To whom it may concern:

In reply to the TIMES NEWS article concerning the Franklin Lions Festival of Lights the Franklin Lions would like to enlighten the public on a few items.First of all the lights are an asset of the Franklin Township Lions Club. The Board of Directors along with its members decides what it should do or not do with those assets or any other assets it is in control of. Just as the various PTO's or any other nonprofit control their assets we control ours.We find it very hard to believe that certain people have a problem with our commitment to Franklin Township. We don't know of any other group who does more. We handle most of the maintenance of the Phifer Ice Dam. We also put up a pavilion along with a new garage at Phifer Ice Dam.We also give thousands of dollars to the Franklin Fire Company, Trinity Food Bank, Lehighton Library, Franklin Elementary School, Franklin Township Police Department and Lehighton School District for scholarships every year just to mention a few.Because some people don't agree with how much work we do or what we do, these same people, without coming and talking to us, feel that they should form a "coalition' and divide the profit at the Festival of Lights.As for all of the people mentioned in the article of December 19, 2013, how many of you volunteered to help at the 2012 Festival of Lights.Finally, the Franklin Lions purchased all of the appliances, tables and equipment for the kitchen at Phifer Ice Dam. Anyone can rent the pavilion and kitchen when it is not in use. However, the Franklin Lions has a PA Food License for the kitchen and is the only group who can sell food from the kitchen.The Franklin Township Board of Directors and all of its members