September 29, 2024 • 24 mins
A motivating story about a woman breaking barriers and overcoming challenges to run for city council. Laura Franklin shares her passion for service, the importance of representation, and her grassroots campaign strategy. Join Dr. William T. Choctaw, MD, JD for the conversation.
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(00:00):
Coming up on this episode of theHealthy, Wealthy and Wise podcast.
Because in my campaigning, I havelearned that I've talked to someone
that is young as 20, as old as 97.
And oftentimes, um, they don't knowwhat's going on and how, why did
we spend so much money on this?
(00:23):
Welcome to the Healthy, Wealthy,and Wise podcast with Dr.
William T.
Choctaw, MD, JD.
This podcast will provide you withtools and actionable information
you can use to help live a morehealthy, wealthy, and wise life.
It's powered by the over 50 yearsof medical experience of this Yale
University Medical School trainedsurgeon, who is also a Western
(00:45):
State Law School trained attorneywith executive experience being a.
Walnut, California, as well as thecurrent chairman of the nonprofit
Servants Arms and as president ofChoctaw Medical Group, Incorporated.
This is the LeadershipMasterclass Edition.
(01:06):
Already in progress.
What are the things that we like with our
healthy, wealth and wise podcast isthat we like to have leaders within the
community who are doing stuff and they'redoing stuff that we should all know about.
And, and indeed, a lot of thethings that they're doing impact us.
And many times can beexamples for us to follow.
(01:26):
And so we're very delighted to have Ms.
Laura Franklin with us.
Um, and this is her first timebeing on our Leadership Masterclass,
Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise podcast.
So welcome, Laura.
Thank you.
Thank you for having me.
I'm glad to be here.
We're absolutely delighted to have youwith us today So so laura, why don't you
(01:47):
tell us a little bit about yourselvesintroduce yourself to our audience?
Well, hello everyone As dr.
Choctaw said my name is laura franklin.
And yes, i'm running for city council inmy in my neighborhood and I grew up the
youngest of nine children, single mom.
(02:09):
Service to others hasalways been in my DNA.
I just didn't know it.
Okay.
That's a good thing.
By watching my mother and mygrandmother, my aunts, also my uncles
and my grandfather, you know, peoplelike that and people in my church.
And so I just, grew upwith that in my heart.
And I'm the youngest of nine, as Isaid, and I have grandchildren as well.
(02:30):
I have four grandchildren,
which
is really nice.
And it really is true that as PastorMcCall used to say, you know, if you'd
have known they would be this muchfun, you would have had them first.
I do understand.
But yeah, I just, youknow, I try to work hard.
But yeah, I just, I really like servingother folks, you know, sometimes I do, you
(02:53):
know, don't serve myself as I should, but
it
all comes back full circle when folksbless you because you've blessed them.
Yes.
Yes.
What goes around comes around.
Exactly.
Absolutely.
So, so tell us aboutthis Baldwin Park thing.
You, you decided to run for city council.
I must admit that if one were to pull ahundred resumes running for a city council
(03:17):
probably would not be in the top 20.
So, so how did you decide to do this?
That's a great question.
So doc, I've served as theonly housing commissioner here
in Baldwin Park Since 2022.
And this is Ballard Park, California.
Yes, I'm sorry.
(03:37):
Because we have an internationalaudience and I just want to make
sure they know what ball and park is.
Okay, go ahead.
Thank you.
And so being a housing commissioner,the reason I got into it because
I've been working in housing forOr living in housing, affordable
housing for about 25 years.
I raised my kid in affordable housing.
And so once that position came available,I was during the pandemic and I really
(04:00):
wanted to give back to my community.
Cause that's what I wasraised to do and applied.
And I just said, you know, and Idid that for two and a half years,
but housing commissioners reallydon't get to do a lot, meaning.
We do work under housing directorsand at the, I guess you could say at
the asking of the city council, butbecause it's me, I didn't really get,
(04:22):
I wasn't doing much, but I was pushingthe leaders to, Hey, let's do something.
Let's recruit.
And then as you know, as so manydifferent things happen and not just
our community, but throughout thepandemic and since the pandemic.
I realize I need a better seatat the table, and I need to be
part of the decision making.
And, uh, with Ballman Park, in BallmanPark, California, our, our brand,
(04:44):
if you will, that was given to us isthe hub of the San Gabriel Valley.
And so, and it's my thought that,well, the hub needs to, the leadership
of the hub needs to reflect the hub.
Right now it does not, it is one sidedand that needs to change and you need, I
need, I want to be a part of the decisionmaking also the, the financial, all
(05:05):
of that to helping the building of it.
But, um, And that's the better seat.
So that's why I'm running.
That's one of the reasons I'm running.
Okay.
Okay.
That makes perfect sense.
That makes perfect sense.
I, I, I think many times, and we alllive in cities in one form or another,
but I, I just think it is laudatory.
Well, individuals certainly as youngas yourself to say, you know what?
(05:28):
I want to do more.
I can do more and to be willingto walk that talk and actually go
through the process of going to themeetings, learning the issues, and then
deciding what's the best fit for you.
How large is Baldwin Park, roughly?
Oh my goodness.
Population.
