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Nelson Campaign Sign Near Director of Administration’s Home Sparks Enforcement Questions

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By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News A dispute over a “Re-Elect Nelson” campaign sign placed near the residence of Franklin Director of Administration Kelly Hersh has raised broader questions about sign ordinance enforcement, political neutrality within city administration, and accountability in City Hall. The issue surfaced after Basil Ryan, a candidate challenging Mayor John Nelson , reported that the sign appeared to be located within the public right-of-way , where Franklin’s municipal code prohibits political signage. What began as a complaint about a single campaign sign has since evolved into a larger debate about who enforces city ordinances when the official responsible for overseeing city administration is involved in the dispute. Sign Dispute Follows Meeting on Stolen Campaign Signs and Placement Rules The controversy surrounding the sign near the residence of the Director of Administration also comes immediately after a meeting held last week by Mayor J...
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Franklin Delays Rock Festival Decision as Nuisance Concerns, Pre-Vote Emails, and Livestream Questions Surface

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By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News The Franklin Common Council voted Tuesday evening to delay action on the extraordinary entertainment permit for ROC Ventures’ Tacos & Tequila and Country Rising festivals , pushing the decision to a future meeting while officials await the results of a long-anticipated sound study. The motion to postpone the permit passed with one dissenting vote from Alderwoman Courtney Day , who has repeatedly argued the issue extends beyond sound levels and may fall under Franklin’s public nuisance ordinance. The delay will also allow Rock Sports Complex owner Mike Zimmerman the opportunity to attend the next meeting and respond directly to questions raised by council members and residents. The decision marks the latest development in a debate that has spanned nearly a decade, with residents from Franklin and neighboring communities raising concerns about amplified music and explicit language from Rock events being audible inside nearby ...
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Taylor, Nelson, Eichmann Face Questions Over Pre-Vote Advocacy on Rock Permit

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Why the Intense Advocacy — and the Email Before the Vote? By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News The question residents are now asking is not whether advocacy occurred — it is why it was so urgent. Multiple sources have indicated that, prior to the vote, Mayor Nelson and Alderwoman Eichmann were actively contacting council members urging approval of the Tacos & Tequila permit. In addition, it has been confirmed that Alderwoman Eichmann sent an email to all Common Council members and the Mayor regarding the item ahead of the meeting. While the email did not explicitly direct members how to vote, individuals who reviewed it described the tone as supportive of approval. Reports also indicate that Milwaukee County Supervisor Steve Taylor — who serves as Executive Director of the ROC Foundation — was communicating with individuals regarding the outcome. During today’s Milwaukee County Parks and Culture Committee meeting, Taylor can be observed on video stepping out and usi...
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Engage Franklin and the $1.5 Million Naming Rights Deal: How Hotel Tax Revenue Flows Through Ballpark Commons (ROC Ventures)

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By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News In Part 1 , we examined ROC Foundation — the nonprofit affiliated with Ballpark Commons that reported executive compensation exceeding program spending in 2023. Part 2 examines a separate but related entity: Engage Franklin , the City’s contracted Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), which operates from the same Ballpark Commons address funds a $1.5 million naming rights agreement using hotel room tax revenue. Individually, these organizations serve different purposes. Structurally, they operate within the same financial ecosystem. What Is Engage Franklin? Engage Franklin describes its mission as: “To serve as a destination marketing organization, engaging in tourism promotion and tourism development that positions Franklin as a premiere destination for sports, meetings/conventions, leisure and corporate travel…” It is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization   . Under the Tourism Entity Agr...
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