Franklin Today

4 of 6 candidates no-show for TEA Party forum

Yesterday, it was discussed on here that the Wisconsin GrandSons of Liberty was hosting a candidate forum for the 6 candidates running for 2 posts on the Franklin School Board that evening. It was also mentioned that the GrandSons of Liberty is, more or less, an organization that follows similar principles to that of the national TEA Party movement. This was important to mention due to what ended up transpiring last night. Out of the 6 candidates, only 2 attended the event and answered questions.

Aldermen look for 27th Street spending options while Mayor points out the unknown

Last week, the Common Council authorized staff to explore funding options for the city as they continue to make developing 27th Street a high priority. This continuation of spending comes at no surprise to some, given that the city has pumped in millions of dollars from a variety of public funding sources to this commercial corridor. When the spending began back in the 1990s, Franklin officials believed strongly that our neighbor to the east, Oak Creek, would be an equal partner sharing an equal high interest in seeing the corridor develop to its maximum extent. However, as years turned to decades Oak Creek's interest went from a nice high to perhaps an all-time low. This was evident as Mayor Taylor mentioned prior to the Council's vote that with a new mayoral administration in Oak Creek coming soon, their commitment to the corridor was up in the air.

6 candidates for School Board featured in tonight's forum

For those wishing to learn more about the candidates running for two seats on the Franklin School Board, tonight from 7-8:30pm, at the Root River Center on 74th & Rawson, the Wisconsin GrandSons of Liberty is hosting a forum for such a purpose. The GrandSons of Liberty is a Franklin-based organization which is also leading up efforts with the Verify the Recall initiative, with the intent of shedding light on how the recall process in Wisconsin has apparent flaws.

Bloggers unite behind Schwartz

Over the past few weeks, I've noticed a growing amount of support towards Don Schwartz for Milwaukee County Supervisor from Franklin bloggers. On FranklinNOW, Kevin Fischer discusses Schwartz (and only him) as an alternative solution when there's an opportunity to criticize one of Schwartz's opponents, Franklin Common Council President Steve Taylor. On his blog, Bryan Maersch displays a big banner that is similar to campaign ads on area news websites as well as a campaign website that supports Schwartz. I am curious to know if Schwartz's campaign paid for the spot or has any knowledge of its existence on Maersch's blog.

More public funds for 27th Street?

Tonight's Common Council agenda includes two development topics: the Crossroads intersection (Hwy 100 & Loomis) and the 27th Street Corridor. What stands out is how those two topics part ways in terms of priorities and vision.

Ryan Creek Sewer project under EPA review

On February 3rd, the Daily Reporter published an article (only available to subscribers) that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing Franklin's Ryan Creek Interceptor Sewer (RCI) project for the SW portions of the city. Several days prior to the article on the 3rd, the Daily Reporter also had an article stating that the RCI "conflicted" with the goals the federal government laid down for usage of Clean Water monies.

Environmental protections at issue for Forward Franklin EDC

At tonight's meeting, the Forward Franklin Economic Development Committee will be taking up the discussion on revisions to the city's Unified Development Ordinance "as it relates to environmental regulations which may hamper development." The primary environmental ordinance the city raises up on various occasions with developers is the Natural Resource Protection Plan (NRPP). The NRPP has drawn praise from residents wishing to keep Franklin more consicous of conservation and utilizing land better, but upsets developers time-to-time who want to develop more land at the potential expense of losing of the natural resources on their developing properties.

This discussion occurs at a time when the city is constructing the Ryan Creek Interceptor Sewer, which is geared to bring sewer to the southwestern portion of Franklin and easternmost Muskego. This sewer is being built despite strong objections from landowners and farmers in SW Franklin, which haven't faded into the sunset just yet. But again, developers are on the flip-side of this coin, and favor the newfound access of sewer. Developers and the majority of leadership on the Common Council view the sewer as essential to grow and develop the City of Franklin to its maximum ability.

It comes at no surprise then to see environmental regulations such as the NRPP being brought forward for the city's newly-formed economic development entity to review and potentially recommend changes that likely will ease restrictions for developers on environmentally-sensitive areas of the city. What this also has a side-effect on, though, is Common Council President Steve Taylor.

Halloween trick-or-treat time to be decided tonight

Every year, this issue for some reason or another becomes a hot topic at City Hall. This is due to some politicians, like Mayor Taylor, believing that more conformity in the trick-or-treat times throughout the Milwaukee metropolitan area will result in less crossover between communities. The matter became a hot button issue in regards to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Council (ICC), which Mayor Taylor is its Chairman. 

In recent years, leaders in the suburbs, Mayor Taylor included, are frustrated more than ever in terms of carloads of children coming from elsewhere, the elephant in the room being the City of Milwaukee, to the suburbs in persuit of a safer, more enjoyable trick-or-treat (and likely better choices of candy at the doors). The leaders are upset because of an apparent silent uprising among suburban residents having to purchase additional candy at the local Target or Walgreens to accomodate these Milwaukee youths running around in costumes with their, in our case, Franklin counterparts.

September Updates from Alderwoman Wilhelm

Dear Residents,

Here is good news from our Chief of Police and a few items of possible interest. 

Kristen Wilhelm

Franklin's 3rd District

Council tables 230-foot sidewalk connecting subdivisions to FHS

Last night after a spirited debate over a variety of matters, the Common Council voted 6-0 to table a bid acceptance to construct a 230-foot sidewalk connecting subdivisions south and southeast of FHS to the school. This proposal came before the Council after months of earlier discussion that started when a homeowner wanted to build a path along the border of his property for students rather than the alternative of nothing.