By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi - Franklin Community News
Franklin Mayor John Nelson’s comments before the Common Council this week are reigniting debate over the controversial hiring and continued defense of City Administrator Kelly Hersch.
During council remarks recognizing Hersch’s three-year anniversary with the city, Nelson repeatedly emphasized that Hersch was hired unanimously by the Common Council and praised what he described as her accomplishments and growth while “learning on the job.” But for many residents and critics, those comments do not settle the concerns surrounding Hersch’s qualifications when she was originally selected — they revive them.
The issue has never simply been whether Hersch improved over time. The question has always been why Franklin leadership selected someone critics argue lacked the necessary executive and municipal experience in the first place, while dismissing concerns raised publicly at the time.
“Learning on the Job” in One of Franklin’s Most Powerful Positions
Nelson’s remarks may have unintentionally reinforced one of the central criticisms surrounding Hersch’s appointment.
By publicly acknowledging that Hersch was effectively “learning on the job,” Nelson appeared to validate what many residents argued from the beginning: that Franklin entrusted one of the city’s most powerful administrative roles to someone who did not possess the level of experience traditionally expected for the position.
The role of city administrator is not an entry-level municipal position. The administrator oversees daily city operations, budgeting, personnel matters, labor negotiations, policy implementation, and coordination across multiple departments. Residents reasonably expect someone entering that role to already possess substantial executive-level governmental experience.
Instead of addressing whether Franklin residents were best served by hiring a candidate who allegedly lacked that background, Nelson framed the issue as a success story about growth and adaptation.
But critics argue that is not the standard taxpayers should expect.
Repeated Emphasis on “Unanimous” Approval
Nelson twice stressed during his remarks that Hersch was approved unanimously by the Common Council.
That detail may have been intended to reinforce legitimacy and consensus. However, unanimous approval does not eliminate questions about transparency, qualifications, or the hiring process itself.
In fact, critics argue the repeated emphasis on unanimity highlights a broader concern: whether Franklin’s leadership collectively failed to conduct the level of scrutiny expected for such a critical appointment.
A unanimous vote can demonstrate unity.
It can also demonstrate that no one in city leadership was willing to ask difficult questions.
Political Connections and Questions About the Hiring Process
Before becoming Franklin’s Director of Administration, Hersch reportedly played a leadership role in Mayor John Nelson’s 2023 mayoral campaign. That political relationship came on the heels of litigation involving the City of Franklin connected to the Strauss Brands controversy.
Critics have long argued that the sequence of events raises serious questions about whether Franklin prioritized political loyalty over qualifications during the hiring process.
Concerns were also raised that other applicants who allegedly met or exceeded the stated minimum qualifications for the position were bypassed or excluded from serious consideration.
For critics, the issue is not personal.
It is whether Franklin residents received the most qualified leadership available — or whether political relationships and internal favoritism played a greater role in the selection process than merit and experience.
Nelson’s comments this week may have unintentionally intensified those concerns.
By repeatedly praising Hersch for extensive training, nonstop work, dedication, and effectively learning while serving in the role, Nelson appeared to reinforce the very criticism residents raised from the beginning: that Franklin hired someone into one of the city’s most powerful administrative positions before she possessed the level of executive municipal experience many believe the job required.
During Tuesday night’s meeting, Nelson praised Hersch for undergoing “lots of trainings,” working “seven days a week,” and dedicating extensive time to the position.
“She has worked diligently. She has worked very hard, focused, lots of trainings,” Nelson said.
Nelson also described Hersch as someone who “doesn’t turn it off on a nine-to-five basis” and said “daily means seven days a week.”
“I’m very, very happy and I’m very proud that I was able to present her to council,” Nelson stated, later emphasizing again that the council “approved her again unanimously.”
For critics, those comments only intensify the underlying concern.
The issue, they argue, is not whether Hersch works hard.
The issue is whether extensive on-the-job development and continual training should have been necessary in the first place for someone appointed to oversee city operations at the highest administrative level.
The Original Questions Never Fully Went Away
Three years later, Nelson’s public comments have effectively reopened the same questions critics raised when Hersch was first appointed.
If Franklin required someone to develop into the role through extensive training and continual on-the-job growth, why was that person selected over allegedly more experienced candidates in the first place?
And why were those concerns dismissed politically instead of addressed directly at the time?
Public Confidence Requires More Than Celebration
Public officials are free to praise colleagues and employees. But when leaders publicly celebrate controversial decisions without acknowledging the concerns residents raised at the time, it risks appearing dismissive of legitimate public scrutiny.
The issue is not whether Hersch has supporters inside city government.
