In the Race

Wasn't Taylor the joker who waved around the vast majority of the FranklinNow bloggers' property tax records during a recent Common Council meeting in an attempt to silence them?

SteveEgg,

No, that was Alderman Lyle Sohns, former Common Council President.

Steve Taylor is the newly elected Alderman from District #4.  Alderman Taylor, like all of the Aldermen, didn't sign a tax pledge but did state, " I didn’t sign a tax pledge but I’m not going to vote on a budget that’s over 3%."

Alderman Lyle Sohns - Bloggers' Tax Records at Common Council Meeting 5-20-08- Item G7

I am surprised with regards to Steve's comments.  I merely stated my disappointment in his decision along with the mayor's with regards to the planning commission appointment of Pete Kosovich or in general the process as a whole.  I'm sure there were plenty of people who did not have as many negatives against them as Pete Kosovich.

If I wanted to contact Steve directly for a one-to-one; I would have done so earlier.  My anonymity doesn't make my comments false nor does it legitimize them anymore If I would use my real name.  I also have not attacked Steve or Tom, but merely stated what I believe to be a legitimate issue that by me stating it on the blogs reaches many more people and that is that the former alderman lacks good judgment and probably doesn't have the experience necessary to be effective in his role on the planning commission.  Anyone can comment on this if I am wrong, but wasn't Pete Kosovich on the Franklin CC when this Zizzo Group issue began.  The former alderman at that time should have recognized that spending $300+ for their consulting on this topic based upon this group's previous work was not a sound decision.  At that time Pete Kosovich should have stepped up anywhere at anytime and condemned such spending on behalf of the Franklin tax payers.  That would have been a defining moment and would have illustrated experience in making touch business choices.  Now, to place someone on a commission with a significant amount of power in the community when he lacks in my view sound fiscal responsibility and judgement, a conflict of interest with his property on 27th street, voted out of office by his constituents and has no formal background in business development or a degree in business operations etc. is in my view a bad decision.  I stand by that decision and welcome anyone to engage me in a conversation on that matter.

I voted for Steve Taylor and I am happy about his pledge to keep down taxes along with the Mayors; however, I do not believe they made a very thought out decision and I did not care for the tone of the alderman's response posted today.  If the alderman chooses to not listen to any of my comments that is his own free will and I will not judge him on that.

Good thing I didn't run with it.  Still, that episode is Exhibit C (just in Wisconsin over the last year) of why some bloggers do remain anonymous.

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Apollo I have to disagree with you.  

While being have anonymity doesn't make your comments false, it does lose impact and respect.  I think real names do legitimize them anymore.  If it is a true convection and your comment is true as well, then so should your name.  Along with the true real name comes true purpose.  With anonymity, words no longer have action or consequences.  With anonymity, inaction of consequences is lost.  In Cudahy, many city people use fake user names, for fear of backlash or the freedom to say what they want without a consequence.  Unlike the comment box at work, anonymity in posting does loose value.

Now many people use their real full name and that is great.  People will know who you truly are and some readers may come up to you on the street, at a meeting, at the store to talk to you.  The biggest portion of people just alias usernames.  One needs to ask the question why?  Most want to hide something.  My Community Now requires us to show full name and a picture as a blogger.  When you as a reader signup for your user name you are given the chance to pick whatever you want, I would hope you use your real name and not an alias.

Apollo,

I first want to say to you and any readers that Alderman Taylor, while providing messages to citizens, won't be commenting on the blogs.  He will gladly accept any communications from citizens through the City website email, or by phone.  He has signed on and made a comment before, but that was when I was at a School Board meeting and had made an error on my blog about him and it needed to be addressed.  That is his choice, and as you have noticed, I believe we have only seen Alderman Steve Olson make comments on the blogs.

That said, I personally agree with your sentiments regarding Pete Kosovich in your last comment regarding the CC and Zizzo and also regarding his appointment to the Plan Commission I believe he would be better suited on another Committee/Board).

I have personally let my opinions be known to my Alderman regarding his vote, by phone.  

