Franklin Today

School Board race, upgraded facilities could be decided on trust issues

As this year's Franklin School Board election moves along, last year's passions and perspectives on school issues still linger. Will it be significant enough to influence the vote? This all could rest upon one issue - the likability of the school district’s administration.

A post-primary message from Don Schwartz

Yesterday I received a message from Hales Corners Village Trustee Don Schwartz regarding his thoughts on the primary results. As you know, Schwartz did not make it past the primary for 9th District County Supervisor, which now is a race between Franklin CCP Steve Taylor and Oak Creek Alderman Ken Gehl. I asked permission and received it to post the message on here, given that Schwartz did receive many votes and support, despite the loss.

A Taylor-made victory in the primary

With the School Board race down to four, now we turn to the final two candidates in the running for 9th District County Supervisor. Tuesday's vote showed one clear message - that people are really liking the message and personality of Franklin's Common Council President, Steve Taylor. Taylor won handily in Franklin and Oak Creek, and took second place to Don Schwartz in Hales Corners. Overall, Taylor received 46% of the vote compared to 29% and 25% for his rivals, Oak Creek Alderman Ken Gehl and Hales Corners Village Trustee Don Schwartz. Such a strong showing for Taylor, especially in Oak Creek, could have Gehl as his remaining challenger a bit nervous.

Bialk, Works knocked off after primary results

The Franklin School Board primary is over, and two candidates are out. Incumbent Board Member Judith Bialk and former School Board Member David Works, who lost his seat on the Board in 2011, will not be moving forward to the general election in April. The top vote-getters were Incumbent Board Member Janet Evans, Donald Petre, Aimee Schlueter and John Thompson. Those will be the folks looking for your vote over the next month and a half.

Bloggers depart from Schwartz days before primary

I have to say, while watching the primary for the 9th County Supervisory District unfold, the story with Hales Corners Village Trustee Don Schwartz's candidacy was an interesting one. In the beginning, the race was just three candidates - Schwartz, Franklin's CCP Steve Taylor, and Oak Creek Alderman Ken Gehl. It looked to be quite a dull primary, with all of them discussing the same issues, and sharing the same opinions. It was Franklin's conservative bloggers that broke the wall down last month and started talking up Schwartz when my interest in the race grew.