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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.
Ald. Sohns' stunt misses the point, big time
Boy, I guess Franklin bloggers really got under Franklin Alderman Lyle Sohns’ skin.
Based on information posted by FranklinNOW.com blogger Greg Kowalski, Sohns thought he was such a clever devil at Tuesday night’s Common Council meeting by releasing property tax records of Common Council members and Franklin bloggers.
If he was attempting to make some news bulletin dramatic point, the guy failed miserably.
Let’s back up just a bit.
I haven’t said a word about a private meeting I had with Sohns not too long ago. But I’m compelled to write about it now, given his goofy stunt Tuesday night.
Another Franklin blogger and I met with Sohns and Alderman Steve Olson to discuss the pledge signed by Mayor Tom Taylor to hold the property tax levy increase to 3 %. Our hope was that the two aldermen would agree to the same pledge.
I like Alderman Sohns and respect him. But to be honest, on more than one occasion at this meeting where he said he would not support the pledge because it just couldn’t be done, he condescendingly spoke to me on budgets as if I didn’t know the difference between a dollar bill and an electric shaver.
He riddled me with one excuse after another about why holding the line on taxes was impossible.
He also presented me with a copy of the last city of Franklin budget and a rundown of the property tax records of some of the Franklin bloggers.
Seeing the bloggers’ numbers made me chuckle and react with a big, fat, “So what!”
What I told Sohns that day is just as true today, the day after he staged his meaningless theatrics.
The issue isn’t what my taxes or Greg Kowalski’s or Janet Evans’ are.
I didn’t give up my time to meet with Sohns and Olson to lobby for my own personal tax break.
HELLO!!!!
EARTH TO ALDERMAN SOHNS:
THE ISSUE IS THE PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR THE ENTIRE CITY, FOR EVERY SINGLE PROPERTY TAXPAYER IN FRANKLIN!!!!
Sohns has voted in favor of raising the city property tax levy over 5%, beyond the rate of inflation, and has also voted to increase spending at a rate higher than that.
He claims holding the line is just too tough. Raising taxes, I guess, is the only solution, again.
And yet he tries to scapegoat the bloggers to make what point?
That taxes aren’t so bad?
I’m sorry, but if Sohns thinks my taxes aren’t that bad, he’s out of his cotton pickin’ mind.
His attitude is also troubling, that the only way to budget is to tax and spend, tax and spend, and won’t even seriously consider a 3% ceiling.
My goodness.
Can you imagine if we asked Sohns to cut 3%?
He’d go into orbit.
Now, will he be a budget hawk during budget deliberations?
I sure hope so.
But I have to wonder after what he pulled.
Lyle, did you feel really good holding up our tax records last night?
Was your chest puffed out to Oak Creek?
In your Frank Burns-like attempt at leadership, you proved nothing, Alderman.
You’re better than this.
Get serious about working with Mayor Taylor to give Franklin residents the relief they deserve and cut these stupid stunts.
VOTE IN THE 2008 BEST IN FRANKLIN-AREA DINING SURVEY
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