On Tuesday, May 18, more than one hundred area residents gathered to get updates on current and future activities of the Franklin County Patriots. Thomas Smith, one the organization founders, moderated the meeting. The agenda included a brief review of the objectives of the Franklin County Patriots and announcements of planned events, but the time was spent primarily on discussing the importance of citizens being active in coming elections.
The Franklin County Patriots is a non-partisan organization which does not endorse candidates. At least six candidates for local offices, both Republican and Democrat, were present at the meeting. In agreement with the standard policies of the patriotic group, the candidates were not allowed to speak to the crowd. They were introduced to the attendees and Mr. Smith encouraged those who were present to meet and get to know the candidates.
The Franklin County Patriots, as an organization of concerned citizens, continues to grow. A large number of those in attendance on May 18 were attending their first meeting and many of them registered to be active and involved in the future. The Franklin County Patriots is not affiliated with any other organizations of a similar nature, but reflects the kind of energy that is being seen in Tea Party/patriotic groups around the country. Future activities of the Franklin County Patriots include additional candidate forums where citizens are allowed to get to know their prospective elected officials, and a patriotic rally on Independence Day in St. Clair.
