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A Logo Was Treated as a Threat. A Political Endorsement Was Not

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Franklin’s Council moved swiftly against a corrected logo — while ignoring a public political endorsement by its top administrator. By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News At Tuesday night’s Common Council meeting (2-3-26), the City of Franklin voted to authorize cease-and-desist letters related to the alleged misuse of a logo similar to the City’s. The stated justification was the potential for “confusion” among residents — specifically, the concern that use of the logo could imply official City endorsement. The motion, made by Alderwoman Day, directed the City to notify any entity using the logo without permission. On its face, the action was framed as neutral and preventative — a step taken to protect the City’s identity and avoid misleading the public. The record of the meeting, however, tells a far more complicated story. A problem that no longer existed As acknowledged on the record by the City’s own legal counsel, the logo at issue had already been changed afte...
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Franklin Council Agenda Item Targeting FCN Raises Broader Questions Over Branding & City Practices

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The proposal requested by Mayor Nelson follows sustained reporting and records requests, as comparable branding by City officials remains unexamined. By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News FRANKLIN, Wis. — The Franklin Common Council will consider an agenda item Tuesday, February 3, 2026, authorizing enforcement action against Franklin Community News (FCN) for alleged misuse of City branding. The proposal comes amid a prolonged and increasingly contentious dispute between City leadership and the local news outlet over public records, enforcement practices, and reporting critical of elected officials. The agenda item seeks authorization for the Mayor to issue a cease-and-desist order based on the City’s claim that FCN’s logo created a misleading impression of municipal authority or endorsement. FCN disputes that characterization and states that at no time prior to the agenda posting did the City of Franklin contact FCN to raise concerns about its branding, re...
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Complaint Ties Multiple Citations, Police Action, and Council Agenda to Critics of Mayor Nelson

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A Fire & Police Commission filing and public records raise questions about selective enforcement, taxpayer cost, and a new City Council action targeting Franklin Community News. By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News FRANKLIN, Wis. — A formal complaint filed with the Franklin Fire & Police Commission is now tying together a series of municipal actions that include multiple disorderly conduct citations issued to different Franklin residents after criticism of Mayor John Nelson , significant taxpayer-funded legal costs, and a newly proposed City Council action targeting a local news publisher. The complaint, filed January 31, 2026, follows earlier reporting by Franklin Community News documenting that at least four Franklin residents were cited under municipal disorderly conduct or related ordinances after publicly criticizing Mayor Nelson or City leadership , while elected officials who criticized residents or disparaged critics did not face comp...
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