By Franklin Community News 🔑 Key Points:  “Crank up the sound” — developer Mike Zimmerman and ally Steve Taylor brushed off residents’ early concerns, setting the tone for a decade of disregard. Emergency Meeting, Sept. 2023 — Mayor Nelson, Zimmerman, Taylor, and Hersh mocked residents, calling them “terrorists” , “Karens” , and “crazy.” UDO Changed in 2025 — Franklin raised legal noise caps from 55 dB ➝ 65 dB , despite residents saying they could hear concerts “word for word” inside their homes. County RSG Study ($200k) — validated residents’ complaints but was blocked by Zimmerman, monitors left broken, and recommendations ignored. JPM Study ($78.5k) — approved in Feb. 2025 but delayed for months ; Zimmerman only signed after Nelson confronted him at the Umbrella Bar in August. The study began after the Milkmen season, making results meaningless. Complaints vs. “No Data” — Nelson admits he reviews complaints with the police chief weekly. No citations iss...

By Franklin Community News 📝 Editor’s Note The Town of Waterford’s announcement of Captain Tim O’Neill as its new Police Chief has renewed public discussion about Franklin Mayor John Nelson’s record as a former Waterford Lieutenant. In light of that decision, Franklin Community News is publishing this review of Nelson’s career-long pattern of misconduct and resignation. 🔑 Key Points Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office (1998–2011): Nelson was the subject of multiple internal investigations into harassment and misconduct. He resigned mid-investigation and sued to block the release of records. Waterford Police Department (2012–2024): Investigation transcripts show harassment of female officers, falsified hours, misuse of resources for his Franklin mayoral campaign, and retaliation against whistleblowers. Nelson resigned in June 2024 before the investigation concluded. Franklin Mayor (2023–Present): Misuse of office for developers, taxpayer-funded political interference throu...

📌 Fact Summary A disorderly conduct citation was rooted in Alderwoman Michelle Eichmann’s "anonymous" complaint that she “felt threatened” by the blog phrase “for the greater good” — even though the Franklin police admitted there were “no direct threats.” The citation itself contained no conduct, time, or location — and ADA John Letsch marked it “no process” the very next day. Despite this, the citation and blog language were later used in victim impact statements as if they were valid proof of misconduct. A key Franklin police report (Oct. 13–14, 2024) was withheld from the defense for nearly six months , yet the complainant had access and referenced it at the October 24 bond hearing. Critical recordings of meetings with Nelson, Eichmann, and Taylor were never released, even though reports referenced them. Officer Elm made a false statement on video, claiming he had warned about bail jumping — contradicted by his own bodycam. Officials’ own words...