This Just In ...
Kevin Fischer is a veteran broadcaster, the recipient of over 150 major journalism awards from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Wisconsin Associated Press, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, and others. He has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for over three decades. A longtime aide to state Senate Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, Kevin can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, "InterCHANGE," on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their lovely baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
Franklin alderman flip-flops, backstabs Franklin property taxpayers
It is the worst possible move an elected official can make: Breaking his/her word to the voters.
Put that in Franklin Alderman Steve Taylor's resume.
During the November 15, 2011 Franklin Common Council where the council approved the 2012 city of
Voting against the betrayal of taxpayers were Alderman Steve Olson and Alderman Kristen Wilhelm (who by the way is consistently moving up on my approval-o-meter).
There are a few villains in this news item with Alderman Steve Taylor the biggest. Here’s the background, taken from the official minutes of the March 1, 2011 meeting of the Franklin Common Council, Read carefully:
Alderman Taylor moved to adopt Resolution No. 2011-6696, A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE INTENT OF THE COMMON COUNCIL TO APPROPRIATE 100% OF THE TAX INCREMENTAL DISTRICT NO. 2 TAX REVENUES UPON THE ANTICIPATED TERMINATION OF THE DISTRICT IN LATE 2011 TO TAX LEVY REDUCTION, as amended. Seconded by Alderman Olson. At 9:14 p.m. Mayor Taylor passed the gavel to Council President Taylor, who then chaired the meeting. At 9:18 p.m. the gavel was returned to Mayor Taylor, who returned to chairing the meeting. At 9:22 p.m. Mayor Taylor passed the gavel to Council President Taylor, who then chaired the meeting. At 9:25 p.m. the gavel was returned to Mayor Taylor, who returned to chairing the meeting. Alderman Taylor moved to call the question. Seconded by Alderman Olson. All voted Aye; motion carried. On roll call for the main motion, all voted Aye; motion carried.
Let’s recap. Back in March, STEVE TAYLOR made the motion that 100% OF THE TAX INCREMENTAL DISTRICT NO. 2 TAX REVENUES UPON THE ANTICIPATED TERMINATION OF THE DISTRICT IN LATE 2011 be targeted TO TAX LEVY REDUCTION.
Yet on November 15, 2011, as the next city budget was being decided, Alderman Taylor, in his own words that are on the audio recording of the Common Council meeting says only $600,000 of the $1,043,000 will be given back to taxpayers in the form of property tax relief while $443,000 will be spent on additional spending. That is not the 100% return to you, the hard-working taxpayers,
Complicit in this dereliction of integrity and raping of the taxpayers are Aldermen Steve Taylor, Tim Solomon, and Doug Schmidt who, without a sound or batting an eyelash, voted to approve this blatant deception.
They essentially lied to
If you disapprove, time is of the essence. Contact Mayor Taylor immediately and respectfully ask him to veto this measure but also veto the incredibly irresponsible cut to public safety. Franklin has incomprehensibly cut police and fire while at the same time has increased overall spending.
Also, if you listen to the available audio of the November 15, 2011 Franklin Common Council meeting, listen as phony conservative Steve Taylor argues against proposed cuts in the property tax levy because they’re minimal. Umm, Steve, in this economy, let the taxpayers, the people who pay the bills make the decision as to whether cuts are good enough or not. Sorry, folks. Steve Taylor is about as conservative as George McGovern.
November 15, 2011 might truly have been the saddest day in city of
Finally, as always, comments are welcome here. Listen up. Generic and anonymous comments blasting me for being too negative and calling for
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.