I
don't know about its homeless mileagebut I could say since I've been
(05:49):
campaigning, I've learned that there'sover 21, 000 registered residents,
which I'm sure that number would begreater if everyone was registered.
Sure.
Every adult anyway, you know.
Got it, got it.
Okay, okay.
And so how, what, what isyour process for campaigning?
What's, what's the mechanism?
And in case there's a, I don't know,a 18 year old who's interested in
(06:10):
running, what advice would you give them?
Oh
God.
Great question.
Again, get involved slowly.
Oftentimes, folks want to justjump head first, not really
knowing what you're jumping into.
But if it has nothing to do with whatage or stage you're at physically, you
(06:31):
need to start off slow because If you'reinterested in just volunteering blood
banks, or when they do city events,parks and rec, they need volunteers, you
go there and say, Hey, how can I help?
And that's how you slowly getto know how your city moves.
I mean, libraries, I know a lotof people don't go to libraries.
But going to the library and finding outwhat do they need, because librarians
(06:53):
aren't what they used to be as we werelittle kids, you know, so definitely
involved into something really great.
And that's how you just start gettingmore involved with different things
and you start talking to city leaders.
Every resident of any community shouldbe able to go on that website for that
city or that community and find out whoyour leaders are and you can send them
(07:15):
an email, you know, and some of the, andtheir office numbers, all of that stuff
is there, at least it shouldn't be thereand just start asking those questions.
Okay, excellent.
What, what is the, the, roughly theracial make, make up of Baldwin Park?
So Baldwin Park is, I haven't checkedin about a year, but at that time
it was about 75 percent Hispanic,
(07:36):
11
percent African American.
And
that's percentage,that's level of study 86.
So that's 14 percent that's left asmy math is math and that is other.
So that could be, that's prettymuch Asian mixed races or Caucasian.
Okay.
Okay.
All right.
And you're African American?
Yes.
Okay.
(07:56):
I'm
so sorry.
It's okay.
It's
all
right.
That's fine.
What, say, top two or three things doyou want to accomplish as a member of the
City Council of Baldwin Park, California?
Great question again, but let me,before I answer that, I just want
to say I'm not running becauseI'm an African American woman.
(08:19):
I mean, I think people understandthat because that's too obvious.
Good point.
Good point.
But I guess you'd say my top twothings is really transparency,
you know, financial transparency.
Okay.
Because in my campaigning, I have learnedthat I've talked to someone that is young
as 20, as old as 97, and oftentimes,um, they don't know what's going on and
(08:44):
why did we spend so much money on them.
This, that or the other, and I always tryto encourage them, get involved again, go
to the city council meeting, the fiscaltransfer, the financial transparency,
you know, that's a big deal in this city.
It's a big deal in any city, butthat's one of my main things.
And then also trying to bridge the gap.
(09:06):
There is a huge generational gap inBaldwin Park within the leadership.
as well as in the city.
And by that, I mean, just like I said,I spoke to a 20 year old who is not
even registered to vote yet, but he'sgoing to now that I've been at his door
and talking to him, the 97 year old whohas been there over 50 years and she
(09:27):
has never met one person in leadership.
Not saying that anyone is at fault.
It's just that sometimes yourleadership, depending on their age
and stage and maturity, they mayonly focus on one age group dynamic.
Like you have a, we do have a youngmayor and this is not accusatory,
but we do have a young mayor.
(09:48):
And so he may not.
Think off that.
Maybe I do need to reach out to the 90year olds who actually put the work in
sure to build a city.
Yeah, to
build a city.
And so it's easy to forget, right?
Because that's not always in yourcircle of people that you visit.
And then what happens with theyounger groups, they either
don't want to reach up to them.
(10:09):
The grown and then the older onessometimes feel like what the young ones
don't know what they're doing, but tobridge that gap is you need to reach out,
right?
Be intentional, have events thatcircle around the whole community
instead of eating just a few that,you know, or your, your demographic
exactly.
Uh, and that makes sense because a lotof times, to your point, uh, we can have
(10:31):
our own little club or group within thecity that we're most comfortable with.
Correct.
Um, and so we cater to them, but yet we,we're not responsive to the entire city.
And when you're mayor or amember of the city council, you
represent everybody in your city,whether they voted for you or not.
Correct.
So that, that makes perfect sense in termsof, what types of services would you like
(10:53):
to see specifically improved in Baltimore?
You know, I, I have a heart for somany, but I would say the seniors.
Okay.
They're truly the ones who will putin the sweat equity for the city.
I mean, there are a few here, butI would like to see more because
oftentimes when seniors, Once theystart living alone because the
(11:16):
families have either moved away, eitherout of state or just too far away
to really
be there with them, they get lonely.
You know, I'd like to see some type ofoutreach service where you literally
Reach out to the seniors every quarter.
So that's something they can expect.
And they may say, well, that it coststoo much, but do you remember, I don't
(11:37):
want to give it any advertising, butthere was a system where you could call
200 people and leave a voice message andthey will go out to 200 phone numbers.
That type of stuff, because most seniors,depending on the age, a lot of them,
excuse me, not, maybe not most, theythey're not with the digital system.
They're not with the digital stuff.
