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Franklin alderman Steve Taylor cares about public safety? PUH-LEEZE!

Posted by Kevin Fischer on April 1, 2011

Franklin alderman Steve Taylor is in the fight for his aldermanic life as he feels the heat from a strong, solid, principled campaign from his opponent, former Franklin alderman, longtime Franklin businessman, and conservative Christian Republican Pete Kosovich.

Taylor has put out a campaign flyer that gives the misperception that public safety has been one of his top priorities. Like most of his Franklin aldermanic career, the claim is bogus.

I note that he, other than a brief e-mail, was AWOL on the most important public safety issue to Franklin demonstrating how clearly out of touch he is with, not only his district, but the entire city.

During the November 2009 city budget deliberations, when Mayor Tom Taylor wanted to cut a fire department position and two police officer positions, aldermen Steve Olson and Lyle Sohns fought to restore those positions. Because of his personal pettiness fueled by a dislike for Olson, Taylor voiced opposition to Olson and Sohns' proposals with no suggestions of his own to save those important jobs.

If Steve Taylor knocks on your door this weekend, ask him why he verbally opposed restoration of important public safety fire and police positions in November of 2009.

Take whatever answer he gives you with a grain of salt, including that Kevin Fischer is full of it. He is obsessed with me and my blog instead of the job at hand, another reason he’s unfit to be alderman. His priorities are out of whack.

With his re-election on the line, Steve Taylor wants us to believe that suddenly he’s a fan of public safety. That’s not the impression he gave in November of 2009 or his last three years in office. It’s also a tactic used by lefties as the election gets closer. They move closer and closer to the right. Steve Taylor, phony conservative, is now using that page right out of the liberal playbook. As a phony conservative, Taylor is out of touch with the values of the majority of his district and the city of Franklin.

Also ask him this if he rings your doorbell this weekend:

What specific budget amendments did you propose last November to reduce the city property tax levy increase down to 0 %? He offered NONE and rubber stamped the property tax increase during a recession when many homes in Franklin were being foreclosed.

Finally, DO NOT fall for any rhetoric from Steve Taylor that a city of Franklin study found our tax rate is better than surrounding communities. The tax rate is meaningless. It’s the LEVY that’s important and our LEVY increased well beyond the rate of inflation, thanks to Steve Taylor.

And for those inclined, please have a copy of the 1^st Amendment ready for Steve Taylor. Kindly remind him that Kevin Fischer enjoys this right. Taylor's ignorance has him forgetting that. It's yet another reason you need to:

VOTE FOR PETE KOSOVICH APRIL 5!

Steve Taylor has plenty of time to attend these events, but can't find time to attend a hearing about sex predators in his neighborhoods?

When tax and spender, Steve Taylor knocks on your door this weekend, Franklin taxpayers, REMEMBER...

Posted by Kevin Fischer on April 1, 2011

The Barking Lot (04/02/11)

Posted by Kevin Fischer on April 2, 2011

The Barking Lot

The Barking Lot is a regular weekly feature of this just in…Written by my lovely wife, Jennifer and me.  It opens with the weekend dog walking forecast followed by the main blog from dog lover, Jennifer. Then it’s DOGS IN THE NEWS and our close. Enjoy!


THE WEEKEND DOG-WALKING FORECAST: We grade the weather outlook for taking your pet outdoors. 

TODAY:  Partly cloudy. High of 47. That's about right for this time of year.   "C"

SUNDAY:  A nasty combo of rain, thunder, and wind. High of 45.  "F"

Here’s my lovely wife, Jennifer with this week’s main blog:


I have often said that when we get a dog, I would love to have her certified as a therapy dog.  I can see so many wonderful possibilities volunteering in hospitals, nursing homes and even schools.  We have blogged many times on The Barking Lot about the incredible things that service and therapy dogs can accomplish for their human companions.  Dogs help war veterans, physically challenged individuals, children who are traumatized and need to testify in court… the list is endless.  I don’t think anyone would argue the valuable role dogs can play in a healing process.

Read more

Who is that man helping Franklin aldermanic candidate Bob Schick?

