In 2016 we approved bonds for funding road rehabilitation. I was told recently that residents need to be careful what they are voting on because this ballot measure included wording about drainage and safety improvements. The only people believing this tortured explanation are new resident’s that were not around at the time the road bonds were approved.
It is accurate that there was wording in the ballot language to allow “Safety Improvements”, along with other things like drainage.
The issue is the only safety improvements discussed were relocating boulders placed in the right of way.
- Sidewalks were NEVER discussed or considered
- Lighting was NEVER discussed or considered
This is a disingenuous attempt by our council majority to justify an unethical misuse of taxpayer funds, and is being pushed by residents from the “connect franklin” group that have no idea how they are being used to spread misinformation.
Truth
Everyone who was here at the time and voted on the road bonds understood this money to be used for road improvements. The misallocation of these funds to lighting and sidewalks because the words “safety improvements” were in the ballot language is disingenuous at best.
We do need to be more careful with our votes in the future. Next time we get a request like this for a general sum of money they “estimate” it will cost we need to REJECT IT.
Future
In the future we need council to provide us with the plans, the estimates, and the expected costs before we approve anything.
Franklin Villagers 