(11:58):
They are by the old school, eitherpick up the phone, um, and some
things in the newspaper, whatever itis, you know, giving shout outs and
just really checking on our seniors.
Um, and I'm like, again, I'm notsaying that we're doing a bad job.
I would like to see more ofus really being intentional
about checking on our seniors.
And then I'm big on education as well.
(12:20):
I would like to see moreresources available directly
in Balma Park for children.
And youth who are on the spectrum, autism
spectrum,
and there's a, there's not much here.
And unfortunately, a lot of ourchildren are being diagnosed as
being on the autism spectrum.
And that could be anywhere from nonverbal,it could be ADHD, ADD, all of that.
(12:45):
And then if you wrap in society'sdepression and anxiety that
goes along with all of that.
And teaching them how to do coping skillsand learning how to be self sufficient.
I truly believe that'ssomething that our kids need.
In terms of the kids that areon the spectrum, do you have
mainstreaming in Balboa Park?
Yes, we do.
Okay, so they do have the mainstreaming.
(13:05):
Alright, good.
Do you have a seniorcenter in Balboa Park?
Is there like a place?
Yes, we do have one, yes.
Okay, okay.
It's kind of like, Like we liketo say like church work to 2080.
Right.
And that's, so that's what I'm saying.
There, there are a lot of seniors herein Bowen Park, but when we have senior
events, there can be a decent amount,but it definitely does not reflect
(13:28):
the percentage that we have here.
Okay, okay, because I know a number ofcommunities do that going back to your
original comments about keeping the scenesengaged or having something for them to do
Because as you mentioned many times theydon't have or may not have their family
around them and there's no question thatwith all the Stresses in that age range,
(13:51):
it's easy to get depressed and aloneand, and on and on and on type of thing.
And feel forgotten, too.
I was, during the pandemic, Iwas a caregiver, just because
I didn't like being home.
Uh huh, understood.
And one of my clientsactually, well, former clients,
actually lives in Bowen Park.
And that's how I found out.
The 97 year old that I spokeof, that's how I found out
(14:14):
about her feeling forgotten.
No one would bring her food boxes.
No, you know, her family was,again, because of her age,
family had to be real careful.
And she had one daughter and oneson who lived really far away.
And so I called in the food bank.
Not the one that our local churchserves, but I called another food
(14:34):
bank to find out if they could dropoff a box and I would sign off on it.
So she would have food.
And they said they couldn'tbring it because she had to make
the phone call and then she hadto come in and fill out forms.
So she doesn't drive, which
is impractical as manytimes for a 97 year old.
Exactly.
So anyways, I did, we didfind a way to get her food.
(14:57):
from another source, but this particularsource was within our community, and
that's why I was like we need to reallybe intentional not to forget them.
Sure.
So.
And, and elder care is certainly animportant area, uh, as are others,
uh, but with all the baby boomerscertainly entering that whole elder
care area, and, and, and I'm a partof those baby boomers, and we're
(15:18):
supposed to be the largest generationpost World War II to enter this stage.
There's a lot of need.
There's definitely a lotof need, and certainly.
than than before.
But what are the reactions of others,your friends, colleagues, family to when
they find out that you're running fora political office or a city council?
(15:39):
And you know, it's been mixed.
The reactions have been mixed.
Most of them are encouraging.
There are some that are.
There are some thatwant to know, like, why?
What
are you doing?
What are you running for?
And I hadn't decided to rununtil February of this year.
And I got that, if not you, then who?
(16:00):
Right, if
not now, when?
What did he say to Ruth?
Such a time as this.
All of that kept Just resonating with meeverywhere, and then I've had some that
were really excited and very encouragingabout you're the perfect person.
Oh, they need to have you onthere, you know, but I won't
park would be so fortunate.
(16:21):
So I take it all though.
I take the good with the bad.
Yes.
And I just pray over itand let it do what it do.
I don't.
It's like with anything, youknow, when I was a teenager.
I used to work in a factory.
I'm also a former factory worker.
That was my first job.
And, excuse me, I remember we worked,me and my mom and my sister and
(16:41):
brother worked in this place together.
And I started off again at the basicjob, but I wanted to do more because
I've always liked challenging stuff.
Right.
And so there was a timewhere I got to bid for a job.
You know, they put the listing upwhen a new job posting comes up
and you put your name on the listand you get it by seniority, right?
They'll train you forwhatever it is you need.
(17:03):
And I remember when I won that bid, Iwould be running a hot aluminum press.
And it's like, Play doh isbasically like a giant play doh
machine except it's hot aluminum.
Right.
And from the end to thebeginning, it's probably 150 feet.
This machine, these tables, and I haveto, with both my hands, guide this,
cut this with a torch, the whole nine.
(17:24):
And I remember they had bets on me that Iwould not make it past the first 90 days.
Really?
And of course I did.
Right.
And I became the first femaleOperator in that company, in
the history of that company.
And I remember
my mom coming over.
Cause like I said, she worked in thesame place and she was on her break and
she came over, she's looking across atme and I'm cutting while she's talking,
(17:49):
this hot aluminum is keep coming.
You can't stop it.
And she just said, my baby.
And I said, mama, I'm okay.
Uh huh.
I'm okay.
And she said, okay.
And then she went onback to her department.
