By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News Franklin’s debate over the former Sentry / Orchard View property escalated Thursday night as the Plan Commission convened a public hearing on the proposed creation of Tax Incremental District No. 10 (TID 10) — formally designated as a proposed Blighted Area District . What unfolded was more than a development discussion. It became a referendum on blight designation, public subsidy, density, and political accountability — in the middle of an active mayoral election cycle. A Packed Chamber — and a Divided City Mayor John Nelson, who chairs the Plan Commission and is currently running for reelection, called the meeting to order with a full dais present: Alderwoman Courtney Day, Alderman Nabil Salous, Commissioners Kevin Haley, Patrick Leon, Michael Shawgo, and Rebecca Specht (Commissioner Leung excused). By the time the public hearing opened at 6:53 p.m., the chamber had heard nearly an hour of presentations from: Arianna Schmidt and To...