Working within the system: Call me commissioner

On Election Day, I titled a blog entry "Becoming an agent of change: Inspired by Barack Obama." 

In it, I talked about being moved to participation in city government by the mere chance that someone like Barack Obama might be elected President of the United States. Whether he won or not, I wrote, I would heed the advice of two alderpersons who promised to advocate for me if I made myself available for the city of Franklin's Plan Commission.

And Obama won. He was not merely elected, but swept in on a tide of can-do spirit that crossed generational, racial and even partisan barriers. When I told my 10 year-old daughter the next morning what had happened the night before, I could barely get through the sentence, "We elected Barack Obama as our next President," so significant was the lump in my throat.

A New Day, indeed.

So I turned in the Volunteer Fact Sheet (go ahead and read it: Download MICHLIG Volunteer Sheet rev) that the city asks all candidates for committees, commissions and councils to fill out. The stars were aligned: A fresh vacancy on the Plan Commission; two aldermen advocating for my appointment (as well as, I'm told, some lobbyists "on the inside,"); I got a nice note from the outgoing Plan Commissioner that seemed to indicate that she would like to see me in the seat she vacated. 

In the Fact Sheet I checked the single group I was interested in: Plan Commission. 

So, I'm a shoo-in, right?

Not exactly. Last week I heard from the city clerk: The mayor would like to know if he can nominate me for a seat on the Economic Development Commission.

Well, that's humbling. Suddenly I am in awe of Pete Kosovich, the ex-alderman who managed to get an appointment to the commission for which I truly believed I'd demonstrated fairly keen aptitude and insight (and for which I'd sacrificed a significant acreage of grey matter) over a couple of years - in public -  via this blog.  (

Download Kosovich fact sheet rev)

I will address the question you almost certainly have in mind: Do I think my name on the Plan Commission would have caused consternation among certain developers and thus created some grief for the mayor and/or aldermen who would have approved my nomination? Answer: Yes.

I am nothing if not empathetic.

So, a bit of a disappointment. But, true to the spirit of The New Day, I took the position on the EDC. At the Common Council meeting last night, after some very flattering words by Mayor Taylor (for which I'm grateful), I was unanimously approved by the council.

The EDC's mission and powers are as follows:

The mission of the Economic Development Commission is to promote and enhance the image of the City of Franklin, actively pursue commercial and industrial business development/investment for relocation into the City of Franklin within the goals and guidelines of the Common Council, work with the business community in the retention and expansion of businesses already within the City, and promote the City in various manners as a good place to live and do business.

The EDC meets approximately once a month. It's had 11 meetings scheduled this year; 6 of them have been cancelled.

But I remain optimistic, and will strive to grasp at least a bit of Robert's Rules of Order before our first meeting tomorrow (Thursday) at 6 pm. My daughter will probably be there as well because we won't be able to get a sitter - - but I'd also like her to see a bit of participatory democracy in action. Watch the old man wade in. 

Let's see what we can make of this ...

(See my "Additional experience or qualifications" sheet in the extended.)

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE OR QUALIFICATIONS: List any other experience, skills, or other qualifications, including hobbies, which you believe should be considered in evaluating your qualifications for volunteering. 

There’s no question that we’re entering crucial period wherein Franklin’s planning philosophy and practices will be severely tested by a swarm of local and national factors. To remain vital, Franklin will have to weigh wildly divergent issues—everything from rising fuel costs and property taxes to “eyes on the street” and community-building aesthetics—in decisions made with regard to its built environment and growth plan. 