I kept running my, my aluminum whenwe were done, I went over there to
see her and I gave her a hug becauseshe was afraid for me more than, well,
(18:11):
maybe she's, you know, cause she'sa woman and I took her down again.
She's of a different generation,but once I, once I did that, she
never told me again that therewas nothing I could not do.
Same thing with even city council now.
Um, I know I can do it.
Sure.
I know that I can do it.
I have no doubts.
That's why when, even if some arejust kind of scared for me and
(18:34):
then why at this age, why so late?
You know, this is things you wanna startdoing when you're 25, 30 . I said, but no,
everybody has a calling for something to
That's right.
Maybe it was supposed to happena while ago, I don't know.
Right.
But the, what the time is now.
Right.
It is what it is right
now, so.
Exactly.
And I accept that
so.
I always think about this quote by Gandhi,which says be the change you want to
(18:57):
see in the world, you know If there's ifthere's something that you think Should
be in the world and to improve thingsyou do that Instead of looking around
to see else who else is going to do it
And that's how I used to be and somethings I still get like that depending
on what this Because I do know someof my limits but you know, it's It
doesn't make sense for me to sitaround, you know, and as they say,
(19:20):
representation matters really does.
And I'm not necessarily saying for somelittle girl who may see, but yeah, it
could be a full of the girl, little boy.
It could be for anybody to say,well, shoot, if she can do it at
the stage she's in, I can surelydo it at 20, 25, 30 or whatever.
And as you know, and now,you know, a lot of my health
(19:40):
history and different things and
Mm hmm.
Mm hmm.
Yes, time.
What would you say is the mostdifficult part of campaigning for
a city council involved in parking?
What would you say is the easiest partabout campaigning for a city council?
Or most enjoyable?
(20:01):
So I would say the hardest partis my method is grassroots, right?
So door to
door,
the door to door, because there's a lotof walking, there's not a lot of financial
assistance in grassroots, but it's notso, I believe that my efforts will be
rewarded in some kind of way and allthat other stuff will be taken care of.
(20:22):
Okay.
And so far it has been.
Okay.
And, uh, so that's what I like.
That's, I mean, that's the hardest partof the campaigning and, you know, getting
the root, getting the folks together andhitting different places in Baldwin Park.
And some of us are walking, someof us are riding, but nonetheless,
it's every weekend we're, youknow, hitting the ground running.
But the easiest part, I thinkfor me, and my favorite part is
(20:46):
really just talking to the people.
Yeah.
Okay.
It's, it's interesting.
The conversations that I've had aboutthe leadership and just the city itself,
what people, some people want, what theydon't want, but you know, that's politics.
That's politics anywhere.
Not just because of city council,that's work politics, that's
household politics, that's everywhere.
(21:08):
But it's just nice to talk to them andthey've appreciated that I'm actually
out and about in the neighborhood.
Again, going back to what Isaid before, a lot of them don't
know who the leadership is.
And it's interesting, I, as you weretalking, I hear people, some people
say, Oh, you know, I don't, I don't,I don't get into that politics stuff.
I just leave this stuff.
People is politics.
(21:28):
I mean, that, you know, if, if, ifyou're around people that there's some
political aspect to that, you know,however large or small, but it's basically
dealing with people's Sort of lack ofinterest and what their needs are, what
their wants are, and how that interactswith your needs and your interests and
what, what you are trying to get done.
And, and that's basically what leadersdo, you know, leaders don't wait
(21:50):
for somebody else to do it for them.
They just get out and do it themselves.
Yeah.
And, and running for local electedofficial position is difficult.
It's challenging because theytend to be closed systems, you
know, everybody knows everybodyelse, at least at certain levels.
And so you are trying to break into that.
So we can't, we can't do that.
Uh huh.
And many times for a number ofindividuals on average it takes
(22:13):
two or three times running for
the
same position.
But each time you get better andyou get better and you get better
and then voila, you pop through.
So I, I, I think that's, Ithink that's, that's terrific.
So if, in terms of individualswho are listening to you
now, how can they help you?
Well, I'm a praying woman, soprayer, that's always a good, that's
(22:34):
always a something that can be used.
Donations, if they're able to donate.
And where would they send the donations?
Oh, they can send it,
I don't know,
they can, I was trying
to remember the donations.
They can
send
it via Zelle at L A U R A.
(22:54):
A N N Franklin 919 at gmail.
com and just make sure to put on the linebefore you send it campaign donation.
Okay.
Why don't you give us that again?
Okay.
And I know it's pretty long.
That's
okay.
You can send them anydonations to L A U R A.
(23:16):
A N N Franklin, F R AN K L I N 919 at gmail.
com.
Laura Anne Franklin 919 at gmail.
com.
Okay,
at
gmail.
com.
Okay, good, good, good.
Thank you for listening to the Healthy,Wealthy, and Wise podcast with Dr.
William T.
(23:36):
Choctaw, MD, JD.
You can listen again to this andany of the previous episodes.
Leave a comment or pose questionsto the doctor by going to www.
thwwp.
com.
That's www.
thwwp.
com and you've got it.
(23:57):
It's also available whereveryou get your podcasts.
Be sure to follow, like,share, and subscribe.
