LETTER: My Award of Merit for Outstanding Civic Service

By James C. Johnston Jr.

I
think that the four members not returned to The Franklin Town Council
are most deserving of recognition for their public service to
Franklin, Mass. Thomas Mercer, Deborah Pellegri, Glen Jones, and
Patrick Sheridan gave a substantial part of their lives to service to
Franklin without thought of monitory compensation, selfishness, or
any sort of personal aggrandizement. These four individuals, as well
as those who served and did not seek reelection to The Council are
most worthy of our praise as are the two serving councilors who were
returned to the Council by the citizens of Franklin.

These
four individuals were not reelected because of any malefactions, but
they were not re-elected because there is a feeling in a free-society
that sometimes change is a desirable thing. No opprobrium should be
attached to the quality of their outstanding service to this
community rendered by these four members of the Council who were not
returned to office. These candidates for reelection actually polled
rather well, and in some previous elections the votes that they did
receive would have reelected them by very respectable margins. These
four defeated councilors are most worthy individuals who gave so much
of themselves in service to Franklin in a manner that reflects both
pride for the outstanding quality of their service, and the
substantial gift of the donation of their time for the great cause of
community service. Mere money cannot buy such high quality of freely
given service and devotion. Tom Mercer, Debbie Pellegri, Glen Jones,
and lastly, and hardly last or least, Pat Sheridan should be honored
for their community devotion.

Tom
Mercer, who is a proud native-born citizen of Franklin, has always
been involved in the life of this community going back to his school
days. His love for Franklin was constantly demonstrated by the fact
that he was everywhere where “Things both Civic and Cultural”
were going on and happening. Tom was also an approachable guy that
anybody could talk to. He was always a straight shooter who freely
expressed what he thought in a manner that was also extremely
thoughtful. Tom is a guy who gave of his time unstintingly to his
community and should be appreciated for the fine quality of his
public service.

About
Debbie Pellegri, what can I say? This Lady has thrown herself into
every situation that needed promotion to improve life in this
Franklin Community. The wonderful park-like areas of this town, like
the Franklin Statue and mini-park at the Franklin Public Library, own
their very existence to the Herculean efforts of Debbie Pellegri. She
has sponsored historic memorials all over town. Debbie has organized
the Franklin Fourth of July celebration, originally with Lorraine
Droughty, Jean Cataldo, and a substantial number of enthusiastic
citizens which she recruited to bring about this huge town-wide
celebration.

Debby
has sponsored building support groups for such worthy projects as our
Franklin Historic Museum, and so many more good works that I would be
hard pressed to list them all. Debbie was an innovative Town Clerk
serving the community for longer that I can remember. Debbie
organized perfectly run office and elections that were fair and
untouched by scandal. A book, a definitive biography would be
required to list all of the accomplishments of this outstanding
citizen of Franklin.

Debbie
was also unafraid to speak truth to power. During her tenure in
office some elected office holders actually relocated their primary
residences outside of the Franklin town boundaries. These were very
popular and powerful individuals, but Debbie called then out and
forced their resignations from elective office, because they were in
violation of the statutes which defined their lack of residential
qualifications to hold off in Franklin. She survived this bold
challenge to be reelected to office many times. Her actions in this
case were heroic.

Debbie’s
promotion of The Franklin Historical Museum, along with many really
dedicated volunteers brought this wonderful place into existence.
Debbie and I have butted heads from time-to-time, but Debbie’s
integrity and courage place her in a class uniquely her own, and I
have the most profound respect for her.

These
four individuals who were not returned to Public service: Tom,
Debbie, Glen, and Pat constitute a great asset and resource in, for,
and to this community. They are human treasures of great civic value
which constitutes something quite tangible. If you see any of these
guys out in public, thank them for their service. They deserve our
recognition and our gratitude. They deserve an Award of Merit for
Outstanding Public Service.