Speak Out!

By Skip Schaeffer, Somerset. Regarding the virtual town meeting on January 12 on an idea for a Grandparents Pocket Park on Willow Avenue, the Franklin Reporter & Advocate article describing the meeting, and the two different opinions listed on the FR&A website: I did not attend the meeting.I previously lived in that Quail Brook community for 12 years. Addressing Mr. …

By Bill Connell, Somerset. The catalyst of this letter is that I did not think the Franklin Reporter & Advocate’s Editor’s letter regarding parks reflected the wisdom I know he has. First off though, the park meeting was awesome.  It had lots of respectful participation, and even a petition.  This is good work.  There were a few times a speaker …

Sometimes, what the Township Council thinks is a good idea doesn’t necessarily reflect public opinion. Those are not our words; they were spoken by Councilman Will Galtieri on January 12 after dozens of Franklin residents skewered his plan to build a pocket park – Galtieri calls it a “Grandparents’ Park” – near the corner of Willow Avenue and New Brunswick …

By Mayor Phil Kramer. Twenty plus years ago, when Laurie and I lived in Baltimore, we had a friend, Mary, who held a senior administrative position at Loyola College.  I recall a discussion with her about how much more class time kids spent on social issues in modern times, than we did when we were in school. She conjectured that they …

By Arnold Schmidt. To Jim Johnstone:  You referred to an FR&A article “dated as recently as 9/23/2019” about this park plan.  I proposed that we wait to see the actual 2021 plan before forming an opinion on the park. We agree that Franklin is overdeveloped, but we need parks to accommodate our growing population.  The Open Space Advisory Committee does …

By Arnold W. Schmidt. I recently read an article, and subsequent comments online, about a lot of concerns regarding a proposed park in the New Brunswick Road/Willow Avenue area.  The 2012 park plan being discussed was 6 acres which would have meant clear-cutting many trees. The new park plan is actually proposed to be on Willow Avenue across from Harrow …

By Mayor Phil Kramer. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Lots of food with the people I love most. I am however concerned about COVID spreading this Thanksgiving. Here are my suggestions on how to do a safer Thanksgiving. I recommend not gathering beyond your typical family unit. My extended family is planning a Zoom cooking event followed sometime later by …

By Michele Rojek, Troop 113 Committee Publicity Chair. Franklin Township Boy Scout Troop 113 is on the move again and ready to serve you! On Saturday, September 5th, 2020, Troop 113 kicked off our 54th Scouting Season and we are expecting a very busy year since five of our members will be aging out of the program and on their …

By Mark Grieco. Several years ago, I happened upon a tour of one of the preserved, 18th Century farm houses in Franklin Township. A costume-clad guide explained the various artifacts of the house to an interested couple, the only other people on the tour. After the couple wandered to another room, I played upon a hunch and in a confidential …

By Bill Connell, Somerset I find it enjoyable to observe, assess, and comment. Sometimes, it’s for fun, sometimes it’s to challenge someone, or just to play devil’s advocate and tip over the apple cart. Surprisingly though, I have had nothing to say about current events.  I have been avoiding adding one more opinion. Most of the time opinions come from …