It is a huge positive for Franklin residents that the Trails Committee received a Walking Workshop grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WISDOT). This grant will be used by the committee as a precursor to applying for the Safe Routes to School Program, which will connect students with their schools via other means than a car or minivan. A huge thank you to Alderwoman Kristen Wilhelm for bringing forward this grant, which will now benefit our community.
The committee's success is also commendable due to its relative "newness" in Franklin; the committee's first meeting was in October. Within just two months of kick-off, the committee has moved forward in great distances and is helping Franklin be a better place for residents to live, work, and play. Hopefully the continued success of this committee with their work on areas surrounding Pleasant View Elementary School and Franklin High School will open new doors for other schools to be looked at as well.
With all of that said, committee member John Michlig noted that there is still "dissent" coming from one member. Based on past observations by me, I can't help but think that the dissenter is none other than member Randy Ritter, who also sits on the Plan Commission. I've mentioned previously that the residents at this time do not need wrenches thrown into a project and committee like this one. The goal of working towards a positive result needs to continue, and it still confuses me as to why some instead promote the negatives.
As far as I'm concerned, the desire by residents to put Franklin First hasn't disappeared.
