I'm coming on this a bit late, but I have to say I am also quite disappointed in how libraries (or funding of libraries) don't seem to be well-received. That it's not well-received by a School Board Member just makes it worse. I don't know about Ms. Evans, but an organization I'm part of meets at the library once (sometimes twice) a month. The parking lot is (at minimum) half to three quarters full every time, and the computers there are always fully utilized. It's also impressive the number of STUDENTS that go to the library to study or work on group projects. Being a Board Member, I'd hope Ms. Evans would recognize that at the high school many teachers include several heavy-duty group projects in their classes. Out of any public facility in Franklin, I'd argue that our library is one of the busiest and most used. Using Ms. Evans' logic, we should be shuttering City Hall or the "Educational & Community Center" in favor of them being merged with, perhaps, the library to make them more "tax-friendly". Common Council or School Board Meetings in the Fadrow Room? Hmm...that actually sounds better than the current blah environments present at both Council and Board meetings.

I think what some (most) people forget is the state is moving the on/offramps at 27th Street & I-94 (at the Racine County line) up to Elm Road. That interchange will also be in Oak Creek and to my knowledge Franklin taxpayers won't have to support that project via indirect methods. For that matter, neither will Oak Creek's. I believe it to be a fair comparison to look at 27th Street and like it to Bluemound Road in Brookfield, especially with certain aldermen throwing out stats and numbers like they know the future before it's even created. Bluemound Road in Brookfield is only served by TWO interchanges - Moorland Road and Barker Road. Look at all their development over the past 20 years. Now look at 27th Street - with 3 interchanges right now (College, Rawson, and Ryan) and two proposed (Drexel and Elm). I'd argue we're already at overkill with 3. Now they're talking 5? Why would anyone even bother driving down 27th Street!?

According to former EDC/CDA member Ted Grintjes, the EDC supported the Drexel Interchange concept. Or so that's what he said at Tuesday's council meeting.

Hey, now THAT is a good idea! If the current example proves anything, it looks like one-upmanship does wonders in the City of Franklin. I'm all for encouraging something similar in terms of economic development. I think the issue pertaining to the community calendar is that residents don't really have many means to know about happenings in Franklin. Bringing a community together can be just as important as developing one. What's the saying? United we Stand, Divided we Fall? Furthermore, it can be argued along the lines of how can one develop a community when there isn't much of a community to develop in the first place, due to every being segregated into their own subdivisions.

Considering that Michlig has been one of the very few on the EDC who speaks at meetings and proposes agenda items for EDC meetings, I think that was a little harsh. But, you are right (and thanks for reading my website!), the EDC does need to get its act in gear. The sooner the better. Based on what I know and what I've seen at the handful of EDC meetings I've attended, I don't believe Michlig is anywhere NEAR being the problem.

Guys - all I was trying to do was add a page to my website that promotes all the great organizations our community has, with their events and meetings for any resident to attend and learn more about them (and perhaps join!). I'm disappointed to a certain extent that it looks like some got a little sensitive and feelings were hurt over the process. That wasn't my intention. I never expected my calendar to create negative feelings. When the new city website is uploaded to the servers, I look forward to the "enhanced" city calendar. But please note that in the city's calendar at this time there are no mentions of any community/civic groups and their happenings. So it looks like the only way to access a calendar of events/meetings from our community organizations would still be through www.myfranklintoday.com.

$813 per home? That helps explain some things!

John, Yet another example of leadership not realizing that the times have past them. Perhaps term limits should be imposed on commissioners, aldermen, and the mayor's office to ensure that there will be some form of "new blood" in those positions within a certain timeframe. To have EDC member(s?) react with an answer like that to your very valid point of filling in current vacancies only tells me that they're still thinking Franklin is in the midst of an economic development boom. Such commissions like the EDC need to put priorities together, and put current Franklin developments first rather than on the backburner in favor of more "empty" proposals - literally.