The issue is whether Franklin residents received the level of competence, transparency, and accountability they deserved from the beginning.
Nelson’s remarks may have been intended as a routine anniversary recognition.
Instead, they revived a larger question many residents believe was never fully answered:
Why was someone allegedly still “learning on the job” placed into one of the most important administrative positions in the city in the first place?
The Political Risk for Nelson
Nelson’s comments also carry political implications beyond Hersch herself.
By strongly tying himself to Hersch’s tenure and repeatedly defending the hiring decision, Nelson is effectively making her administration part of his own political legacy.
That creates additional scrutiny over:
Hiring decisions
Administrative turnover
Departmental controversies
Public records disputes
Financial management
Leadership culture within City Hall
The more aggressively Nelson insists the decision was unquestionably correct, the more attention critics are likely to place on whether the results actually justify that confidence.
Concerns Over Separation of Powers Inside City Hall
Nelson’s remarks also renewed concerns about the proper separation of authority between the Mayor’s Office and the Director of Administration position itself.
Under Franklin’s governmental structure, the Director of Administration is intended to serve as a professional administrative leader responsible for overseeing city operations, personnel coordination, budgeting, and implementation of policy independent of day-to-day political considerations.
Critics argue that Nelson’s comments blurred that distinction.
By repeatedly emphasizing his personal role in selecting Hersch, defending her publicly, and closely associating her accomplishments with his own leadership, Nelson reinforced concerns that the position has become politically tied to the mayor rather than operating as an independent administrative office serving the broader interests of the city.
Those concerns are amplified by Hersch’s prior involvement in Nelson’s mayoral campaign and allegations that more qualified candidates were bypassed during the hiring process.
Critics argue the issue is larger than any individual personality conflict.
It is whether Franklin’s governmental structure is functioning as intended — with independent administrative leadership and meaningful institutional checks — or whether political loyalty has effectively merged executive and administrative authority inside City Hall.
For residents concerned about transparency and accountability, that distinction matters.
The Director of Administration position was designed to provide professional management and operational independence, not simply function as an extension of the mayor’s political operation.
Ongoing Investigation Adds Additional Scrutiny
The renewed scrutiny surrounding Hersch’s role also comes as both Hersch and Mayor John Nelson reportedly remain tied to an active law enforcement investigation.
According to reporting by FCN, investigators obtained a warrant outlining allegations connected to actions involving city leadership. FCN further confirmed directly with the lead investigator at the West Allis Police Department that the investigation has not concluded and remains active and ongoing.
While authorities have not announced criminal charges and no conclusions have been publicly released, the existence of an ongoing investigation adds another layer of public concern surrounding City Hall leadership and accountability.
The investigation has become particularly significant because it overlaps with many of the same issues critics have raised for years, including:
transparency in city government,
political favoritism,
use of public office,
internal decision-making,
and accountability among senior city officials.
Against that backdrop, Nelson’s public celebration of Hersch’s leadership and repeated insistence that her appointment was unquestionably successful is likely to face increased scrutiny from residents who believe unanswered questions still remain.
For critics, the issue is no longer limited to qualifications alone.
It is whether Franklin leadership has consistently placed political loyalty and internal relationships ahead of transparency, public trust, and independent accountability.
The existence of an ongoing investigation does not establish wrongdoing or guilt.
However, Nelson’s decision to publicly celebrate Hersch’s tenure while both remain tied to an unresolved investigation is likely to generate continued public scrutiny moving forward.
Accountability Is Not Personal
None of these questions are personal attacks.
Residents have a right to ask whether public officials selected the most qualified candidate available for a powerful taxpayer-funded position.
They also have a right to revisit those questions when city leadership itself publicly characterizes the position as one that required significant on-the-job learning.
That is not unfair scrutiny.
That is accountability.
This piece reflects the author’s personal opinion and experiences. All statements are presented as commentary protected under the First Amendment. Readers are encouraged to review public records, filings, and documented evidence referenced throughout this article.
Dr. Richard Busalacchi is the Publisher of Franklin Community News, where he focuses on government transparency, community accountability, and local public policy. He believes a community’s strength depends on open dialogue, honest leadership, and the courage to speak the truth—even when it makes powerful people uncomfortable.
The solution isn’t another insider in a new office. It’s sunlight, scrutiny, and the courage to vote differently.
Because until voters demand honest, transparent government, the corruption won’t stop — it will only change titles.
Elections have consequences — and Franklin’s next one may decide whether transparency makes a comeback.
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💬 If you value hard-hitting, fact-based investigative reporting about our hometown of Franklin — follow Franklin Community News on Facebook.
Together, we can keep local government honest, transparent, and accountable
— for the greater good.
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