Council to Consider Naming of the Band Shell Dec 15th

The City of Franklin Common Council will be considering the naming of the Band Shell at Legend Park at the next council meeting on December 15th Parks Commissioner Don Dorsan has requested that the City consider officially naming the band shell at Legend Park after the kid that built it as an Eagle Scout project 5 years ago- Travis Dimond-Manore.

Valued at $150,000 when it was built, Travis built the band shell buy collecting donations of materials, volunteer hours and money. He started the project when he was only 15 years old. It took nearly three years to complete without the assistance of tax payer dollars. Since its completion hundreds of people have enjoyed concerts in the park at the band shell every summer but few know the story behind its construction.

Dorsan believes the city has never adequately recognized this contribution to the people of Franklin by this exceptional kid. In an age when the headlines feature stories of young people headed down the wrong path in life, it’s appropriate to encourage positive roll models such as Travis Dimond-Manore. Please help support this effort by e-mailing our Mayor and Aldermen today. Please cc Don at ddorsan@yahoo.com so he can keep track of the response.

Below are the Mayors and Alderman’s e-mail addresses and a brief statement you can cut and paste into an e-mail. Feel free to add your own thoughts to your e-mail as well.

Here's a sample of an e-mail you can send:

Dear Mayor and Aldermen

I urge you to vote to name the band shell at Legend Park after the Eagle Scout who built it - Travis Dimond-Manore. Built without taxpayer support, as a gift to the people of Franklin, I belive it is a fitting expression of the gratitude of the people of Franklin to officially recognize the dedication and extraordinary efforts put forth by this Franklin High School Student.

Mayor Tom Taylor: ttaylor31@wi.rr.com

Alderman Steve Olson (District 1): solson@franklinwi.gov

Alderman Tim Solomon (District 2): tsolomon@franklinwi.gov

Alderwoman Kristen Wilhelm (District 3): kwilhelm@franklinwi.gov

Common Council President Steve Taylor (District 4): staylor@franklinwi.gov

Alderman Lyle Sohns (District 5): lsohns@franklinwi.gov

Alderman Ken Skowronski (District 6): E-mail City Clerk Sandi Wesolowski at swesolowski@franklinwi.gov and ask her that she place your e-mail in Ken's mailbox at City Hall.

There is also a blog posting on this subject at http://www.myfranklintoday.com/2009/11/lions-legend-parks-band-shell-deserves-to-be-named-after-its-builder.html#more