Neighbors fight for a voice on local issue

Tonight's common council meeting agenda includes Item G7: Selection of alternate design for reconstruction of S. North Cape Road. This should be an interesting discussion.  The last time the city held a meeting on this topic over 100 residents attended. The real issue is whether or not residents have a say in issues that affect them and their neighborhood. The residents on N. Cape Road were presented with two plans. It appears that the city is steering residents toward the plan the city wants, not the plan the residents want.

At the recent city meeting, comment sheets were provided. The majority of comments are opposed to the plan the city is proposing.

North Cape Road Neighborhood Meeting Draws Large Crowd

Over 100 residents turned out for a neighborhood meeting tonight. The meeting was sponsored by the Milwaukee County Dept. of Transportation and the City of Franklin. The purpose of the meeting was to get local input on two design alternatives for a section of North Cape Road from Hi View Drive to S. Carroll Circle. Milwaukee County wants to give North Cape Road to the City of Franklin. The City of Franklin is willing to take it but they want the county to make improvements on the road first before the judicial transfer takes place.

Concerned residents were vocal in expressing their opinions. One of the plans for this rural area of Franklin is to install sidewalks, curbs and gutters to make it an urban setting. Many of the homeowners in attendance want to keep the rural setting but don't want the ditch expanded and the loss of trees on their properties. The Franklin common council will take up this issue at the January 21, 2014 meeting.

Did Franklin Common Council Get It Right?

At the January 7, 2014 Franklin Common Council meeting, the following item was discussed: item #5, "Ordinance to Amend the Municipal Code to Provide for the Prevention of Blight Created by the Boarding Up of Windows upon Unoccupied Dwelling Structures." The City of Franklin is having problems with homes that are unoccupied due to the downturn in the housing market. Many of these homes are bank owned as a result of foreclosure action. Banks and other owners, in an attempt to eliminate vandalism, have elected to board up the windows. The common council has now amended the municipal code to prevent this practice.

If the council knows from past experience that vandalism will occur, what are they doing to make sure vandalism stops in our neighborhoods? The other side of the question is -- how are the police involved and how are they fighting vandalism in our community?

Franklin residents don't want to look at blighted homes. But nobody wants vandalism either. Did the common council deal with the real problem?

Basil Ryan Resumes Franklin Independent Journal

Basil Ryan has decided to continue the work he and his dear friend, Fred Keller, started several years ago. Out of consideration, respect, and in Fred's memory, the Franklin Independent Journal will resume.

Fred passed away April 24, 2013 after a long battle with cancer. Fred was the heart and soul of the Franklin Independent Journal. Basil Ryan stated, "Fred was a good friend. It is my privilege to continue publishing the Franklin Independent Journal in his memory."

The Franklin Independent Journal will continue the policy of publishing stories written by Franklin residents about topics concerning the Franklin community. 

Medal of Honor Recipient Conflicted by Joy and Sadness

 ARMY Version of CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OG HONOROn February 12 at a White House ceremony the president award Army Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation's highest military honor.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty...

Read the full citation here.

Fact Check on Obama's State of the Union Address

Can Obama keep promises on the  deficit?

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Video of the Day: History of Valentine’s Day

VIDEO

Over $58 billion of unclaimed money in the U.S.

Over $58 billion of unclaimed money in the U.S.

Lauren Simonetti  of Fox Bisiness Network provides some places to look for yours.  So,  not only does  our government spend more than it taks in, it can't even keep track of the money they have take from us—but Obama and the Dems always want more.

Do you have money that is owed to you and your family? Visit Unclaimedmoney.org

This Day in History: Patty Hearst Kidnapped

On this day in 1974, Patty Hearst, the 19-year-old daughter of newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst, is kidnapped from her apartment in Berkeley, California by two black men and a white woman, all three of whom are armed. Her fiance, Stephen Weed, was beaten and tied up along with a neighbor who tried to help. Witnesses recalled seeing a struggling Hearst being carried away blindfolded and finally put in the trunk of a car.  Neighbors who came out into the street were forced to take cover after the kidnappers fired their guns to cover their escape.

