On My Mind…An Awakening From a Reporter’s Lens and Perspective
Have you ever felt like you thought you knew someone…and then you really didn’t?
This is what many have expressed to me about David Fanale…people who knew him, and spent considerably more time with him than I have.
For me, he and his fiancee were people that I knew casually and honestly liked…people that I would see at fundraisers that I would cover, such as the one that I covered in the featured photo, as well Franklin Day last year. I really enjoyed speaking to them when I met up with them there. In fact, I spent time chatting with them at their booth at Franklin Day, and learned a bit from them about their line of work, and the impressive wealth of information, including their connections to working with animal sanctuaries. Mr. Fanale also introduced me to Mayor Crowley, and some of the groups in town. He really came across as liking his borough.
I was there the day that David was chosen in the primary at the Farmstead where other members of his party were waiting for results, and congratulated he and his fiancee.
And then, though I couldn’t make it to his swearing in, another journalist took his photo and I followed up with a story…
To learn what I have learned about him is disconcerting to me too. I actually feel sad about it.
To me, what it feels like is a loss of innocence, from someone you expected had you in their best interests…and then to learn they did not. It’s a feeling where you no longer feel safe.
I saw the pain in the hearts of Franklin residents at the council meeting where every person who spoke, asked for David Fanale to resign for his actions. I can’t imagine their feelings through this, which far outweigh mine, but I do know it’s been very traumatic for them.
Someone posted on my Facebook Page that this story is done…to the contrary, it’s only begun. Though Mr. Fanale will lose his prominence in the picture, the residents of Franklin will need to carry on. There is a mess that he left in the aftermath of his path of destruction. And the Borough of Franklin needs a new councilperson to fill his seat. Additionally, the borough needs to emotionally rebuild.
Mr. Fanale breezed out of the picture as erratically, and maybe even more so, than he breezed in…who knows what is next?
What is next for the Borough of Franklin is healing and picking up the pieces. There is also a unity, for those who have banded from Franklin and beyond, in support.
In the meantime, as can be seen from my video below, I have a unique seat and view in all of this…and I will continue to give you my perspective from my perspective.
On My Mind: Franklin is stronger than any adversity…this municipality and the friends of this municipality have shown this and I have captured this in what I’ve written…and I look forward to reporting on positive progress…
What do you think?
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