If you haven't already, then tune infor the next episode of the healthy,
wealthy, and wise podcast with Dr.
William T.
Choctaw, MD, JD, a production ofchange makers communications, LLC.
Coming up on this episode of theHealthy, Wealthy and Wise podcast.
Because in my campaigning, I havelearned that I've talked to someone
that is young as 20, as old as 97.
And oftentimes, um, they don't knowwhat's going on and how, why did
we spend so much money on this?
(00:23):
Welcome to the Healthy, Wealthy,and Wise podcast with Dr.
William T.
Choctaw, MD, JD.
This podcast will provide you withtools and actionable information
you can use to help live a morehealthy, wealthy, and wise life.
It's powered by the over 50 yearsof medical experience of this Yale
University Medical School trainedsurgeon, who is also a Western
(00:45):
State Law School trained attorneywith executive experience being a.
Walnut, California, as well as thecurrent chairman of the nonprofit
Servants Arms and as president ofChoctaw Medical Group, Incorporated.
This is the LeadershipMasterclass Edition.
(01:06):
Already in progress.
What are the things that we like with our
healthy, wealth and wise podcast isthat we like to have leaders within the
community who are doing stuff and they'redoing stuff that we should all know about.
And, and indeed, a lot of thethings that they're doing impact us.
And many times can beexamples for us to follow.
(01:26):
And so we're very delighted to have Ms.
Laura Franklin with us.
Um, and this is her first timebeing on our Leadership Masterclass,
Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise podcast.
So welcome, Laura.
Thank you.
Thank you for having me.
I'm glad to be here.
We're absolutely delighted to have youwith us today So so laura, why don't you
(01:47):
tell us a little bit about yourselvesintroduce yourself to our audience?
Well, hello everyone As dr.
Choctaw said my name is laura franklin.
And yes, i'm running for city council inmy in my neighborhood and I grew up the
youngest of nine children, single mom.
(02:09):
Service to others hasalways been in my DNA.
I just didn't know it.
Okay.
That's a good thing.
By watching my mother and mygrandmother, my aunts, also my uncles
and my grandfather, you know, peoplelike that and people in my church.
And so I just, grew upwith that in my heart.
And I'm the youngest of nine, as Isaid, and I have grandchildren as well.
(02:30):
I have four grandchildren,
which
is really nice.
And it really is true that as PastorMcCall used to say, you know, if you'd
have known they would be this muchfun, you would have had them first.
I do understand.
But yeah, I just, youknow, I try to work hard.
But yeah, I just, I really like servingother folks, you know, sometimes I do, you
(02:53):
know, don't serve myself as I should, but
it
all comes back full circle when folksbless you because you've blessed them.
Yes.
Yes.
What goes around comes around.
Exactly.
Absolutely.
So, so tell us aboutthis Baldwin Park thing.
You, you decided to run for city council.
I must admit that if one were to pull ahundred resumes running for a city council
(03:17):
probably would not be in the top 20.
So, so how did you decide to do this?
That's a great question.
So doc, I've served as theonly housing commissioner here
in Baldwin Park Since 2022.
And this is Ballard Park, California.
Yes, I'm sorry.
(03:37):
Because we have an internationalaudience and I just want to make
sure they know what ball and park is.
Okay, go ahead.
Thank you.
And so being a housing commissioner,the reason I got into it because
I've been working in housing forOr living in housing, affordable
housing for about 25 years.
I raised my kid in affordable housing.
And so once that position came available,I was during the pandemic and I really
(04:00):
wanted to give back to my community.
Cause that's what I wasraised to do and applied.
And I just said, you know, and Idid that for two and a half years,
but housing commissioners reallydon't get to do a lot, meaning.
We do work under housing directorsand at the, I guess you could say at
the asking of the city council, butbecause it's me, I didn't really get,
(04:22):
I wasn't doing much, but I was pushingthe leaders to, Hey, let's do something.
Let's recruit.
And then as you know, as so manydifferent things happen and not just
our community, but throughout thepandemic and since the pandemic.
I realize I need a better seatat the table, and I need to be
part of the decision making.
And, uh, with Ballman Park, in BallmanPark, California, our, our brand,
(04:44):
if you will, that was given to us isthe hub of the San Gabriel Valley.
And so, and it's my thought that,well, the hub needs to, the leadership
of the hub needs to reflect the hub.
Right now it does not, it is one sidedand that needs to change and you need, I
need, I want to be a part of the decisionmaking also the, the financial, all
(05:05):
of that to helping the building of it.
But, um, And that's the better seat.
So that's why I'm running.
That's one of the reasons I'm running.
Okay.
Okay.
That makes perfect sense.
That makes perfect sense.
I, I, I think many times, and we alllive in cities in one form or another,
but I, I just think it is laudatory.
Well, individuals certainly as youngas yourself to say, you know what?
(05:28):
I want to do more.
I can do more and to be willingto walk that talk and actually go
through the process of going to themeetings, learning the issues, and then
deciding what's the best fit for you.
How large is Baldwin Park, roughly?
Oh my goodness.
Population.
I
don't know about its homeless mileagebut I could say since I've been
(05:49):
campaigning, I've learned that there'sover 21, 000 registered residents,
which I'm sure that number would begreater if everyone was registered.
