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, will you help get rid of a sex offender?
In August, I wrote a 5-part series on the top issues Franklin faces. One of them is the ongoing struggle to protect the city and its families from sex offenders.An informational meeting was held on September 24 at the Forest Park Middle School library, called by 1st District Alderman Steve Olson, to heighten awareness about the lawsuit filed against sex offender Steven Hanke.
Hanke bought a Franklin home five months after Franklin adopted a milestone ordinance restricting certain sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools, day-care centers and other places where children might congregate. Hanke bought a residence in June in the 8200 block of South 77th Street that is 300 feet from Forest Park Middle School, a clear violation of Franklin’s ordinance. Hanke is now refusing to leave and Franklin has taken the necessary legal action to force him out. The city of Franklin has filed a lawsuit to evict Hanke, a registered sex offender. Hanke was sentenced to nine years in prison in 1996 for second-degree sexual assault.
Hanke's attorney, Andrew Arena, made the incredibly insulting comment that Franklin residents are over-reacting."The sky is falling in Franklin," he said. "It's just ridiculous."
Arena doesn’t comprehend the history of the sex offender issue in Franklin. Otherwise, he’d understand why Franklin is rightfully concerned about sex offenders in their neighborhoods.
At the recent informational meeting, concerned residents were told that if the city loses its lawsuit against Hanke, that would practically nullify the city’s tough restrictive ordinance that communities all across the state are using as a model to pass their own similar laws. Should Franklin lose this lawsuit, the teeth would be taken right out of its ordinance and the fear that a facility to house numerous sexually violent persons could be built in Franklin would start all over again.
What can you do?
There will be court proceedings. Attend and try to bring someone else who lives in another community that has passed a similar ordinance to Franklin’s. Support is critical from other communities, not just Franklin.
The first hearing date in the Hanke case is scheduled for Monday, November 5 at 1:30 before Judge John Franke. Judge Franke is an honorable man, but he is a liberal judge. The greater the show of support in his courtroom, the better.
Yard signs and buttons will be produced for citizens to display and wear.
Please check back on my blog. I am working with concerned citizens and my blog will provide the most up-to-date information about this case and how you can get involved to take a stand to make your neighborhoods safe from sex offenders.
Share this information with a friend or neighbor. This is one of the most important issues our community is confronting right now.
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