Posted by Kevin Fischer on April 2, 2011

Franklin aldermanic candidate Bob Schick was at my door early this morning with an old friend.

Bruce is tagging along with Bob today. He’s a proud veteran of our military and remains on active duty, stationed at Scott AFB, IL.

If Bob Schick stops at your house and Bruce is with him, thank Bruce for his service to our country and his patriotism.

VOTE FOR BOB SCHICK FOR FRANKLIN ALDERMAN DISTRICT 3 ON TUESDAY, APRIL 5!

Is Franklin a Tax Hell? More #'s

Posted by Kevin Fischer on April 2, 2011

Late last year when I blogged financial data supporting my claim that Franklin is a tax hell, Mayor Tom Taylor in knee jerk reaction had his staff prepare a report in rebuttal that compared Franklin’s city tax rate to tax rates in surrounding communities.

Mayor Taylor distributed this report to Common Council members who, at one of their subsequent meetings, nodded like brainwashed sheep and laughed and snickered at and insulted anyone (like me) that would dare question our obscene taxes.

What Mayor Taylor and the tax and spenders on the Common Council (that would be all except Steve Olson) were banking on was that the general public wouldn’t see the major flaw in the staff report and that is that the tax rate is meaningless. It’s the tax LEVY that’s important.

Some time ago, I asked the Research Director for the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX), Dale Knapp for the latest property tax information for the city of Franklin. From the WISTAX web site:

“Celebrating its 78th year, the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX) is the state's oldest and most respected private government research organization.  Since 1932, it has been promoting better government and an informed citizenry through its publications, public outreach and extensive school programs.”

Knapp responded to my request:

“The latest numbers for the city of Franklin are for 2009/10 (billed in 2009, payable in 2010).  We won't have this year's numbers until later this spring.”

There are important tables reported by WISTAX.

1) The municipal tax is the total amount levied by the municipality for municipal purposes. 

2) The net levy includes all property taxes levied in the municipality.  This includes the levy for the local school district(s), technical colleges, county, municipality, special districts, and the state.

3) Per capita, or tax paid by each person.

Let’s look at how the city of Franklin fares among all 599 cities and villages ranked by WISTAX.

The municipal tax: Franklin ranks #308

The net levy: Franklin ranks #157.

Doesn’t seem all that terrible, does it?

But now you look at the per capital rankings.

For the municipal tax, Franklin ranks # 67.

For the net levy, Franklin ranks # 42.

These are the latest figures available. I doubt the figures for 2010-11 will show any dramatic improvement.

To repeat, the overwhleming majority of City Hall offiicials including Steve Taylor and Kristen Wilhelm DO NOT believe Franklin is a tax hell. And why wouldn't they?

My Most Popular Blogs (04/03/11)

Posted by Kevin Fischer on April 3, 2011

Most popular

As I post every Sunday, here are the five most read blog entries of mine from the previous week. NOTE: some entries may have been posted prior to the past week.

1) Here is the #1 reason to vote against Franklin alderman Steve Taylor

2) Pete Kosovich for Franklin alderman, 4th distruct: The true consrvative in this race

3) Culinary no-no #211

4) Emails, I get emails: THE CHARACTER OF THE SUPREME COURT CANDIDATES

5) Some savvy blog readers have Franklin alderman Steve Taylor all figured out

Recommended Reading (04/03/11)

Posted by Kevin Fischer on April 3, 2011

Recommended reading

Here are, in my view, interesting, noteworthy columns and articles from the past week that I highly recommend (You will note that on occasion, I do not endorse the opinions of the author and may point that out. Despite my disagreements, I still feel the piece is worth a read).


The one opinion piece The New York Times didn’t want you to read

"Editor’s note: In the weeks since Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker introduced his reforms to balance the budget and revoke the collective bargaining rights of public employees, The New York Times repeatedly used its editorial pages to opine on the reforms. Below is the Op-Ed that Governor Walker wrote that the New York Times chose not to run."


Wisconsin judicial tyranny

"It's beginning to seem like the will of the people, as reflected in the election results, is completely irrelevant. The Democrats and their special interest sponsors in the labor movement are using any means at their disposal to block the efforts of the officials who won the election.

