This Just In...

I found this email to be quite interesting...apparently you used your "state aide" power in this post? I find what you find below quite amusing:

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Fellow citizens,

After spending another evening at a Committee of the Whole/Council meeting, unlike some other bloggers, I have once again seen firsthand the politics that make all of us wonder how some individuals got put into office.

I realize certain individuals have their favorite developers and some of the individuals sit on the Common Council. They also have friends like Kevin Fischer. Given the state of the economy and the desire of the Franklin people to hold out for something better and beyond Everywhere, USA, Kevin Fischer is taking a huge potshot at the "other side."

The land, as it was sitting, was creating little to no income and had a lower assessed value prior to the installed infrastructure. For Mr. Fischer to take such a low potshot at this developer, it has to make me wonder, and I hope it makes YOU wonder, what political agenda...or should I say, who's political agenda...he is truly working for. Keep in mind that he is an aide to our State Senator, Mary Lazich. This is the same State Senator who wrote the letter of support for the "favorite" developer. Should we, the people of Franklin, allow this type of destruction to a well intended developer over personal grudges and tight political ties?

I hope you will join me in making a stand and telling Mr. Fischer he is DEAD WRONG in his injurious attempts on forcing bad development in Franklin, and that he has NO RIGHT, as a Republican state aide, to interfere with the business development of OUR community. Here is Senator Mary Lazich's e-mail address: sen.lazich@legis.wisconsin.gov

I hope you will consider e-mailing Senator Lazich and asking her to curb Mr. Fischer's interference in private businesses that can have a long-term positive effect on our community.

BDG984, you're saying that a certain blogger sent you the e-mail you copied in your comment? Amusing is right. Apparently I gave up my First Amendment rights with my state paycheck.

I am merely curious, as a Franklin taxpayer, as to the economic effect of this delayed project. I would think many other taxpayers would also be interested in this information.

I continue to support FOF, but want to see it open sooner rather than later.

Hi Kevin,

I'm a bit confused by your demands, so I'm hoping you can clarify some things for me.  When you ask for "an analysis of the monthly lost tax revenue to the city of Franklin caused by the continued dormant site at 56th and Rawson", on what basis should this analysis be prepared?  Have there been alternative tax generating uses for this site that were rejected in favor of the Fountains of Franklin?  If so, then I presume this would be a basis for comparison.  I (perhaps naively) assume that the failure of the Fountains of Franklin has been a function of the economy, particularly the state of the credit and real estate markets.  It is currently very difficult for businesses to raise financing, which has had an impact on economic development.  Are the developers of the Fountains of Franklin turning businesses away, or have they just been unable to get any businesses interested in the development?  I guess what I'm asking is whether there is something else going on here that I just don't understand.

Tara, thanks for the comment.

First of all, it’s not a demand, it’s a respectful request. Please don’t read too much into it. I am simply seeking information.

I am sure there is a formula local governments use to determine the potential value of land. They make budget decisions based on projected revenues. Certainly the powers that be can estimate, given the plans submitted by the developer, what the economic impact of this project, when fully developed, would be to the city.

Are the developers of the Fountains of Franklin turning businesses away? I don’t know. My guess is no. My theory is tenants aren't knocking down the doors at 56th and Rawson.

Have they just been unable to get any businesses interested in the development?  That’s a question for the developer.

Tara, you write, “I guess what I'm asking is whether there is something else going on here that I just don't understand.”

I have the same question. Why isn’t there a brighter light on this project? There’s all this mystery and no one, I mean no one is asking, what’s going on over there?  Is there any harm in asking what’s taking so long or what’s the problem? I honestly don’t think so.

I’m hoping my inquiry will lead to more discussion and a push to develop this project to its fullest potential.

I am certainly not opposed to upscale development at the site and don’t want the project to fail. Any reasonable, intelligent person who has read my blogs, including a recent one about competition should be able to understand that.

And I have nothing personal against the developer. He and I know each other and get along quite well. I want him to succeed. I actually met with him in late 2006 and suggested he have an Economic Impact Statement prepared for the FOF that would provide complete details on the future potential economic benefit and value to Franklin. Such a report would, I believe, have been invaluable in efforts to attract the quality tenants we want there. These statements are often prepared in advance of major projects.

The city faces huge budget problems this year. As a concerned taxpayer, I am merely curious as to what that empty piece of land is costing the city. The fiscal experts at City Hall, I trust, will be able to come up with answers.

Thanks again, Tara. There’s no big conspiracy going on or attempt to block the project. I simply want some fiscal information.

We’ve got to get this project out of limbo.

Kevin,

This is about your closing statement to our delightful Tara: “There’s no big conspiracy going on or attempt to block the project. I simply want some fiscal information”.

We hope you are not experiencing another attack of the “illusions of grandeur” when you gave us the impression that you could make an impact concerning “blocking the project”.   You sure take a lot for granted!  Don’t forget, you are just another lowly citizen of Franklin and just another state employee, as you asserted in a previous message.

TIP:   If you are seeking fiscal information, don’t look for it on a blog site – make a trip to City Hall!  

We are glad to hear that you are in favor of the Fountains; however, from some of the things you have said, one could easily presume there is a wolf lurking in sheep’s clothing.  

Kelly,  I certainly hope you don't buy into the Greg Kowalski-Oliver Stone black helicopter theory that there is some diabolical plot going on.

As with all my blogs, no one coaches me or asks for my bidding. There is no secret plot.

I am a curious fellow dating back to my journalism days and would dearly love to know what we could be raking in if FOF was up and running.

And by the way, geography lesson for Greg Kowalski. My blog on this topic focused on the "dormant site at 56th and Rawson." I'm not talking about Sendik's. Sendik's is at 51st and Rawson, a place I've written about in glowing terms before and after its opening.

As for being a wolf, I haven't been called that since my high school days!

"It's time to get serious about the Fountains of Franklin"

That's the title of your blog.  Interestingly enough, Sendik's is actually considered part of the Fountains of Franklin.

By the way, you can spin the whole, "I'm just an average citizen" schtick, but you know as well as I do that as Mary Lazich's legislative aide, you're not just an "ordinary citizen."  You're first and foremost identified as being one of her staff members.