FRANKLIN
On Monday, the Franklin City Council recognized National Hospital Week and National Police Week.

To honor Southampton Memorial Hospital, the Franklin City Council declared the week of May 10-16 Hospital Week in the city, and encouraged residents to “express their appreciation for the people, facilities and technologies that make trustworthy, reliable health care possible in our community.”

The official theme is, “Where Miracles Happen Every Day.”

Following Citizens’ Time, council also honored the Franklin Police Department. The National Law Enforcement Peace Officers Memorial will be observed on Friday in Washington, D.C., for officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. As part of that celebration designated by then President John F. Kennedy, the week leading up to it is Police Week.

Cathy Whitt, wife of Franklin Police Department’s Capt. Tim Whitt, used the public forum to put out the word. She said that there is a lot of bad news about law enforcement in the news today.

Those officers are just a few bad apples, said Cathy Whitt, and that hopefully people do not believe all officers are bad. Most officers are good men and women who sacrifice for the greater good out of a sense of duty, she added.

“We need to thank our men and women in blue for all that they do and all that they sacrifice,” she said.

Mayor Raystine Johnson-Ashburn thanked Whitt for her comments, and she also looked to Capt. Whitt, who was present.

“Please take back to the entire department that we appreciate the service you all give us,” the mayor said. “You are dedicated; you are committed; and you do it well. The citizens of Franklin appreciate you.”