Franklin Newsletter
June, 2005
July 8,
2005 7 pm. Franklin Community Council, Inc. Board Meeting, Bill &
Dianna Morrison’s garage, 301 S. Vine (behind old Catholic
Church). All welcome to attend. Anyone who would like
to help in any of the projects are invited. There are still
many projects to complete and all are welcome to become a part of the
rebuilding and future of Franklin. Please try to spare a
little time each month to help. If you are unable to attend the
meetings contact a board member to let us know how you would like to
help.
A $10,000 donation was received from the Community Foundation of
Southeast Kansas. The organization was given to honor the
spirit of the community. They were inspired by all that has been
accomplished and by the level of volunteerism that continues two years
after the tornado struck the community. There have been
many hours donated by local volunteers. We appreciate
everyone in the community who has stepped forward and donated time,
talent or funds to help with keeping Franklin a great place to call
home.
STORM SIREN: The United States Department of Agriculture Rural
Development has obligated grant funds to Franklin Community Council,
Inc. for the placement of a storm siren in the community of
Franklin. The grant will cover up to 35% of the cost.
The remaining cost will be covered by local donations which have been
received and the donation received from actor/director Paul
Newman. A dedication service will be planned after
placement of the siren.
COMMUNITY HALL: Work on the hall has begun
again. Projected completion date is mid
November. The hall board is putting together a
marketing plan to promote rentals of the hall.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE: The centennial is scheduled for
the weekend of June 23-24, 2007. Make plans now to plan your
family reunion at the same time. Any local residents are welcome
to submit a design for a logo for the centennial.
Several fund raising projects are underway.
Don’t forget about the endowment fund which has been established which
will allow an opportunity to leave a lasting tribute to the community.
Please keep FCCI in mind when leaving a memorial in lieu of flowers for
a deceased loved one. Tell your friends and relatives who no longer
live in Franklin about the endowment fund. This money will remain in a
managed fund and the interest will be used to maintain the properties
owned by FCCI (Hall, Park, Welcome Sign). Keep the spirit of Franklin
alive for years to come.
PLANNING AND LAND USE COMMITTEE: A very successful
“Community Work Day” was held Saturday, June 4. Approximately 20
volunteers donated their entire day to helping with projects within the
community. Among several different projects
completed that day was cleaning the portion of our historic sidewalk
that runs in front of the Community Park. It took a couple hours
of cleaning the dirt and grass but beneath it all was the original 3
foot wide sidewalk. Imagine if the entire community was able to do the
same. We are requesting that property owners who have
the sidewalk in front of their property on the east side of Broadway
Street also take pride in this historic sidewalk by cleaning off their
section. We also would greatly appreciate the property owners who
lost their homes and not returned to also either clean off the sidewalk
bordering their property or contact one of the Franklin Community
Council Directors to request assistance on this project. Perhaps
some more work days and we could have that sidewalk once again running
from the south edge of Franklin to the south edge of Arma.
Thanks to all who helped and made this a successful day. It is
difficult to mention every single person who either helped or donated
items but we appreciate everyone who has helped with the rebuilding of
Franklin.
PARK: The walking path will be laid as soon as weather permits.
The first order for the pavers was sent June 15. Additional
pavers can be ordered at any time. This will be an on-going
project.
Drainage problems at the area in front of the park are being
taken care of by the state. We appreciate their help on
this. They are also working to solve the flooding problem
on the west side of Highway 69 across from the park.
WELCOME SIGN: A concrete foundation is being placed and the sign will
be built soon
HERITAGE COMMITTEE: Thanks to all working on finding information on the
sidewalk. We still need to find the dates that the article
appeared in the newspaper regarding the Guinness Book of World
Records. We have also heard an article appeared in Life
Magazine. If anyone has any of this information please contact
Phyllis at 347-8387 or 249-9333. Finding this information is very
important to obtaining the listing on the historic register which will
in turn make funding available to the community.
WATER BOARD: New invoices should be ready for the June's billing
. Work has begun on water infrastructure improvements.
Completion is expected in 180 days. During the process of making
infrastructure improvements the water may be shut off for short periods
of time during the day and next few months. This is necessary to make
connections of new lines. Please be patient during this time.
Enclosed with your June water bill and Newsletter is the Annual
Consumer Confidence Report also known as CCR. This is a federally
mandated report that comes out prior to July 1st every year. The report
is designed to inform you about the water quality and services that
your water system provides to you. In the continuing efforts to
maintain a safe and dependable water supply it may be necessary to make
improvements in the water system. The costs of these improvements may
be reflected in the rate structure which at times may be necessary to
address these improvements. It is important that you our customers be
aware of our efforts that are made continually to improve this system.
To learn more, please attend any of the District's regularly scheduled
meetings on the second Sunday of each month at 6pm. Until our new Civic
Center is up and running, please contact any of the Board members for
locations or Veda Maxwell at 347-4747, she has an answering machine and
would be happy to return your calls.
RURAL WATER DISTRICT #7: Water bills are due ON OR BEFORE the
10th of each month, this does not mean postmarked the 10th but received
no later than the 10th. The late fee of 10% will be charged
on any and all payments received after the 10th. For those
of you who use the mail box in Franklin at the old Post Office
location, you may not be aware that your mail when picked up goes to
Mulberry and not the Arma Post Office, from Mulberry it goes to Fort
Scott and then gets forwarded to Arma… sometimes this could take 2 days.
DIRECTORS:
Robert Craig Stokes, 620-347-8519; Henry Ashbacher,620-347-4070; Veda
Maxwell, 620-347-4747; Tammy Wayman, 620-347-4829; Margaret Kennedy,
620-347-4358; Joe Cukjati, 620-347-4311; Norine Laird, 620-347-4453;
Frances O'Blak, 620-347-4312; Ray Hamblin, 620-347-4228