Through my blog, I have introduced new language and concepts into Franklin’s public planning, development and political conversation. For the past year and a half, I’ve made a careful (and still ongoing) study of the issues and myriad factors involved in managing and growing a suburb like Franklin. I’ve created and maintain a blog entitled SPRAWLED OUT through which I’ve carefully tracked and discussed growth issues as well as individual developments here in Franklin. In the course of my immersion into the world of city planning, I’ve amassed (and digested) a prodigious library of books, articles and papers covering the many issues facing cities, developers and planners; whether or not I am appointed to a city commission, I will remain very well-informed about the development issues facing Franklin, and I will work for greater transparency in the development process. It’s become clear to me, however, that an effective plan commission needs the input and active “inside” participation of someone with my breadth of knowledge in—and enthusiasm for—the many disciplines impacting city development. 

In addition to tax-base considerations, we must remember that our public buildings and spaces are a reflection of who we are as a community and as a people. That is not simply an aesthetic viewpoint. My observations have led me to believe that Franklin is danger of being passed over by significant—and revenue-enhancing—development opportunities as long as it presents itself in the frayed and disjointed manner that too often characterizes our development process. Frequently, our process encourages lowest common denominator projects as a result—not a good reflection on Franklin as a community, and not a magnet to further revenue-enhancing (and community enhancing) development. I would make it a priority to re-assess the entire development oversight process from start to finish. 

My professional expertise is in synthesizing myriad concepts and difficult-to-grasp ideas into compelling, easily comprehended narratives. One of the keys to attracting and accommodating forward-thinking, revenue-enhancing development is the ability to communicate effectively and clearly to all parties. Developers know what to expect; the public knows what’s in store and the costs and benefits they can expect. Simply put: You can expect more from developers when your growth agenda is clearly delineated and well stated. 

This skill set came to bear in 2002 when, as part of a comprehensive program designed to energize the Racine-Kenosha area, I was hired by the Racine County Economic Development Corporation to create “user friendly” materials and communication touchpoints derived from the Racine County Strategic Economic Development Plan. Toward that end, I condensed the Racine County Economic Plan into a comprehensible format for use in the annual report, stand-alone printed materials, and RCEDC website. 

Most significantly, I conceived the “SimRacine” concept and activity, which used the popular SimCity game to drive home concepts of city planning and inter-disciplinary cooperation with participating community leaders. The program also created greater media comprehension of complicated development issues, and therefore positive media impressions resulted for the efforts of the RCEDC. “SimRacine” was popular and effective enough that the Johnson family (SC Johnson is a significant contributor to all Racine-Kenosha development efforts) asked for a private session. 

On the strength of my work for RCEDC, I was also hired as a consultant in a program development capacity for the Sustainable Racine organization, for which I wrote a promotional film and copy for various brochures and press releases. 

I am an enthusiastic follower and early-adopter in the constantly-evolving field of technology-assisted communication and visioning, which we will need to deploy in the areas of nuts and bolts planning and communication of those plans and growth models to the general public. In order to deftly balance sustainability factors and growth—therefore encouraging Franklin’s financial well-being—we’ll need to educate the public and developers in the most effective and transparent manner possible.

Comments

[Fred Keller]

Good Luck, John!

[Janet Evans]

Congratulations, John. Well deserved. I was enlightened by your Volunteer sheet. You would have made a good fit on the Plan Commission.

Perhaps some city officials do not read the materials submitted by applicants; thoroughly, that is. Perhaps they only read the names of the applicants.

[Cindy]

You do understand this was a "Sit John. Sit." command, right? The mayor can't be accused of dismissing an applicant's interest; you are handing over development grants for new liquor licenses. (At least that's all Brookfield's EDC manages to accomplish. But then, maybe Franklin doesn't have to use reserve licenses.)

[John Michlig]

I'll have to get through a couple meetings before I pass judgment.

I look at it as a little toe-dip.

[Jeff]

Congrats, John. I must say I'm disappointed that the Mayor didn't offer you the spot on the Plan Commission, as you've demonstrated an immense bank of knowledge in that department. In time...

Thanks also for offering your time and service to the community - I know you don't have much free time to spare!

[Bryan Maersch]

John you need to get a nik name like Peko Pete has.

Maybe Jiving John!