate chose Katie Nordhaus, the extraordinary director of our Township’s animal shelter, as its “Woman of the Year.”  It was a wise and well-deserved celebration of her distinguished service. Last week, we had an experience in our little corner of Franklin that reassured me—against lots of evidence to the contrary—that …

By Michelle Petersen. Each year, the Franklin Township Republican Municipal Committee (FTRMC) proudly joins our community at the Juneteenth Festival at Naaman Williams Park. We don’t just show up—we support. We purchase a vendor table, donate hundreds of dollars as sponsors, march in the parade, and joyfully hand out flags, candy, and other patriotic gifts to local children. Rain or …

By Steve Wright. I find it hard to understand the rationale for sharing the ethnicity of suspected crimes committed by ‘Black’ people and not the ethnicity of those arrested of other nationalities? Certainly, the police blog showed the nationality of the 38-year-old Belle Mead man arrested for DWI or the arrest of a 42-year-old Egg Harbor Township man for outstanding …

By Jenny C. Kafas. About a year ago, I moved back to Franklin Township after graduating college feeling like I needed to start actually being the change I want to see in the world. I have always prided myself on being informed, reading the news, and not shying away from having convictions about issues I care about, but with all …

By Bill Connell. I cycle a fair amount , and have made an observation.  The fact is though, I didn’t have to leave my front porch to make it.  1 out of 10 E bikers don’t wear helmets.  I have ridden multiple variations of these from pedal assist to high power bikes. In fact, I drove a high powered bike  into a knee …

By Elizabeth Hucul. The Franklin Reporter published an article on April 2, 2025 about the redevelopment and demolition of the Ukrainian Cultural Center on Davidson Avenue by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA (UOC of USA). I would like to voice a few of my concerns regarding the content of the article. I write both as a central New …