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By Bryan Maersch
Tuesday, Sep 30 2008, 07:00 AM
The stock market took it's biggest hit yesterday with almost a 800 point drop with no good news in the immediate future. With the economy is on a major downswing so I have to ask - The Franklin Cultural Arts Center - Will it happen in our lifetime? Since roughly 2003 there has been talk of a Franklin Cultural Arts Center which includes the following from their informative website:
“Funded entirely through private donations and grants, the Franklin Cultural Arts Center will include a 1,000 seat performance theater, a gallery and numerous classroom and meeting spaces. Designed to host larger scale performances than any other suburban theater in Southeastern Wisconsin, the Cultural Arts Center will offer professional performances ranging from musicals and theatrical productions to comedy and dance shows.”
The Cultural Arts Center boards and committee members reads like a who’s who of City of Franklin. The list includes former and current city government personalities, movers and shakers. Unfortunately we have hit a time where the economy is teetering on the edge. We are demanding that the Franklin City government and School System keep increased spending to a maximum of a 3% increase. Restaurants are failing and entertainment dollars are being spent to pay for ever rising gas, food and living increases.
To date the only announced major contributors similar to Terry and Mary Briscoe, the Franklin couple who donated 1 million dollars to the building of the future Franklin YMCA, are local residents Michael and Eileen Schmalz who have pledged $100,000. That would put the Schmaltz's at a Playwright level not enough for naming rights at the FCAC's Patron (above 3 million donation) or Producer level (1.5 million to 3 million) and a far cry from the 20 million dollars needed to build the center.
The major upcoming events that the FCACDate Event has on their website are:
| Date |
Event |
| October 17, 2008 |
Comedysportz |
| November 15, 2008 |
Divas and Divine Desserts |
| December, 2008 |
Jingle Bell Jazz |
| March 14, 2009 |
Flanagan's Wake |
| May, 2009 |
Murder Mystery Dinner and Art Auction |
After looking at the FCAC 2007 annual report , it looks to me, that they are just breaking even. After all the FCAC’s efforts to date, have been aimed at building friends not funds, and they are just beginning their efforts to raise start-up funds before initiating a capital campaign.
As it stands, the FCAC folks are currently projecting a opening date of Spring 2011, as they state, "with the support of their key stake holders."
For FCAC boards sake I hope the economy turns around soon because I really don't think taxpayers are ready to issue a blank check for the project. Maybe we should cut them a break on the fee waivers, as it looks like they will need any break they can get and I am not "Wagging the Dog".
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By Bryan Maersch
Wednesday, Sep 24 2008, 07:00 AM
This is nothing more than political grandstanding, was a common theme as several people spoke in reference to Item G2 at last nights Common Council meeting which was Alderman Steve Olson’s “Ordinance to suspend elected official’s expense and mileage payments authorized under §55-3. of the Municipal Code.”
This includes my friend Fred Keller (Bullseye), Mayor Taylor, and Alderman Wilhelm.
My response is similar to Alderman Sohns who said “Only Alderman Olson knows in his heart what his intention to introduce this ordinance is”. I further agree with Alderman Olson on this ordinance and would encourage our city leaders to find other small and large cuts for taxpayers. I would like to see a similar request put together for the Franklin School Board also. Last Common Council meeting (September 8th) Council President Steve Taylor proposed and received the abolishment of fee waivers to Franklin Non-Profits which was quickly vetoed by the Mayor on September 11th. A supposed $5,000 dollar savings to Franklin taxpayers. I guess there was no political grandstanding going on there!!!!
Frankly I don't care if Olson's ordinance was political grandstanding as it sounds like there is plenty of that going around city hall.
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By Bryan Maersch
Saturday, Jul 5 2008, 12:44 PM
In case you missed the Franklin 4th of July celebration here are a few photo’s I took that caught my eye. The fireworks were excellent again as usual. I was invited to see the Hales Corners fireworks with my sister’s family (which she claims are the best) but chose instead to see Franklin’s. A tip of the hat and a nod of appreciation to the Franklin Civic Celebration Committee for another job well done.
The Best Fireworks in Milwaukee County are found in Franklin!
Here Municipal Judge Fred Klimetz does not issue a DWI ruling with every 4th pitcher of beer!
Even new FranklinNOW bloggers need to celebrate the 4th!
A Happy 4th of July to Franklin.
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By Bryan Maersch
Tuesday, Jul 1 2008, 04:20 PM
Consider this …. In a time when people are struggling to keep their houses, pay for increasing gas prices, food prices, and virtually the cost of everything, while praying that their business or employer does not go belly up due to the increases in all of the above.
Milwaukee Area Technical College President Darnell Cole will get a 5.2% increase in his total compensation package and a two-year contract extension under a plan which the MATC board of directors passed on Monday.
Under this plan set forth by the "we can always spend more" MATC Board, Cole will take home $223,675 in base salary, plus a retirement supplement, travel allowance and stipend that bring his total pay to $259,131, starting June 30, 2008.
This little surprise package comes a mere week after MATC approved a 4.9% increase in its property tax levy, mostly to cover all the added salaries and benefits.
With three members absent for the vote, the only dissenting vote was Board member Rep. Pedro Colón (D-Milwaukee) who questioned the president’s long-term commitment due to Cole’s application and finalist position, for the top job at Lansing Community College in Michigan this year.
Some of Cole’s extra benefits he will be seeing is his retirement supplement bumps up 6.7%, to $16,000, reflecting two consecutive 3.25% increases because the due to lags in adjustments since 2006 which Cole can use the supplement to contribute to his personal retirement plan, this is above and beyond the state retirement system retirement plan he is eligible for.
Cole’s annual travel allowance gets bumped up 44%, to about $15,500 to cover Cole’s car mileage and maintenance within the district.
WOW – Show me where I can sign up to get that kind of job, especially in times like these where employers like Midwest Airlines are asking their pilots to take a 45 to 65% pay cut and we will be getting the "best care in the air" from flight attendants that will be making just above the Wisconsin minimum wage of $6.50 an hour.
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