Political firestorm erupts over Kayla's Playground going to a County Park
Not even 24 hours have past and already the politicians in Franklin have dug their heels for or against the choice of Froemming Park and Lions Legend Park as the 1st and 2nd options for Kayla's Playground.
Speaking with the Franklin NOW after the Council meeting, Mayor Steve Olson was very upset over the Council's decision. claiming "who the hell knows when the playground will be built". More recently, he took to Facebook and vented his frustration to the public.
"Last evening the Common Council, specifically, Ald. Wilhelm, Mayer and Schmidt put the project in the hands of Milwaukee County. This is a huge setback for Kayla's Krew that just may kill the project." said Olson.
Just how bad is the timetable of locating Kayla's Playground on a Milwaukee County Park? I spoke with County Supervisor Jason Haas, who sits on the County's Parks, Energy, and Recreation Committee and asked him just that.
"(Froemming Park) will go through the normal process. When the (lease and fiscal) analysis is done, and when the Parks Dept is ready, a presentation will be made at Parks Committee." Supervisor Haas noted that the Committee met already for this month, and the next meeting isn't scheduled until April. "(The Department) will make its recommendations. The Parks Committee gets it, and if approved, in two weeks it's heard by the full board. If approved there, it goes to County Executive Chris Abele for his signature." Haas believes the timetable could work out, if the approvals happen in a timely fashion and Abele approves of the idea.
Two of Franklin's County Supervisors, Steve Taylor and Mark Borkowski, have been working behind the scenes as well to help move the process along.
"I recently arranged a meeting which included Parks Director Dargle, Supervisor Borkowski and myself to discuss this possibility. The conversation was very positive and there was a strong willingness the assist the City if asked." Taylor told the Common Council. In regard to any politics hampering the process, Taylor provided this thought to Franklin Today readers: "This issue has nothing to do with liberal or conservative. This is a playground and I would be shocked if politics got involved. Those on (the County) Board who oppose this would look foolish."
Back in Franklin, the Mayor's choice of words has received criticism from Common Council President Kristen Wilhelm, who replied directly on his Facebook post that his remarks were "misleading on so many levels". Franklin developer and operator of The Rock Sports Complex, Mike Zimmerman, also responded to Olson's remarks about the County by saying, "I don't think it's fair to imply County won't be a terrific partner/option. As a reminder The Rock is a Milwaukee County project. I have had only good experiences with County, so I suggest to you that this is forward movement."
Due to the nature of these concerns and implications this could have, Franklin Today has reached out to Mayor Olson with the hopes he could help clarify a few things. When he replies back, it will be shared with all of you.