This Just In ...

In Franklin, no Meijer's decision, no surprise

Posted by Kevin Fischer on Aug. 22, 2012

Tuesday night, the Franklin Common Council met to, according to its agenda, consider resolutions that would pave the way for a large Meijer’s store to be built, bringing jobs and another quality consumer option sorely lacking here.

Great excitement for many folks, and not just Franklin residents. Unfortunately, Franklin is all too often the proverbial wet blanket.

Many years ago, during the 1970's, the late Bill Cofield unsuccessfully coached the University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team. The rap on Cofield was that he could take raw talent and make it raw. That’s Franklin.

On Tuesday, the Franklin Common Council punted. On the courage-o-meter, it measured zero. Like a mouse, it crawled back into its hole. The aldermen did nothing.

Thank goodness for Tom Daykin of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. While the crack FranklinNOW news team was out covering kite festivals, Daykin was reporting that the Franklin Common Council, confronted with some of their biggest votes of the year did…nothing.

Why?

Daykin, and here’s the link to his story since this website’s link to said article isn’t working as of this post, reports the council voted to wait until its next meeting to consider site plans for the store because Ald. Steve Olson, whose district includes the site, was not at the meeting. Daykin’s source was a Meijer’s attorney. As I blogged earlier, Olson was out of town on business for his real, full-time job.

So let’s consider the possible reasons Franklin aldermen acted like Pontius Pilate Tuesday and abrogated responsibility by kicking the can to the next meeting.

1) Ald. Olson couldn’t make the meeting.

2) Ald. Olson represents the area where Meijer’s wants to be.

3) Out of respect to Ald. Olson, a delay was in order.

4) The other aldermen were incapable of voting without Ald. Olson’s expertise on the site plans.


If you believe any of the above, I have a bridge to sell you.

No way was the Meijer’s issue delayed out of deference or respect to the absent Olson. Good grief, the last time Olson missed a meeting, Alderman Ken Skowronski practically went into orbit, stopping just short of demanding and FBI investigation.

Franklin has a bizarre, unexplainable approach to economic development. Most communities welcome the concept. Franklin desperately tries to find roadblocks, reasons to block progress.

When Andy’s was set to move in at 51^st and Rawson, I contacted Mayor Tom Taylor and then-Alderman Alan Hammelman. “Is this the best we can do?” at such a prime location, I asked.

Both gentlemen told me that was indeed the case.

With hindsight being 20-20, Andy’s is ok. The point is Franklin’s acceptance of a glorified gas station was the consensus.

How long did we fight and squabble and nitpick over Target?

Now Meijer’s.

Are we asking a hippo to jump through a hoop?

I’m not surprised at the non-action Tuesday night. Why would we as a city try to expedite a move to bring in a fine corporate citizen with a proven track record of success that would create jobs and offer another quality choice for shoppers? Nah, let’s just sleep on it. And don't believe anyne who claims Franklin hasn't had enough time to ponder the pros and cons. There have been ample hearings and public information readily available.

The pattern I’ve seen in Franklin since I moved here in 1992 is that the powers that be, when it comes to true economic development and job creation and bold moves, lack the stomach to pull the trigger, leading one to question their real commitment to critical economic growth.

We may still get a Meijer’s. But trust me, other businesses are watching that may not want to play the long guessing game that hinders Franklin’s growth. We hurt ourselves whenever a high profile business decision has to be made. Sadly, the people in charge don’t see it, understand it, or care.