Speak Out!

Submitted by the Care For Creation Student Ministry Green Army Team St. Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Forane Church in Somerset, New Jersey, embraced Earth Day with a series of impactful activities, demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. The church community, comprising parents and children, came together on May 4th to partake in various eco-conscious endeavors. From cleaning and …

By Bill Connell. There is an evolving story regarding signage policy that has caught my interest.  Often people ask me regarding town issues “how did this happen?” thinking I know something. More often than not, I don’t have special knowledge, I just pay attention. Many times over the years I have seen the Township Council or the Township Manager be …

Submitted by the Franklin Township Environmental Commission. In 2022 the Franklin Township Environmental Commission initiated an early Spring alternative lawn care project that would improve the population of pollinators in Franklin and engage the public to participate and have fun. Pollinator is a collective term for insects, such as bees, that are a critical component of our environment and agriculture, …

By Bill Connell. I know all of Franklin’s leaders on a first-name basis and I think this is important.  It is irrelevant if I agree or disagree with any one of them on any one topic.  There are 9 people on the Township Council for a reason. You can only hope the average of those opinions is productive. I make it no …

By Bill Connell. In fairness to Joe Danielsen I need to write one more letter regarding the Open Public Records Act, since he is moving in a direction I was hoping to see. Last night he spoke in front of a group of local Democrats and tried to explain what issues he is trying to fix by modifying, not destroying …

Submitted by the Franklin Township Interfaith Council. Here in Franklin Township, we are blessed to live in a very diverse community with different ethnicities, races, and religious groups.  However, many of our friends and families in this community have been affected by the October 7th attack by Hamas on Israel and the subsequent war and killing of thousands of Palestinians …

By Bill Connell. I use this space to express my observations or opinions about life events. They are just opinions, and you know what they say about opinions. I never think I am 100 percent right, I just need to say it, and do It anyway. Maybe Sorry Scott (and Gary). I wrote an opinion piece that I was trying …

By State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen. I am happy to announce that on April 24th, my annual free job fair will return from its hiatus. This is the first time since before the pandemic that this important event will be held, and I couldn’t be more pleased to offer this amazing opportunity once again to the citizens of my legislative district and …

By Bill Connell. Yesterday on Facebook the Franklin Reporter and Advocate  interviewed the protesters outside Assemblyman Joe Danielson’s office, regarding the dumbing down  of OPRA laws and criteria at the state level. The interviews were more on the advocate side of things than reporting.  A newspaper not wanting to change OPRA laws is not terribly surprising, but there are two sides to the …

By Bill Connell. This week several quality people and leaders utilized the Speak Out space to admonish a resident for a truly inappropriate front lawn sign.  I agree with them all. Franklin is great this way.  We let people exist, but on certain things we cross party lines and try to fix an issue. The volume of criticism struck me and made …