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Franklin’s TID 10 – Poth’s General Faces Legal Challenge Over Failure to Meet “But-For” and Blight Requirements

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  By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News A proposed Tax Incremental District tied to the Poth’s General development (TID 10) in the City of Franklin is now facing a formal legal challenge, raising significant questions about whether the project complies with Wisconsin law. In a May 5, 2026 letter to the Franklin Common Council and Joint Review Board (JRB) , attorney Joseph R. Cincotta , representing property owner Linda Mathwig , stated plainly: “The proposed TID No. 10 and the Project Plan that supports it is not in compliance with the TID statute.” The letter, submitted on the eve of the JRB’s consideration of the project, places the City on notice that approval of TID 10 – Poth’s General could be subject to judicial review. The Central Legal Issue: The “But-For” Test At the core of the objection is a foundational requirement of Wisconsin Tax Increment Financing law: a TID may only be approved if the development would not occur “but for” public subsidy. Cin...
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Franklin Officials Must Confront Questions Before Renewing Irish Cottage Liquor License

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  By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News As the Franklin License Committee meets Tuesday evening to review annual liquor license renewals, one application should not be treated as routine. The Class B license for Irish Cottage comes before the committee under the shadow of a fatal and preventable tragedy—one that demands more than a rubber stamp. On November 2, 2024, 74-year-old Franklin resident James Riegling was killed in a head-on crash in a construction zone. According to a Nov. 7, 2024 report by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel , the driver, Leonel Molina Rios, 58, is now facing one count of felony homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and one count of knowingly operating a motor vehicle without a valid license causing death. If convicted, Molina Rios could face up to 31 years in prison and $110,000 in fines. Sentencing is scheduled for Friday, May 22 at 1:30 p.m. in Judge Borowski’s courtroom, Room 502 of the Safety Building. According to the criminal ...
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Multiple Candidates, One Nomination: Why Is the Mayor Shaping the TID #10 JRB Decision?

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  By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News As the Joint Review Board (JRB) prepares to meet to select a public member for Tax Increment District (TID) No. 10—associated with the proposed Poth’s General development , a fundamental question has emerged—one that goes beyond any individual candidate and instead focuses squarely on process. Multiple individuals have now stepped forward expressing interest in serving as the JRB’s citizen member. Yet, the process has continued to center around a single mayoral nomination. If the Joint Review Board is the body that makes the selection, why is the process being shaped around a recommendation from the Mayor? A Process Defined by Statute Under Wisconsin law, the public member of a Joint Review Board is not appointed by the Mayor or Common Council. The position is filled by a majority vote of the Joint Review Board itself . The intent is clear: The public member is to be selected by the independent body responsible for r...
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Nomination, Not Appointment: What Franklin’s JRB Process Reveals About Nelson’s Leadership and Transparency

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By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News There’s been a lot of confusion—and a lot of heat—around Mayor Nelson’s so-called “appointment” to the Joint Review Board based on the reporting of Franklin Today, Greg Kowalski.  Kowalski is now doing the Franklin City Hall PR for Nelson, Eichmann, Taylor, and Wilhelm.  Hey...has anyone seen the paid Franklin PR Contact Mary Christine?  She has gone almost underground like there is an investigation in process? Let’s start with what’s not in dispute: The Mayor does not appoint the public member. The Joint Review Board does . What the law actually says: Under Wisconsin Stat. § 66.1105(4m)(a) , the public (citizen) member of the Joint Review Board is selected by a majority vote of the Joint Review Board . Not the Mayor. Not the Common Council. Not a committee. The Joint Review Board . What actually happened in Franklin February 16 – Joint Review Board appoints Sally Smits as the public member (After Februa...
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Steve Taylor Now Oversees Milwaukee County Finances. His Record at the ROC Foundation Tells a Different Story.

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  By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News When Milwaukee County Supervisor Steve Taylor was named Chair of the County’s Finance Committee this past Tuesday, his message was clear. “I am honored to be trusted with these roles and the responsibility that comes with them,” Taylor said in a recent press release, pledging to “keep pushing for responsible budgeting” and warning that the County faces serious financial challenges. “We need to focus on our core services and make sure we’re being responsible with taxpayer dollars,” he added. Those are the right priorities. But they also raise a fair question: What does Taylor’s own record show about financial management and decision-making? From Public Office to Nonprofit Leadership Before taking on the County’s top financial oversight role, Taylor served in public office during the approval and development of Ballpark Commons in Franklin. During that time, he was involved in actions supporting zoning, financing, a...
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