Speak Out!

By Jasmin Harrison, Braun Wright, Ta-leia Newsom, and Yasmin St Rose. We greet you in the name of the Most High and our honored Ancestors. “This is for the people in general, and Black people in particular.” There is an amassing devastation that the Black community faces, that the world bears witness to on a daily basis. A devastation that has sparked …

By Mayor Phil Kramer. I am very gratified by the success of the first day of the “Get Tested Franklin” initiative. I just learned 546 people were tested July 27 at St. Matthias!!! We cut off the registration at 500 (ages 2-94). But as I said we take walk ups. Hopefully, we will have more stats on July 28, such …

By Jonathan Medina, Somerset. Dear Governor Murphy, I appreciate your efforts to keep New Jersey residents safe. You were swift in your response, closing the state to all but essential businesses, while mandating face-masks. I also am grateful that the state has employed contact-tracing efforts to ensure that those who are infected do not further spread the disease. As a …

By Arnold W. Schmidt, Somerset. In a recent opinion letter that discusses the rule of law and Covid-19, Mark Grieco makes some interesting points.  However I am at a loss about why he did not name the store where four times he witnessed violations of the Governor’s Executive Orders requiring workers and customers to wear face coverings.  By not wearing …

By Mark Grieco, Somerset. There has been a recent uptick in COVID-19 in the township and one theory is that as we open up, people are getting lax about wearing masks. That is one possible explanation, but it points to a larger problem in the township: the dwindling ability to enforce the rule of law. As an example, I recently …

By Mayor Phil Kramer.  Citizens of Franklin Township along with citizens throughout our country have been stirred to raise their voices in recent days. Not only due to the incredible act of inhumanity leveled against George Floyd, but also due to the continuing inequality and injustice which still too frequently occurs in today’s society. Citizens of all races and ethnic …

By Dr. Namik Sercan. The CJCP Board of Trustees, administration, and staff are devastated by recent incidents of police brutality and racial violence in several communities around our nation. It is a very emotional and problematic time in our  country right now, which requires immediate and tangible actions from all segments of our community in unity  and solidarity. Just like the ones that happened …

By Mayor Phil Kramer. “These are the times that try men’s souls”, wrote the patriot Thomas Paine during the American Revolution. At the time he penned those words, Americans were struggling to establish the first steps on the long road to the perfection of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Today, we face what may seem like a long, …

Editor’s Note: Mayor Kramer wrote this opinion in response to the effort by mayors in Bedminster, Bernards, Bernardsville, Bridgewater, and Far Hills to convince Gov. Phil Murphy not open more businesses faster. By Mayor Phil Kramer. I respect the position of the five Somerset County Mayors who are advocating for business owners.  Some might perceive they are suggesting to open businesses immediately. …

By Mayor Phil Kramer On May 13th Franklin hit two milestones regarding COVID-19. Both of them 100. The one we will all notice is sadly, very sadly, is we reached 100 deaths. One hundred people, and hundreds of family members and friends affected. One hundred lights on our makeshift memorial. And one hundred lives cut short. We will never be …