Speak Out!

By Karen Trautmann, Somerset. It’s that time of year where children count down the days to experience the magic of Christmas morning and adults hope for just a few more days to decorate, clean, bake, buy, and wrap to get everything just right for the magical day. Saturday evening was no different. “Mommy, what’s going on?” my three-year old asked …

Woodrow Wilson. Photo: Whitehouse.gov By Michael D. Purzycki, Somerset. Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet covering Franklin Township brings you the depth of information presented by the Franklin Reporter & Advocate. Period. We are the only truly independent media serving the Eight Villages. But we can only do that with your support. Please consider a yearly subscription to our …

By Dr. Sayed M. Rizvi, Clifton. The recent terrorism in Paris is sadly yet another heinous, deplorable and inhumane attack on humanity. These acts of hate and evil need to be confronted and halted one way or the other. Everyone, be it regular citizens, the government or members of a particular faith, must come in unison to stop these atrocious …

By Dr. Syed M. Rizvi, Clifton. Today we have great challenges because the terrorists and criminals are attacking the very essence and meaning of Islam. We have never seen such an upheaval in the world as we are witnessing today. In the name of Islam these terrorists are killing Muslims, Christians, Jews, and followers of other religions. Muslims are more …

By Bill Connell, Somerset. More than once in local politics I have seen where the answer or the reaction to the question is far, far worse than the question itself. This situation is no more evident than with Township Councilman Rajiv Prasad. His interpretation and reaction to his detractors was embarrassing for him and the whole Democratic Party. Don’t Miss …

By William Galtieri, Somerset. When Chris Kelly ran in 2007 his message was clear that the only way to control taxes is to control spending. Now as acting mayor, he has reversed that opinion doing the complete opposite. He has voted to spend more of taxpayers’ money, wanting to spend more than anyone else on the Township Council but not …

By Richard Seamon, Somerset. My involvement in the Franklin Township School District began in 1998 when I attended a Board of Education meeting due to a transportation issue for my oldest child who was entering Kindergarten. With a younger child at home and a third child on the way, it became very clear to my wife and I that we …

By Scott Siegel, Somerset. Recently Franklin Township experienced a sad and tragic experience when Township Councilman Rajiv Prasad accused innocent opponents of racism, while in reality they opposed the building of Catalpa Park. There were several reasons why the Tranquility Alliance was formed: traffic congestion on a two-lane, highly traveled, South Middebush Road; noise from athletic events and keeping the …

By Skip Schaefer, Somerset. I’ve been a Franklin resident for 28 years and have been going to Board of Education meetings for the last dozen. Witnessed plenty of BOE budget vote rejections that had to be scaled down to be approved. Same with building referendums. However, last December’s “One Less Move” building referendum vote for $85 million passed relatively easily. …

By Bill Connell, Somerset. The Township Council makes hundreds of decisions a year. Many people come to meetings for the sideshow of public session and then leave, but the best part is the Consent agenda. This is where you start to understand what it takes to keep the town running. I have been to more than a few meetings where …