Political Parties: Bissanti Kick Off Honors the Fallen; Roy Event Brings Congressman, Other Supporters to Franklin

Friday night, Andrew Bissanti, a candidate for reelection to the Franklin Town Council, held a campaign kickoff dinner at the Franklin Elks on Pond Street. The lawn of the lodge was decorated with a flag honoring each victim of the 9/11 attacks.

The timing of the event was part of the event's message. Approximately 90 people attended the free event, which featured live music and brief “kickoff” remarks from Milford Selectman Paul Mazzuchelli, members of the Bissanti family, and other supporters. But the Friday night event also featured a somber reminder of the times we are in. The head table was “reserved” symbolically for the 13 American service members recently killed in Afghanistan.

Members of the Town Council and School Committee were also in attendance as well as new candidates aiming for election to both of those bodies. Bissanti recognized, in particular, Jane Callaway-Tripp, who recently made it onto the ballot for Nov. 2. He also recognized those, who helped organize the event.

The rhetoric was mostly focused on Bissanti’s strong community orientation and involvement in community groups. Bissanti, for his part, stressed the work ahead, including, he noted, better addressing homelessness in the area.

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Earlier in the week, there was another political event in town. Rep. Jeff Roy (D-Franklin) held his annual gathering at an outdoor event at LaCantina Winery on Wednesday to jumpstart his 2022 re-election bid for State Representative. According to Roy, about 120 people attended the event, which also doubled as a 60th birthday. Rep. Roy was joined by several House colleagues, Town Councilors, School Committee members, friends and family who were there to lend their support. The speakers included President Biden’s nominee for Ambassador to Ireland and House Majority Leader Claire Cronin, Congressman Jake Auchincloss, Town Council Chair Tom Mercer, Republican State Representative Mike Soter, SAFE Coalition co-founder Jen Levine, education advocate Dr. Michael Walker-Jones, and Attorney Mike Doherty. Each speaker touched upon their work with Rep. Roy on economic development, constituent services, substance use disorder, education, bipartisanship, "and other efforts designed to build a more perfect union," Roy noted.

(Below: two  images from  Bissanti event)