The Franklin Township Council held a regular meeting on February 28, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the municipal building. The meeting included commendations, public comments on noise and housing issues, introduction and adoption of multiple ordinances, and approval of a consent agenda. Councilwoman Crystal Pruitt announced she would not seek re-election.
All three ordinances were adopted unanimously (9-0).
All seven ordinances were introduced unanimously (9-0) for future public hearings on March 14, 2023, at 7:00 PM.
All seven resolutions were approved unanimously.
In accordance with the Upland Public Meeting Act of the State of New Jersey, adequate notice of this work session regular meeting of the Franklin Township Council was made by the posting on the bulletin board in the municipal building. The township website electronically transmitted to the officially designated newspapers, indicating that this work session regular meeting would take place in the municipal building. We could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for the invocation by Councilwoman Kimberly Francois. Here are thy infinite love and graciously grant us the strength and power in our thoughts and decisions for the benefit of all people at all times. Councilwoman Francois here. Mayor Kramer. Here. Councilman Noni Jaka. Councilmember Vitoznet. Councilwoman Pruitt? Here. Councilwoman Udine? Here. Councilman Vassanella? Yeah. Councilman Wright. Okay, we've got on to item number five on the agenda. There are copies of the agendas up there next to the clerk. First item is recognition of Abigail. I guess this starts the Councilman Wright show. Hello. My name is Carl Wright. I'm the four Ford Councilman here in Franklin Township, and this is Abigail. And what Abigail is going to do to you, she's going to enlighten you on a very important subject. She's going to give you a speech by Malcolm X. And we all need to play close attention to what she says. Now, you're from Piscataway. I wanted to I want to be a doctor. She wants to be a what? A doctor. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up, goes to college, goes to medical school, goes through residency. She wants to be a doctor. Okay? What kind of doctor? I'm not really sure yet. She wants to be one of those not really sure yet doctors that we all want to see. Okay. Now, without messing around, without doing anything else. Uh read the proclamation after you give us your speech. Good evening. My name is Abigail Iburnke, and I am a proud member of the New Brunswick chapter of the New Jersey Orators. Today, I will be presenting in the category of Declamation. My piece is an excerpt from the speech entitled By Any Means Necessary by Malcolm X. Malcolm X was born as Malcolm Little in 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. His family later moved to Michigan after receiving threats from the Ku Klux Klan. Even in their new home, they continued to face threats. He dropped out of school in the eighth grade and began selling drugs, earning himself the nickname of Detroit Red and landing himself in jail at the age of 21. It was around this time that he adopted the last name X as a rejection of his slave name. He became a civil rights activist, advocating for civil rights by any means necessary, which is the inspiration behind this piece. His fiery and passionate approach to activism made him a somewhat controversial figure to those who shrank at the idea of African Americans fighting back.