This Just In ...

"Is this how Franklin taxpayers are treated?!" Sadly, yes

Posted by Kevin Fischer on May 6, 2010

The following e-mail was sent Tuesday from Christopher and Beth Mantoan of Franklin to all Franklin School Board members, Franklin Mayor Tom Taylor and Franklin Alderman Steve Olson:

Dear Franklin School Board members, Mayor Taylor and Alderman Olson-

When I returned from work today, we had this wonderful surprise in our front lawn.

We are hoping that included in the highly-discussed budget that was passed, allowing the almost- $1 million fiber optic project to move forward, was money to reimburse our family for a new front lawn (professionally seeded and re-graded, not a 20-minute patch job) and for the first application of our lawn care service that also occurred today. We realize this may (and I'm being generous) be Franklin's property, but Franklin did not install, nor pay for, our professional landscaping job 7 years ago, nor does Franklin water or mow our lawn, or take care of the general upkeep of our yard.

We would have appreciated some notice, as we could have at least prevented the lawn care service from coming out today. We would appreciate this monstrosity removed from our front lawn immediately and a written letter stating all reimbursements as requested above will be made from the Franklin budget. 

We are appalled after paying over $8000 in taxes this past year this would be allowed to happen.

Please contact us to discuss prompt resolution of this matter.

Sincerely,

Christopher and Beth Mantoan



Alderman Olson replied:

I'm sorry for the trouble that you and others are experiencing with this project.

Be aware that this project is being paid for and run by the Franklin Public Schools without notice to the homeowners affected.

I'll be happy to help in any way but at this point suggest that you address your immediate concerns to your school board members and the district administration.

The City of Franklin was not involved in the planning or execution of this project. 

Thanks.



There's more.

Olson got a phone call Wednesday night from a very angry former Franklin alderman, accusing the city of cutting power to the house. Workers had cut a cable through a hole that's marked for power. This is happening at many Franklin properties as part of the school district's wasteful, whopping $800,000 fiber optic project that was approved in their latest tax-increase budget.

Lawns are being ripped up and destroyed and power is being cut off and to make matters worse, no Franklin taxpaying homeowners were notified that workers with heavy equipment would be descending upon their properties.

$800,000 and not a single penny to send out a letter, e-mail, or telephone call warning of the impending destruction.

This is not a city endeavor. This is a SCHOOL DISTRICT matter. Once again, this school district that I have been extremely critical of in the past has created a huge mess.

To complain, call the school board members. (Note the quote from Board Member Janet Evans:
"In order for success to be realized, open communication between citizens, the Board, and the administration is essential").  Also call Superintendent Steve Patz. Given their record of complete lack of concern for taxpayers, I can't wait to hear their cockamamie excuse for this major blunder.