BULLSEYE

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I for one would not be surprised to learn that most readers of Kevin Fischer’s blog, This Just In…, would pass with flying colors, the Mensa International qualifying test. In fact, I’m fairly confident that at least one of Kevin’s readers is already a member of Mensa, a group whose IQ is in the top 2% of the population.

Fischer’s April 1 post entitled “My final thoughts on the Franklin School Board race,” began this way:

A reader contacted me to suggest that since Fred Keller and I pursued tax pledges from Franklin mayoral candidates and from our aldermanic candidates in District 3, we really, in all fairness, should propose the same pledge to candidates running for the Franklin School Board...

Like I said, PURE GENIUS!

Inspired by this reader’s brilliance, I thought to myself, “Self, why not give sitting Franklin Alderman the opportunity to join Mayor Taylor in his Tax Pledge to Franklin citizens?” After all, Mayor Taylor represents all Franklin citizens, including those in each of Franklin’s six Aldermanic Districts.

Readers may recall that on Saturday, March 30. 2008, Mayor Taylor signed the following pledge:

I pledge if elected to another term as Mayor of the City of Franklin that I will not recommend an annual budget to the City's Finance Committee that exceeds a 3% tax levy increase. This pledge is related to the years 2008 to 2011.

Thomas M. Taylor

Candidate for Mayor

I am mow in the procss of emailing the following letter to every seated Alderman on the Common Council:

Dear [Alderman’s Name]:

I am certain by now that you are aware that on Saturday, March 30, 2008, I met with Mayor Taylor and he signed the following pledge to the citizens of Franklin:

I pledge if elected to another term as Mayor of the City of Franklin that I will not recommend an annual budget to the City's Finance Committee that exceeds a 3% tax levy increase. This pledge is related to the years 2008 to 2011.

On the heels of Mayor Taylor’s re-election, I respectfully ask that you join Mayor Taylor’s lead and sign an identical document that corresponds with your remaining term in office.

I am prepared to meet with you at your convenience this week, or at the Tuesday, April 15, 2008, Common Council meeting, to have you sign such a pledge.

Thank you for you consideration, I look forward to hearing from you.

Respectfully,

Fred V. Keller

Franklin Elector

I encourage concerned Franklin taxpayers to send a similar letter or email to their Alderman, or Alderwoman. The email addresses for seated Alderman can easily be found on the City of Franklin website.

Good Luck!