Jo Brown: Accusations of mismanagement are not supported by facts

To The Daily Sun,

I am writing regarding the letter in the Sept. 23 issue by Marie Danforth. She states that, in Franklin, the current mayor “uncovered serious legal and financial discrepancies affecting the city” yet offered no proof of either. Independent financial audits of the city budget show nothing of this. What is the source of her allegation? If true, she should share it.

Regarding the mayor’s compassion, dressing down public citizens or department heads at council meetings is not compassion but cruelty. The “extraordinary property tax increases” were due, in large part, to the state-required five-year property assessment which impacted homeowners throughout the city. The closure of Soldier’s Memorial Hall was due to safety code violations dating back to the 1970s, and the mayor vetoed the first vote to fund repair, a vote overridden by the city council in September of 2024. The funding was supported unanimously by the council last month. The mayor allowed a quick vote on a councilor replacement without notice to the acting city manager who had another application who the mayor refused to be allowed to be considered by the council.

Transparency? Touting a narrative as fact is not transparent; providing support for allegations is a better route. So show us the facts on financial mismanagement, or read the audits for the truth. Understand the real reason behind the closing of Soldier’s Memorial Hall. Learn about state-directed property assessments. In the end, remember, it is the council, not the city manager or mayor, who approve all city and taxpayer financial impact decisions.

Jo Brown

Franklin