Our Founding Fathers warned against 'the tyranny of the minority.' This must have been the type of situation they had in mind."


The paranoid style in liberal politics

"Up until Walker’s showdown with the Democratic state senators, (David) Koch had never seen a photograph of the governor. He didn’t know him at all. But now the protesters occupying the Wisconsin state capitol were calling Walker a ‘Koch Whore.’

Read more

Some final thoughts on Franklin elections

Posted by Kevin Fischer on April 4, 2011

For this frustrated voter, the elections on April 5 boil down to this.

I am fed up with the overwhelming tax and spend mentality that permeates City Hall and the Franklin School Board that in turn leads to most of our elected officials constantly taking more and more money away from my family, our baby’s college fund, funds for family vacations, our retirement, etc.

I am tired of people in surrounding suburbs telling me they have more house and comparable services and schools, if not better, at far less the property tax.

Franklin is a predominantly fiscally conservative city. Sadly, less than a handful of our elected folks match that philosophy. The rest, in my view, need to replaced by individuals that share Franklin’s fiscal philosophy.

Here are my thoughts on the Franklin races on Tuesday.

FRANKLIN ALDERMAN, DISTRICT 3

I happen to like the incumbent, Kristen Wilhelm. She’s on my list of potential baby-sitters for Kyla. Her opponent, Bob Schick and I agreed during a recent conversation that she works hard and cares a great deal. I very much appreciate that she communicates with her constituents (like me) via e-mail. More of Franklin’s officials need to follow suit.

However, this is not a popularity contest. I know plenty of genuinely nice people. But I would never vote for them.

Kristen Wilhelm is a tax and spend, environmentalist liberal. She does not share the same fiscal conservative values as the majority of her district or the majority of the city.

She promised me before she was elected that she would hold the line on taxing and spending. In reality, she has done just the opposite, voting every time for city budgets that increased the property tax levy beyond the rate of inflation, and during  a recession when homes in her district are being foreclosed. They’re easy to find for someone like Kristen who likes to use the computer. It’s a simple concept called “Google.”

My property tax bill means far more to me than E-newsletters that have included job openings for liberal public radio.

Sorry, Kristen. You had your opportunity, and in my view, did not earn re-election because you were so disappointing, including in your promise to me about taxing and spending.

Kristen Wilhelm has the incumbent advantage over Bob Schick, a political newcomer. But after talking to Schick, I understand he embodies true Franklin values. I am more than willing to place my trust in Schick, as I did with Kristen years ago, only to be totally disappointed. I think I can count on two fingers the times Kristen actually followed through for me. It’s futile trying to work with her, and others in my neighborhood have said the same. Kristen fails to realize that there are plenty more voters like me in her district. She only wants to listen to those that agree with her. That doesn’t include me, apparently, and so I strongly endorse Bob Schick.

But Kevin, if Kristen wins, don’t you run the risk of alienating yourself with her in the future? Good question. But she’s rarely listened to me in the past. Why would she listen in the future?

Schick might be green, but in a city our size, I’m not sure that’s a major detriment. What he does have is my trust. The incumbent lost it a long time ago.

VOTE FOR BOB SCHICK TUESDAY TO HELP RESTORE FISCAL SANITY TO FRANKLIN!


FRANKLIN ALDERMAN, DISTRICT 4

My dear friend, former Wisconsin Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow once told me this that I have never forgotten. If you have an “R” after your name (Republican), talk like one, act like one, vote like one, govern like one.

The incumbent, the vagabond Steve Taylor who just can’t seem to find a zip code to become comfortable with, likes to pass himself off as a conservative. And yet, he has violated the Farrow doctrine big time.

This phony conservative, supposedly a Scott Walker disciple, has voted for city budgets that increased the property tax levy beyond the rate of inflation. Unlike Scott Walker, he never lifted a finger to attempt to reduce the property tax levy increase to 0 %. When a colleague tried several times last November to amend the budget to reduce the levy increase even further, Steve Taylor sat silent, refusing to even second the motion on behalf of hard-working families. Why? Because he has a huge personal dislike for the alderman who made the motions.

