ELECTION 2017: The losers
The previous post, we talked about the people (and projects) that won in some way, shape or form as a result of the election. Now, let's talk about...
THE LOSERS OF SPRING, 2017
Steve Olson - While a winner of the Mayoral election, the incumbent Franklin Mayor was expected to have an impressive show of support. After all, he was running against Basil Ryan - a person some believed didn't have a shot based on perceived "baggage" the other camp has pressed upon Ryan's political past. However, the landslide and mandate victory never came for the Mayor. He won 54%-46% - less than a 10% difference. While the Baleful Blogger is quick to chide 4th District Alderman Steve Taylor, who won with the same percentage, stating the alderman "might want to get your act together", he may need to offer this same perspective for his mayoral buddy.
The "O Patrol" on Facebook groups - Yeah, we're just going to clump ‘em all together because that's what they've become. A group of roughly ten or so people bouncing around Franklin's Facebook groups to tout Olson’s agenda while using bullying tactics on anyone (including the FT owner) to shut down any opposing views or facts. It was going well with the O Patrol having near domination of the Facebook viewpoints. After awhile, it became clear Olson feared Council President Wilhelm’s strong district support and who she may prefer for mayor. This resulted in hammering not Olson's challenger, but Wilhelm. FT exposed completely inaccurate information pushed by the Baleful Blogger (BB) and Dave Pautz, the mayoral appointee to the Parks Commission. FT’s exposure and comeback resulted in FT's owner being kicked out of the humor/funny group-turned Olson propaganda center, Franklin Open Mic Night. However, BB painfully acknowledged a few wrongful facts losing credibility and later upsetting Franklin's Facebook Group admins by posting when asked not to. FT’s perseverance paid off, with additional research and dot connecting as FT uncovered an O Patrol member, claiming to be "independent", was not so independent. Exposure of some Olson supporters' bully-like tactics, attitudes, and demeanor on Facebook likely repulsed some potential Olson voters. The light shed on groups that things are not always as the bullies want you to believe resulted in questioning the company Olson keeps. This is a realistic discussion for the inner circle of Team Olson on how Olson handles situations like this should it arise again.
"Peko" Pete Kosovich - This is a brief one. The former 4th District alderman ran (again) against Steve Taylor. And, again lost. Taylor was the man who knocked Kosovich out of his aldermanic seat in 2008, and it looks like voters in the 4th District made it clear - as long as Taylor's opponent remains Peko Pete, the votes are swinging toward Taylor. While FT doubts we've heard the last of Kosovich, I'm sure it's the last we've heard of him running for 4th District Alderman as long as Taylor holds the seat.
And, we cannot forget....
The Baleful Blogger (BB)
Olson's run for re-election gave his good bud the blogger time to shine. Unfortunately for both of them, their dirty play backfired.
In December, BB, in coordination with Parks Commission Chairman Dave Pautz went after Council President Wilhelm. Attacks increased once Olson learned of his opponent for fears that Ryan could easily gain more Wilhelm supporters than Olson, and additional discrediting continued. False hammering was mainly related to a completed College Avenue sidewalk unanimously approved by the Council as well as BB and Olson working to turn the table that somehow Pautz was now a victim rather than the attack initiator.
FT can’t think of anything more ridiculous than being against safety for walkers and drivers trying to access 27th St. businesses. The same holds true for how the attacking Parks Chair somehow becomes a victim as he was clearly the false information initiator; falsehoods BB was forced to concede.
Let’s acknowledge BB is not known to present any topic unless it inspires controversy. Let’s all sing Free Speech. However, there is a very negative outcome for Franklin with this type of "create hate" forum.
FT wrote about the company Mayor Olson keeps pointing out how the majority of attacks and negative community images stem from and are centered on Olson’s close company. This very obvious theme can be viewed on most of the Franklin Facebook Group pages.
Group page members eyes are opening to the technique BB’s wife is using to drive people to her husband's blog by sharing links on the pages. Push-backs related to negative comments on the posts caused page administrators to end political postings.
Community acknowledgment that BB is full of negative hot air fed from particular sources, along with the knockout of Internet traffic sources, makes BB the biggest loser of the 2017 election cycle.
Franklin needs to clean its image and leaving the irresponsible world of "create hate" blogging is a perfect place to start. Kudos to the Facebook Group admins for the first step in cleaning Franklin’s image!