Sure.
Every adult anyway, you know.
Got it, got it.
Okay, okay.
And so how, what, what isyour process for campaigning?
What's, what's the mechanism?
And in case there's a, I don't know,a 18 year old who's interested in
(06:10):
running, what advice would you give them?
Oh
God.
Great question.
Again, get involved slowly.
Oftentimes, folks want to justjump head first, not really
knowing what you're jumping into.
But if it has nothing to do with whatage or stage you're at physically, you
(06:31):
need to start off slow because If you'reinterested in just volunteering blood
banks, or when they do city events,parks and rec, they need volunteers, you
go there and say, Hey, how can I help?
And that's how you slowly getto know how your city moves.
I mean, libraries, I know a lotof people don't go to libraries.
But going to the library and finding outwhat do they need, because librarians
(06:53):
aren't what they used to be as we werelittle kids, you know, so definitely
involved into something really great.
And that's how you just start gettingmore involved with different things
and you start talking to city leaders.
Every resident of any community shouldbe able to go on that website for that
city or that community and find out whoyour leaders are and you can send them
(07:15):
an email, you know, and some of the, andtheir office numbers, all of that stuff
is there, at least it shouldn't be thereand just start asking those questions.
Okay, excellent.
What, what is the, the, roughly theracial make, make up of Baldwin Park?
So Baldwin Park is, I haven't checkedin about a year, but at that time
it was about 75 percent Hispanic,
(07:36):
11
percent African American.
And
that's percentage,that's level of study 86.
So that's 14 percent that's left asmy math is math and that is other.
So that could be, that's prettymuch Asian mixed races or Caucasian.
Okay.
Okay.
All right.
And you're African American?
Yes.
Okay.
(07:56):
I'm
so sorry.
It's okay.
It's
all
right.
That's fine.
What, say, top two or three things doyou want to accomplish as a member of the
City Council of Baldwin Park, California?
Great question again, but let me,before I answer that, I just want
to say I'm not running becauseI'm an African American woman.
(08:19):
I mean, I think people understandthat because that's too obvious.
Good point.
Good point.
But I guess you'd say my top twothings is really transparency,
you know, financial transparency.
Okay.
Because in my campaigning, I have learnedthat I've talked to someone that is young
as 20, as old as 97, and oftentimes,um, they don't know what's going on and
(08:44):
why did we spend so much money on them.
This, that or the other, and I always tryto encourage them, get involved again, go
to the city council meeting, the fiscaltransfer, the financial transparency,
you know, that's a big deal in this city.
It's a big deal in any city, butthat's one of my main things.
And then also trying to bridge the gap.
(09:06):
There is a huge generational gap inBaldwin Park within the leadership.
as well as in the city.
And by that, I mean, just like I said,I spoke to a 20 year old who is not
even registered to vote yet, but he'sgoing to now that I've been at his door
and talking to him, the 97 year old whohas been there over 50 years and she
(09:27):
has never met one person in leadership.
Not saying that anyone is at fault.
It's just that sometimes yourleadership, depending on their age
and stage and maturity, they mayonly focus on one age group dynamic.
Like you have a, we do have a youngmayor and this is not accusatory,
but we do have a young mayor.
(09:48):
And so he may not.
Think off that.
Maybe I do need to reach out to the 90year olds who actually put the work in
sure to build a city.
Yeah, to
build a city.
And so it's easy to forget, right?
Because that's not always in yourcircle of people that you visit.
And then what happens with theyounger groups, they either
don't want to reach up to them.
(10:09):
The grown and then the older onessometimes feel like what the young ones
don't know what they're doing, but tobridge that gap is you need to reach out,
right?
Be intentional, have events thatcircle around the whole community
instead of eating just a few that,you know, or your, your demographic
exactly.
Uh, and that makes sense because a lotof times, to your point, uh, we can have
(10:31):
our own little club or group within thecity that we're most comfortable with.
Correct.
Um, and so we cater to them, but yet we,we're not responsive to the entire city.
And when you're mayor or amember of the city council, you
represent everybody in your city,whether they voted for you or not.
Correct.
So that, that makes perfect sense in termsof, what types of services would you like
(10:53):
to see specifically improved in Baltimore?
You know, I, I have a heart for somany, but I would say the seniors.
Okay.
They're truly the ones who will putin the sweat equity for the city.
I mean, there are a few here, butI would like to see more because
oftentimes when seniors, Once theystart living alone because the
(11:16):
families have either moved away, eitherout of state or just too far away
to really
be there with them, they get lonely.
You know, I'd like to see some type ofoutreach service where you literally
Reach out to the seniors every quarter.
So that's something they can expect.
And they may say, well, that it coststoo much, but do you remember, I don't
(11:37):
want to give it any advertising, butthere was a system where you could call
200 people and leave a voice message andthey will go out to 200 phone numbers.
That type of stuff, because most seniors,depending on the age, a lot of them,
excuse me, not, maybe not most, theythey're not with the digital system.
They're not with the digital stuff.
(11:58):
They are by the old school, eitherpick up the phone, um, and some
things in the newspaper, whatever itis, you know, giving shout outs and
just really checking on our seniors.
Um, and I'm like, again, I'm notsaying that we're doing a bad job.
