Franklin Today

Question from reader regarding Sohns resignations deserves answering

After yesterday's post about Alderman Lyle Sohns resigning his posts as aldermanic representative for the Board of Public Works and Environmental Commission, a reader sent me an e-mail and asked the question, "So why should Sohns continue to get any pay if he refuses to do all of his duties?"

Dave & Buster's comes to Milwaukee March 1st

While not located in Franklin, I'm sure Dave & Buster's will be a hit with many Franklin families. The Journal Sentinel reports they will open their new Wauwatosa location, near Mayfair Mall, on March 1st.

Alderman Sohns resigns from all boards and commissions

Earlier in the week, Alderman Lyle Sohns notified City Hall that he will be resigning from all his posts in various Franklin boards and commissions. This comes just weeks after he made the decision to not seek re-election for 5th District Alderman.

6 out of 8 ain't bad!

I received word of Mayor Taylor's pending nominations for the Mayoral Ad Hoc Development Process Review Committee (or if you like acronyms, MAHDPRC) from Common Council President Steve Taylor. With the nominations rattled off, it came out that I got 6 out of my 8 predictions right! The pending nominations are, as follows:

As our senior population continues to grow, are we ready for them?

Last night, United Financial Group came before the Environmental Commission to request a special exception to fill in a small portion of wetland for two proposed apartment complexes for senior citizens. Forest Hill Highlands, as the entire project is called, is expanding in Franklin with these two new structures. There are already four structures that are part of this complex, and there could be almost a half-dozen more once the expansions are complete.

FPS thinks out of the box, helps local businesses

In FHS Principal Mike Cady's Podcast I reposted yesterday, he mentioned a new incentive for seniors - if you get good grades, good attendance, and are in good behavior, you have what he coins as a "free period". During this period, which is of the seniors' choosing, they may do whatever they feel like doing, including leaving the FHS campus. The period last 86 minutes, and would only be available every other day for seniors, but that still has an impact here in Franklin.

An update on Jump Zone

Below are scanned images from the packet members of the Economic Development Commission received relating to Jump Zone's first Wisconsin location, which is in Franklin. The first one is the layout of the facility, including what inflatables and moonwalks will be present at this site. The second one is where it will be located in the Garden Plaza strip mall.

As you can see, Jump Zone will not be occupying the entire space left vacant by Pick n Save, but rather approximately one-third of it. Hopefully the partition Jump Zone creates will open the eyes of other prospective tenants to locate in Garden Plaza.

Former Pick n Save to be alive once more?

Tonight's Economic Development Commission agenda has some pretty good topics being discussed. From the task force to updates on 27th Street and the Trails Committee to new businesses moving into Franklin, the EDC, hopefully, will have a productive meeting.

The issue to be discussed in this post is the new business that could be coming to Franklin. The EDC agenda has down that Jump Zone could be taking over the vacant Pick n Save across from Menard's on Hwy 100. What is Jump Zone, you ask? Well, upon reviewing its website Jump Zone is a business that specializes on parties for little children, with various inflatables and moonwalks strewn across the open space within their location. They have locations in 20 states, with Wisconsin being the 21st via their first location statewide here in Franklin.

FHS Blockcast

Below is the Podcast recently done by FHS Principal Mike Cady. The entire Podcast is dedicated to answering parent concerns and questions relating to the upcoming block scheduling program, which is set to be implemented in the 10-11 school year.

FHS Blockcast

Mike Cady's Podcast

Common Council President calls for new committee on handling of developments

Tomorrow night's agenda includes the following letter from Common Council President (CCP) Steve Taylor, who represents the 4th Aldermanic District: