We are not just running for the Township Committee; we live here, our families are here, and we are deeply invested in the everyday life of Franklin Township. Defending our town from overdevelopment happens in the committee room, but building a strong, tight-knit community happens out here on the ground.
Whether we are cheering on local athletes, or attending local events, our priority is staying connected with you. Take a look at what we’ve been up to recently around town.
Recent Community Highlights
July 13 | 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝐔 𝐛𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬!
It was great being out with the family to back the Franklin 10U team as they walked away with a 13-3 win to take the title. These kids put in the hard work, the pitching was remarkable, every kid on the field gave 110%, and they earned every single run. It’s awesome seeing all their hard work and dedication pay off with a championship.
Even though the win belongs to the players, this is a great moment for coaches who have watched them grow from little T-ballers into a championship team. Thank you to the coaches for dedicating your time and energy to these kids, it definitely does not go unnoticed. Seeing so many people from our town make the trip to support them makes me proud to be part of the Franklin Township Little League family. The whole township is proud of you guys. Great job, team!
June 28 | This past Saturday we spent time at the Newfield Terrace Community Day.
They were officially opening the new basketball court and food pantry annex. But the best part of the day was listening to the tributes for Rudolph and Marlene Aikens. Having had the privilege of coaching their son, Rudy, seeing so many people come out to testify about the impact his parents had on their lives really hit home.
Together, Rudolph and Marlene spent over three decades doing the hard work behind the scenes, running the local pantry, mentoring kids, and being the rocks of an entire community. We’re confident that their impact will live on for generations.
To the Aikens family and the Newfield Terrace Community Center, thank you for the legacy you have built. It was a humbling and special day to witness.
June 15 | Another season in the books.
Another season in the books. So proud of how hard my two youngest girls worked on the field this season. Being their coach is great, but treating them to post-game ice cream is the best part. Huge shout out to all the other players this season, the parents, and especially the coaches who volunteer their time for our kids.
May 27 | Took the family over to the Main Road Art Show tonight.
You can tell the kids put a lot of work into these projects. Between the blacklight room and the handprint murals, they had some really creative setups.
With five kids, we’ve been through a lot of school events, but it’s always good to get out and see what the students are working on. It takes a lot of time and coordination to put an event like this together. A huge thank you to the teachers, staff, volunteers, parents, and administrators who made it happen. Great job to all the students involved!
This isn’t just about a great local tradition; it is about the mission behind it. Every dollar raised goes directly toward supporting the Veterans of Foreign Wars, members, veterans, and the families who stand behind them.
I know firsthand how vital this local support system is for our brothers and sisters returning home. The VFW Post 2071 does incredible work ensuring no veteran is left behind, and it is our duty as a community to back them up.
Support your local VFW! Taking care of our neighbors is what Franklin Township does best.
April 20 | Stopped by the grand opening of the Jersey Diner in Malaga with the family today
Stopped by the grand opening of the Jersey Diner in Malaga with the family today, and they did an incredible job with the place. I know so many of us have been waiting for this spot to finally open its doors again after the old Malaga Diner closed.
The renovations look great, and the food is exactly what you want from a local diner. The place was packed, and seeing everyone show up to support a new local business is exactly why I love this community and our neighbors.
April 18 | Friends of the Franklin Township Library book sale.
We stopped by the Friends of the Franklin Township Library, book sale with the family today, and the place is packed wall-to-wall with people and books. Seeing everyone out supporting a great local cause is exactly why I love this community and our neighbors.
If you have some time today, come on out and support the library. You can’t beat stocking up on books for only $0.50 each.
April 17 | Youth sports in full swing
With youth sports in full swing, I want to take a minute to recognize all the parents and neighbors out there volunteering to coach.
We always say we volunteer for the kids, to teach them the game and how to work as a team. But if we’re being honest, being out on that field is just as good for us. It’s a few hours a week where we get to step away from work, put our phones in our pockets, and forget about the daily stress. It’s where we actually get to catch up with our neighbors, share some laughs, and just enjoy being part of the community.
Franklin Township is a great place to raise a family because so many of you are willing to give up your free time to make these programs happen.
Thank you to everyone out on the dirt and the grass this season.
April 14 | WE CAME TOGETHER, AND WE MADE THEM LISTEN.
I have just returned from tonight’s Township Committee meeting, and I want to start by saying thank you. I stepped up to the microphone and did my absolute best to get the answers our taxpayers deserve.
Whether you attended tonight to support the resolutions or to stand against them, it was incredible to see so many residents speak up. Everyone in that room shared one common goal: wanting what is best for the township we love and call home.
Here is the most important update: After hearing from the public, the committee voted NO to the settlement agreement that had been drafted up with the developer
But we have to be honest about how we got into this situation. This crisis did not happen overnight. The township has had many decades to come up with a smart, proactive, alternative plan to meet our obligations, and local leadership completely failed to do so. Because of decades of inaction, we are now stuck in a position where we have to fight off massive corporate developers to protect our town.
The road ahead will not be easy. But seeing our township come together tonight proves that when we stand united, we give ourselves the best possible chance to win. Thank you to everyone who showed up.
March 14 | Little League Field Cleanup
Thank you to everyone who came out to help the Little League this morning!
We put the word out hoping to rally some extra volunteers, but our community completely over-delivered. I’m hearing this was the biggest turnout they’ve had in a long time, and the fields have honestly never looked better for the kids.
Seeing everyone roll up their sleeves and work together is exactly what our town is all about.
If you see us around town, please come say hello.
We mean it when we say our door is always open. Government works best when neighbors listen to neighbors. If you see Phil or Eugene out and about in Franklin Township, please walk up, introduce yourself, and let us know what is on your mind. We are always ready to listen.