I would like to see more ofus really being intentional
about checking on our seniors.
And then I'm big on education as well.
(12:20):
I would like to see moreresources available directly
in Balma Park for children.
And youth who are on the spectrum, autism
spectrum,
and there's a, there's not much here.
And unfortunately, a lot of ourchildren are being diagnosed as
being on the autism spectrum.
And that could be anywhere from nonverbal,it could be ADHD, ADD, all of that.
(12:45):
And then if you wrap in society'sdepression and anxiety that
goes along with all of that.
And teaching them how to do coping skillsand learning how to be self sufficient.
I truly believe that'ssomething that our kids need.
In terms of the kids that areon the spectrum, do you have
mainstreaming in Balboa Park?
Yes, we do.
Okay, so they do have the mainstreaming.
(13:05):
Alright, good.
Do you have a seniorcenter in Balboa Park?
Is there like a place?
Yes, we do have one, yes.
Okay, okay.
It's kind of like, Like we liketo say like church work to 2080.
Right.
And that's, so that's what I'm saying.
There, there are a lot of seniors herein Bowen Park, but when we have senior
events, there can be a decent amount,but it definitely does not reflect
(13:28):
the percentage that we have here.
Okay, okay, because I know a number ofcommunities do that going back to your
original comments about keeping the scenesengaged or having something for them to do
Because as you mentioned many times theydon't have or may not have their family
around them and there's no question thatwith all the Stresses in that age range,
(13:51):
it's easy to get depressed and aloneand, and on and on and on type of thing.
And feel forgotten, too.
I was, during the pandemic, Iwas a caregiver, just because
I didn't like being home.
Uh huh, understood.
And one of my clientsactually, well, former clients,
actually lives in Bowen Park.
And that's how I found out.
The 97 year old that I spokeof, that's how I found out
(14:14):
about her feeling forgotten.
No one would bring her food boxes.
No, you know, her family was,again, because of her age,
family had to be real careful.
And she had one daughter and oneson who lived really far away.
And so I called in the food bank.
Not the one that our local churchserves, but I called another food
(14:34):
bank to find out if they could dropoff a box and I would sign off on it.
So she would have food.
And they said they couldn'tbring it because she had to make
the phone call and then she hadto come in and fill out forms.
So she doesn't drive, which
is impractical as manytimes for a 97 year old.
Exactly.
So anyways, I did, we didfind a way to get her food.
(14:57):
from another source, but this particularsource was within our community, and
that's why I was like we need to reallybe intentional not to forget them.
Sure.
So.
And, and elder care is certainly animportant area, uh, as are others,
uh, but with all the baby boomerscertainly entering that whole elder
care area, and, and, and I'm a partof those baby boomers, and we're
(15:18):
supposed to be the largest generationpost World War II to enter this stage.
There's a lot of need.
There's definitely a lotof need, and certainly.
than than before.
But what are the reactions of others,your friends, colleagues, family to when
they find out that you're running fora political office or a city council?
(15:39):
And you know, it's been mixed.
The reactions have been mixed.
Most of them are encouraging.
There are some that are.
There are some thatwant to know, like, why?
What
are you doing?
What are you running for?
And I hadn't decided to rununtil February of this year.
And I got that, if not you, then who?
(16:00):
Right, if
not now, when?
What did he say to Ruth?
Such a time as this.
All of that kept Just resonating with meeverywhere, and then I've had some that
were really excited and very encouragingabout you're the perfect person.
Oh, they need to have you onthere, you know, but I won't
park would be so fortunate.
(16:21):
So I take it all though.
I take the good with the bad.
Yes.
And I just pray over itand let it do what it do.
I don't.
It's like with anything, youknow, when I was a teenager.
I used to work in a factory.
I'm also a former factory worker.
That was my first job.
And, excuse me, I remember we worked,me and my mom and my sister and
(16:41):
brother worked in this place together.
And I started off again at the basicjob, but I wanted to do more because
I've always liked challenging stuff.
Right.
And so there was a timewhere I got to bid for a job.
You know, they put the listing upwhen a new job posting comes up
and you put your name on the listand you get it by seniority, right?
They'll train you forwhatever it is you need.
(17:03):
And I remember when I won that bid, Iwould be running a hot aluminum press.
And it's like, Play doh isbasically like a giant play doh
machine except it's hot aluminum.
Right.
And from the end to thebeginning, it's probably 150 feet.
This machine, these tables, and I haveto, with both my hands, guide this,
cut this with a torch, the whole nine.
(17:24):
And I remember they had bets on me that Iwould not make it past the first 90 days.
Really?
And of course I did.
Right.
And I became the first femaleOperator in that company, in
the history of that company.
And I remember
my mom coming over.
Cause like I said, she worked in thesame place and she was on her break and
she came over, she's looking across atme and I'm cutting while she's talking,
(17:49):
this hot aluminum is keep coming.
You can't stop it.
And she just said, my baby.
And I said, mama, I'm okay.
Uh huh.
I'm okay.
And she said, okay.
And then she went onback to her department.
I kept running my, my aluminum whenwe were done, I went over there to
see her and I gave her a hug becauseshe was afraid for me more than, well,
(18:11):
maybe she's, you know, cause she'sa woman and I took her down again.