If you don’t like Franklin taxes, you are the subject of Taylor’s wrath in public. As he stated at a meeting last November, if you don’t like the taxes I impose on you, then just get the hell out of here. Interesting command from someone who’s lived here a few years as opposed to property taxpayers who have lived here and paid their fair share and then some 10, 20, 30 or more years.

Taylor’s other claim to fame is his push to require that dogs, horses, and other small animals always be on leashes. More government intervention. That’s more liberalism from a phony conservative.

He also was considering a city-wide smoking ban until liberal Jim Doyle who liked the same idea rammed it through the Legislature. The smoking ban issue torn Franklin apart in the 90’s, the most divisive public policy in our city’s history showing once again how out of touch Steve Taylor is.

Steve Taylor lacks the proper demeanor to handle the job. I have been informed by his constituents that if you dare disagree, he will call you at home to give you a hard time. If you’re not at home, he will belittle your spouse.

He is arrogant and condescending as opposed to his opponent, Pete Kosovich who has the appropriate even-keel approach and the appropriate fiscal conservative approach to stop the maddening taxing and spending that have driven too many to put up the FOR SALE signs that our aldermen ignore, laugh and snicker at when they pass their bloated budgets.

VOTE FOR PETE KOSOVICH TUESDAY APRIL 5


FRANKLIN SCHOOL BOARD

There are 3 candidates running for 2 school board seats.

David Works

Several weeks ago, I asked Works why he didn’t attend last year’s school board meeting, the most important of the year, that decided the school system budget for the following year.

Works refused to answer on the record, imploring me not to publish his response to that and other questions. Suffice to say that as a fiscal conservative, I was disturbed by his comments.

As recently as a few weeks ago, I requested that he be cautious in upcoming votes and not approve pay increases for school system employees.

On March 3, I told David Works:

“DON’T FORGET THE TAXPAYERS.”

Works responded the next day:

“You have it.”

According to Fred Keller’s blog, while Works voted against a contract increase for Superintendent Steve Patz, he voted for an average 2.3 percent increase for Administrators, and voted for an average 2.3 percent increase for various non-union staff.

Since becoming a school board member, Works has voted consistently for big tax and spending increases, going against what he has told me face to face.

Quite frankly, David Works is one of the most disappointing Franklin officials in recent memory. 


Linda Witkowski

She has been a bit more consistent as of late in holding the line on out of control school spending.

Newcomer Tim Nielson

He deserves a chance, with the caveat that if he wins, people will be watching him as they did David Works. I refuse to be fooled and insulted like I was by Works ever again.

If there are to be two winners Tuesday, they should be Nielson and Witkowski.


FRANKLIN MAYOR

The incumbent, Tom Taylor is a good friend. He and I have collaborated well on several important Franklin issues.The mayor has done many good things for Franklin.

He is running unopposed. Foolish and naïve Franklin bloggers without substantiation, as usual, posted silly items recently that Taylor would be the subject of a write-in campaign. He won’t be and will be mayor again.

If he had an opponent, it would have been very interesting because my good friend, and he is, had a rough last year.

In a weak attempt to defend Franklin’s out of whack taxing and spending, Mayor Taylor accused fiscal critics of badmouthing all that is good about the city when they did no such thing. Instead of engaging in thoughtful debate, he ordered his staff to prepare a bogus report about the city’s meaningless tax rate, as if that would somehow satisfy the masses paying their property tax bills in December.

The mayor also publically enabled his tax and spenders on the Common Council (Steve Taylor, Kristen Wilhelm, et al) to berate, laugh at and ridicule any hard working taxpayer that refused to kiss the tax and spenders’ rings.

You have to earn my vote (Gee, I’m just funny that way) and I will not be voting for Mayor Tom Taylor Tuesday, leaving that space on my ballot blank.

Mayor, please work harder in your next term to earn back my confidence.


VOTE FOR DAVID PROSSER, WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT


VOTE FOR JEFF STONE FOR MILW. COUNTY EXECUTIVE