Christy (Goodhue) Mank: Franklin needs a mayor who values respect and unites city

To The Daily Sun,

I hope Franklin residents are paying close attention and will make their voices heard on Tuesday, Oct. 7. This election is about unity and the kind of leadership our community deserves.

As a longtime volunteer and a member of the Mill City Park board of directors, I’ve seen firsthand how our current mayor’s approach has divided neighbors. I’ve personally experienced harassment and online attacks, including false accusations made publicly. Unfortunately, I am not alone — other volunteers and staff from Mill City Park, the Franklin Opera House, and the Outing Club have faced similar treatment. Instead of fostering collaboration, this has created an atmosphere of intimidation and mistrust towards nonprofit organizations.

Our mayor has also contributed to costly conflict at City Hall, refusing opportunities for mediation (directed by city council) and pressuring our former city manager to resign in lieu of termination (including a large $100,000+ contract buyout). The financial burden of these disputes falls on Franklin taxpayers — money that could have been invested directly into our city’s future or just support our budget.

Bullying, intimidation, and harassment are not leadership qualities. Franklin needs a mayor who values respect, inclusion, and unity — someone who listens, builds bridges, and works with all residents for the good of the whole community.

That’s why I’m voting for Glenn Morrill, a calm, thoughtful listener and a steady voice of reason. Having worked for the City of Franklin for many years, he understands how collaboration keeps things moving in the right direction. He cares deeply about our schools, the quality of education for our students, and ensuring our community prospers while investing in needed capital improvements. His style is face-to-face, grounded in conversation and negotiation, which is exactly what Franklin needs right now.

This election may be one of the most pivotal days. 

Christy (Goodhue) Mank

Franklin