Hit and Miss ads From Super Bowl XLVII

Here are the so-called”hit and miss” ads from Super Bowl XLVII.

Click here for more on the “Paul Harvey commercial (The Ram brand declares 2013 the Year of the Farmer).

Video of the Day: Know your Rights— BUSTED: The Citizen's Guide to Surviving Police Encounters

As you will see in this video the wrong word could potentially change your life forever.

The Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights is made up of ten separate amendments, dealing with issues ranging from free speech and unjust searches to religious liberty and cruel and unusual punishment.  Read more.

This Day in History: 3,106-Carat Diamond Found in Africa

On this day in 1905, at the Premier Mine in Pretoria, South Africa, a 3,106-carat diamond is discovered during a routine inspection by the mine's superintendent. Weighing 1.33 pounds, and christened the "Cullinan," it was the largest diamond ever found.

RELATED STORY

• Queen of diamonds: Together for the first time, the royal gems all cut from one legendary stone (UK Daily Mail)

Video of the Day: Queen Michelle Rolls Eyes at John Boehner—Video Goes Viral

The first lady’s new bangs did not conceal the queen’s eye roll after listening to a comment from the Ohio Republican congressman and Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner and who incidentally, is second in line to the presidency.  Could the queen's ill-manners and behavior become a liability to her husband in his second term?

If the queen  can’t mind her manners at the grown up’s table,  maybe she should be moved back to the “kid’s table." (a.k.a. cards table).

She’s obviously no Jacquelyn Kennedy or Laura Bush.

Video of the Day: The Presidents- Washington to Monroe 1789-1825

President Obama was sworn into office on Sunday just before noon, officially beginning another four-year term. “I did it,” Obama said to the first lady, new bangs and all and his two daughters Sasha and Malia.  Meet America'f first five presidents

America’s 44^th president is now a lame-duck president.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

―  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

OPENING LYRICS to this song:

One man come in the name of love
One man come and go
One man come here to justify
One man to overthrow
In the name of love!
One man in the name of love
In the name of love!... Full lyrics here

Tuesday, January 21 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, now known as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

Here is U2 performing “In The Name Of Love,” A tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. from the group's album " “The Unforgettable Fire.”

More from John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute.

Update on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 7:53 AM by Basil Ryan

Five interesting facts about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

O’Reilly: “Are We responsible for the chaos that is enveloping America?”

This “Talking Points”  commentary “by  Bill O’Reilly aired last night, January 18, and, in our opinion, rings true in many respects; foremost—elections have consequences .

• U.S. Government's Fiscal Years 2012 and 2011 Consolidated Financial Statements (GAO-13-271R, Jan 17, 2013)

Founding Fathers’ Quotes You Should Know

We’re particularly fond of Benjamin Franklin’s quotes at the beginning of this video.

Resource: "When governments fear the people, there is liberty..."

Founder’s Quote Daily: Political Leaders

“It behooves you, therefore, to think and act for yourself and your people. The great principles of right and wrong are legible to every reader; to pursue them requires not the aid of many counselors. The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest. Only aim to do your duty, and mankind will give you credit where you fail.”— Thomas Jefferson:  A Summary View of the Rights of British America

This Week’s Most Popular Stories

What are Your Neighbor’s Reading?

Here are  the three most popular stories onFIJ this week to-date.  Here is what your neighbors are reading.

1. City Adds Confusion to Sewer Tax Issue
2. Franklin School Board sets the bar for Dysfunctional Government
3. Georgetown Law Professor Elaborates on his ‘Downright Evil’ Constitution Claim

Thank you for reading.

Obama Single-handedly Amends Second Amendment 19 Times

White House Plan on Guns to Include 19 Executive Actions

Obama Clearly Out of Touch With Americans on Gun Control and the Second Amendment

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•  
• Gun Sales Surge with New Restrictions Expected out of D.C. (FNC video report)