The newly-elected Mayor of Franklin Township, Dr. Phil Kramer , was sworn into office in a well-attended inauguration ceremony held at the Municipal building in Somerset, New Jersey, last Friday, New Year’s Day.
The hall was packed to capacity with senators, who included the famed former Newark Mayor , Hon. Cory Booker ; mayors, representatives of both the Democratic and Republican parties , distinguished personalities from different parts of the Continental USA and a galaxy of dignitaries , religious leaders and members of the public, who included a significant number of Sierra Leoneans, from New Jersey State.
MAYOR KRAMER IS INAUGURATED INTO OFFICE BY SENATOR CORY BOOKER : HE IS SEEN HERE TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE , SURROUNDED BY HIS FAMILY
U.S. SENATORS AND MAYORS APPLAUDING MINISTER KABS KANU WHILE DELIVERING HIS STATEMENT OFF HEAD
AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY AND SERVICE. U.S. SENATOR CORY BOOKER TAKES KABS-KANU’S IPAD FROM HIM AND OPTS TO SNAP HIM WHILE HE IS DELIVERING HIS STATEMENT
Senator Booker administered the oaths of office to Mayor Kramer, Councilwomen Kimberly Francois and Shanel Robinson and Councilman Rajiv Prasad. In a statement, Senator Booker described Local Government as the foundation of American democracy .He said that “We are hear to swear in ” men and women who have decided to fulfill one of the traditions of American spirit–service , based not money or fame, but service to the community.
Giving an impressive acceptance speech, Mayor Kramer believed that “We should strive to make Franklin great. We must choose our goals not because they are easy but because of what they will mean to Franklin.” Among his goals, the new Mayor mentioned the advancement of the school district , “Continued repaving roads at an accelerated rate, a greater reach of our recreation department, energy aggregation, health initiatives, consolidation where it is needed and expansion where it is useful. Cleaning up dilapidated properties and working to evaporate the abandon building inventory about town.”
A COMPOSITE PHOTO OF THE CROWD
ANOTHER VIEW OF THE CROWD
PART OF THE CROWD
One of the fascinating features of this grand ceremony was the participation of Sierra Leone. It must be recalled that the Sierra Leone community in Franklin Township came out in full to help campaign and vote for Mayor Kramer, a man who does not only have a good heart for Sierra Leone but played a leading role in alerting international attention to the fight against Ebola.
Three of the mayors’ main grassroots campaign helpers were Sierra Leoneans Messrs Foday Mansaray and Dauda Mansaray and Nigerian citizen, Mr. Charles Onyeajika, whose roles and the part played by the Sierra Leone community in his election victory the grateful mayor openly commended last Friday in his inauguration speech . He also expressed appreciation to President Koroma for the presence at the program of Sierra Leone’s Minister Plenipotentiary to the United Nations, Rev. Leeroy Wilfred Kabs-Kanu who represented the President.
MR. FODAY MANSARAY AND THE MAYOR
In a well-applauded statement, delivered extemporaneously ( Off-head, without paper ), Minister Pleniotentiary Kabs-Kanu, congratulated Mayor Kramer and other elected officials on behalf of His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma . He told the captive audience that due to the inspiring leadership of President Koroma, democracy now prevails in Sierra Leone also and the country has been holding free-and fair elections at Presidential, legislative and local council levels. The Minister Plenipotentiary thanked the United States , Mayor Kramer and officials of New Jersey for their roles in the fight against ebola. Amidst cheers, he told the gathering that Sierra Leone has been declared free from ebola by the WHO, also through the outstanding leadership of President Koroma and the help of the international community.
MR. DAUDA MANSARAY AND THE MAYOR
In an APC Whatsapp Forum discussion of the marvelous reception and commendation received by Sierra Leoneans at the Inauguration, Mr. Foday Mansaray said : “The efforts of the Sierra Leonean people and their impact in Franklin Township today has gone far beyond the corridors of the State and can be felt in the corridors of power in the county , the State capital and as far as Washington DC. I must commend all of my collegues ( Meers Dauda Mansaray and Charles Oneyjiaka )our democratic committee members and others who spent the past seventeen months mapping out this road map to victory. Personally, I want to take this opportunity to thank the President, His Excellency Dr Ernest Bai Koroma for his swift response to Mayor Kramer’s Invitation to grace yesterday’s inauguration ceremony and the victory celebrations slated for January 9th 2016 at the Holiday Inn on Davison Ave, Somerset New Jersey .”
MRS. HAWA YAINKAIN MANSARAY -IN RED- WIFE OF MR. DAUDA MANSARAY WITH THE MAYOR. ON THE LEFT IS MS. AGNES BANYA AND RIGHT MRS. ONYIAJIKA
MAYOR KRAMER HIMSELF DEMANDED THIS SPECIAL PICTURE WITH MESSRS FODAY MANSARAY, DAUDA MANSARAY AND CHARLES ONYIAJIKA
MINISTER KABS-KANU SPEAKING
Mr. Dauda Jawara Mansaray , for his part, thanked Sierra Leoneans for their participation and declared that they raised our nation to the highest.
The President of the APC-New Jersey Chapter, Mr. Alimamy Turay, one of the officials who also represented Sierra Leone, thanked the Rev. Kabs-Kanu, and Messrs Foday and Dauda Mansaray, “to name a few . Your assistance in promoting the interest of the Sierra Leone community in Franlin Township is recognized and appreciated .”
MAJOR KRAMER POSES WITH SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SIERRA LEONE AND NIGERIAN COMMUNITY AT THE PROGRAM
MR. ALIMAMY TURAY, PRESIDENT OF THE APC-NEW JERSEY CHAPTER, ENJOYS A JOKE WITH MR. FODAY MANSARAY DURING THE PRE-INAUGURATION BRUNCH HOSTED BY THE KRAMERS.
A remarkable example of public service and humility was demonstrated by Senator Cory Booker , who took Minister Kabs-Kanu’s IPAD from him and volunteered to take his pictures when he was called to the podium to speak. “I was humbled , but at the same time honored to have my photos taken by such a high-ranking U.S. official. It demonstrates that Senator Booker exemplifies the finest traditions of the American spirit–humility and public service”, said Kabs-Kanu.
MAYOR KRAMER AND HIS WIFE DURING THE PRE-INAUGURATION BRUNCH
As for Mayor Kramer, he validated the popular support he is enjoying from Sierra Leone by thanking President Koroma for the presence of his citizens at his inauguration.
THE SIERRA LEONE COMMUNITY IN NEW JERSEY will be rocking the state on Saturday January 9 with a huge victory celebration and dance .
