Mayor Olson vetoes Council decision on Kayla's Playground

The decision by the Common Council to locate Kayla's Playground at Froemming Park is going to receive Mayor Steve Olson's first veto since becoming Mayor in 2014. This also puts more controversy over a playground where its supporters wanted it to become a community-building, unifying project for present and future generations of Franklin residents. This decision was heavily applauded by Kayla's Playground proponents, who view it as another chance to get the playground built at Pleasant View Park.

What are the next steps? Mayor Olson called for a special Common Council meeting for next Monday night at 5:30pm. If the veto is sustained, it reverts back to the selection process yet again for the Common Council. This would enable Runte's organization, which is already mobilizing their supporters to fill up City Hall for the meeting, to argue more strongly to put it at Pleasant View Park. While putting the playground at Pleasant View Park would fulfill the wish of Runte that the park be chosen for the site, it would happen under immense scruntiny and questionable political tactics to get it done. If the Council, however, overrides the veto, the plan stays on course and work with the County to get it done at Froemming Park continues.

Reflecting upon this veto decision, Milwaukee County Supervisor Steve Taylor expressed disappointment with the turn of events.

"It is up to the city where they build Kayla's Playground. Froemming Park is an option I put out there because it was becoming obvious that the previous location wasn't going to work," Taylor stated. "The Mayor has the right to veto the Council's action but what message is he sending to the County?"

Speaking in regard to issues between the City of Franklin and Milwaukee County, Taylor expressed frustration of his own.

"On one hand he is asking the County for tennis courts and a dog park and asking for our assistance on his three development proposals including a land swap. On the other hand he is spewing anti-Milwaukee County political rhetoric." Taylor remarked. "If he doesn't feel he can work with the County on a playground then I don't think the County should work with (Mayor Olson) on his other ventures."