Posts

After Threat of Legal Action Against News Outlet, Alderwoman Eichmann Posts Subscriber-Only Article — Then Deletes It

Image
By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News In early February, Franklin City leadership formally sought authority to issue a cease-and-desist order against an independent news outlet , Franklin Community News (FCN) over alleged “unlicensed” use of the City’s trademark logo. Two weeks later, Alderwoman Eichmann posted full screenshots of a subscriber-only Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article on a government page — effectively bypassing the newspaper’s paywall — and then deleted the post after questions were raised. The sequence raises more than procedural questions. It raises constitutional ones. February 3: Formal Request to Authorize Legal Action At the February 3, 2026 Common Council meeting, an agenda item titled: “Unlicensed Use of City of Franklin Trademark Logo” sought authorization: “to issue a cease and desist order to the publisher of Franklin Community News…”   The agenda packet asserted that the City is: “the sole owner of all right, title and i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Council Stands Firm, Delays Rock Festivals as Leadership Split Emerges

Image
By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News Franklin’s Common Council voted 6-0 on February 18 to postpone approval of ROC Ventures’ 2026 Country Rising and Tacos & Tequila festivals until March 3, following a lengthy debate that shifted from decibel limits to whether explicit concert content audible in residential homes may constitute a public nuisance under city code. The decision came after an initial motion to approve the extraordinary entertainment permits failed for lack of a second. While sound levels and a pending third-party acoustics study were discussed extensively, the most significant policy dispute centered on whether compliance with decibel limits is sufficient when explicit lyrics can still be heard inside nearby homes. Residents Urge Council to Halt Permits Several residents addressed the council, many urging officials not to approve the permits until meaningful mitigation is implemented. Andrew Pelkey asked the council to “do something different this year...
2 comments
Read more

Steve Taylor and Kristen Wilhelm Dismiss Residents — But the Questions Remain

Image
By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News Former Alderman Kristen Wilhelm and election campaign member for the Nelson re-election campaign post titled “Residents Deserve the Full Picture” claims that misinformation surrounded the February 16 Joint Review Board (JRB) meeting and portrays former Mayor Steve Olson as grandstanding and divisive. If residents deserve the full picture, then it is important to address what was actually said — and what was not. Clarification: Contrary to statements made by Kristen Wilhelm, Olson made no statements at the Joint Review Board (JRB) meeting. The comments referenced were not made by Olson.  Statements asking that the agenda be suspended to allow for public comment were made at the beginning of the meeting and at the end of the meeting by former Mayor Tom Taylor. No One Was Confused About the Agenda Wilhelm asserts that “misinformation was widely distributed” mischaracterizing the JRB meeting as a public hearing. Residents u...
Post a Comment
Read more