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SteveEgg,

I believe Alderman Taylor probably was aiming his post at commenters, rather than bloggers...and just used the terms "bloggers" and "blogging" in general.  I can't say that for sure...but we/I could email him to find that out.

Wow...

To be frank, I'm caught in the middle on this. I understand Taylor's points, but I also understand why someone would want to remain anonymous.

Anyways, I don't understand Hollenbeck's stance, since he was posting comments under aliases when the Wal-Mart discussion was a little heated. Blogging Blue, "No Cudahy Wal-Mart," and my blog discuss that matter rather in-depth. It was decided to make that known because of the fact that Randy is a NOW blogger and leading a recall attempt against the Cudahy Mayor, and also has been posting comments under his own name (as well as the alias).

Apollo should have every right to be an outspoken resident. We typically have more free discussions when people can have the right to not reveal too much about themselves. Now if Apollo is a city commissioner in disguise, I think my stance will become similar to Mr. Hollenbeck's. I do remain consistent in my beliefs.

I'm a supporter of Common Council President Taylor, and as I said before I understand the reasoning, but I don't think I can fully agree with it.

Greg as I told Mr. Zippy/ Zach I was not blogging as Tom as you all decided to make me guilty.  I have an IP blog coming up that may help you understand what you think you know about IP.  I have no problem getting into people’s face with my own name.  As I told your partner it doesn’t matter what I say, you found me guilty and never asked.  Just assumed facts.  

How about taking that back to the other blog(s)...I don't want to get into that here.  That's between you three.

Talk about :

Political figures rarely or never comment on blogs etc.  In today's age, gaffes happen so much even though everyone works their best to script every last comment.  I do not fault Senator Lazich or Alderman Taylor for not responding to people on the blogs, it can easily get out of hand as we have seen so many times before.  Henry Ford II wouldn't even sign his name on a piece of paper many times because he supposedly didn't want it to fall into the wrong hands and I would suspect Steve Taylor does not want to comment on the blogs because as I stated things could get out of hand and it leaves a written digital record for everyone to point back to on what he said.  With that being said I don't think Steve would go against his word, but why open Pandora's Box for it to become a potential problem.  This is only my assumption, but I don't care that he doesn't discuss any of his positions or other topics with the people of Franklin on these blogs.  If he doesn't want to comment on the blogs that is his choice and then why should I not be anonymous which is my choice.

Here's another bad Pete Kosovich issue, unlike Steve Taylor who did the right thing by not accepting any developer's contributions to his campaign didn't Pete Kosovich take those funds?  I can't remember from Greg's past blog.  Since Pete took their money; he should be no where near the planning commission.  If I am wrong on this contributions issue please step up and correct me.

Interesting how none of the readers even seem to speak up for Pete Kosovich.  Pete could even speak up for himself anonymous or not.

I have to somewhat agree with Apollo and Greg, LarryM is not even my name.  I am a city person, not Franklin, that needs the protection of being anonymous.  We all wear  masks to hide our true identity.  Apollo does it by hiding his whole name, some just blog with their first name, which may not be real, some use another blog to hide behind. Be nice on this one, but that one rip people apart. Some people just don’t want their position to be known.  While I agree with Randy to be taken more serious a full name will do that. Just think if you get an a reply from Spiderman or Mark Schmidt which one would you most likely believe?  Trust me your city people read this and do blog, you just don’t know it.  It would be nice if everyone did use their real name and stated how they really feel.  Then again it would would be nice not to be ganged up on.  I do think that everyone who does a blog should use real info, I am sure they don’t want that.  When they rant, they can be held accountable.  In closing, Randy touched on good points, just in a world as such we live in it will not work. Most people hiding their identity do have special info, they are cowards or do not want to be tied to a postion that is known.  Hide in the weeds they call that.  If Randy’s world of fairness ever became real, we would be better off.  I just don’t see it happening with the people who dominate the blogs, newsmedia, city hall, or most places.  The message is valiant, but the people are not.

Arguments w/o merit or clear understanding of the substantial damage one could do to one another in this electronic information age only by knowing their name will know longer be responded to.