She's of a different generation,but once I, once I did that, she
never told me again that therewas nothing I could not do.
Same thing with even city council now.
Um, I know I can do it.
Sure.
I know that I can do it.
I have no doubts.
That's why when, even if some arejust kind of scared for me and
(18:34):
then why at this age, why so late?
You know, this is things you wanna startdoing when you're 25, 30 . I said, but no,
everybody has a calling for something to
That's right.
Maybe it was supposed to happena while ago, I don't know.
Right.
But the, what the time is now.
Right.
It is what it is right
now, so.
Exactly.
And I accept that
so.
I always think about this quote by Gandhi,which says be the change you want to
(18:57):
see in the world, you know If there's ifthere's something that you think Should
be in the world and to improve thingsyou do that Instead of looking around
to see else who else is going to do it
And that's how I used to be and somethings I still get like that depending
on what this Because I do know someof my limits but you know, it's It
doesn't make sense for me to sitaround, you know, and as they say,
(19:20):
representation matters really does.
And I'm not necessarily saying for somelittle girl who may see, but yeah, it
could be a full of the girl, little boy.
It could be for anybody to say,well, shoot, if she can do it at
the stage she's in, I can surelydo it at 20, 25, 30 or whatever.
And as you know, and now,you know, a lot of my health
(19:40):
history and different things and
Mm hmm.
Mm hmm.
Yes, time.
What would you say is the mostdifficult part of campaigning for
a city council involved in parking?
What would you say is the easiest partabout campaigning for a city council?
Or most enjoyable?
(20:01):
So I would say the hardest partis my method is grassroots, right?
So door to
door,
the door to door, because there's a lotof walking, there's not a lot of financial
assistance in grassroots, but it's notso, I believe that my efforts will be
rewarded in some kind of way and allthat other stuff will be taken care of.
(20:22):
Okay.
And so far it has been.
Okay.
And, uh, so that's what I like.
That's, I mean, that's the hardest partof the campaigning and, you know, getting
the root, getting the folks together andhitting different places in Baldwin Park.
And some of us are walking, someof us are riding, but nonetheless,
it's every weekend we're, youknow, hitting the ground running.
But the easiest part, I thinkfor me, and my favorite part is
(20:46):
really just talking to the people.
Yeah.
Okay.
It's, it's interesting.
The conversations that I've had aboutthe leadership and just the city itself,
what people, some people want, what theydon't want, but you know, that's politics.
That's politics anywhere.
Not just because of city council,that's work politics, that's
household politics, that's everywhere.
(21:08):
But it's just nice to talk to them andthey've appreciated that I'm actually
out and about in the neighborhood.
Again, going back to what Isaid before, a lot of them don't
know who the leadership is.
And it's interesting, I, as you weretalking, I hear people, some people
say, Oh, you know, I don't, I don't,I don't get into that politics stuff.
I just leave this stuff.
People is politics.
(21:28):
I mean, that, you know, if, if, ifyou're around people that there's some
political aspect to that, you know,however large or small, but it's basically
dealing with people's Sort of lack ofinterest and what their needs are, what
their wants are, and how that interactswith your needs and your interests and
what, what you are trying to get done.
And, and that's basically what leadersdo, you know, leaders don't wait
(21:50):
for somebody else to do it for them.
They just get out and do it themselves.
Yeah.
And, and running for local electedofficial position is difficult.
It's challenging because theytend to be closed systems, you
know, everybody knows everybodyelse, at least at certain levels.
And so you are trying to break into that.
So we can't, we can't do that.
Uh huh.
And many times for a number ofindividuals on average it takes
(22:13):
two or three times running for
the
same position.
But each time you get better andyou get better and you get better
and then voila, you pop through.
So I, I, I think that's, Ithink that's, that's terrific.
So if, in terms of individualswho are listening to you
now, how can they help you?
Well, I'm a praying woman, soprayer, that's always a good, that's
(22:34):
always a something that can be used.
Donations, if they're able to donate.
And where would they send the donations?
Oh, they can send it,
I don't know,
they can, I was trying
to remember the donations.
They can
send
it via Zelle at L A U R A.
(22:54):
A N N Franklin 919 at gmail.
com and just make sure to put on the linebefore you send it campaign donation.
Okay.
Why don't you give us that again?
Okay.
And I know it's pretty long.
That's
okay.
You can send them anydonations to L A U R A.
(23:16):
A N N Franklin, F R AN K L I N 919 at gmail.
com.
Laura Anne Franklin 919 at gmail.
com.
Okay,
at
gmail.
com.
Okay, good, good, good.
Thank you for listening to the Healthy,Wealthy, and Wise podcast with Dr.
William T.
(23:36):
Choctaw, MD, JD.
You can listen again to this andany of the previous episodes.
Leave a comment or pose questionsto the doctor by going to www.
thwwp.
com.
That's www.
thwwp.
com and you've got it.
(23:57):
It's also available whereveryou get your podcasts.
Be sure to follow, like,share, and subscribe.
If you haven't already, then tune infor the next episode of the healthy,
wealthy, and wise podcast with Dr.
William T.
Choctaw, MD, JD, a production ofchange makers communications, LLC.
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