Holpfer, Barber, Eichmann Take Lead In Franklin Alderperson Races

FRANKLIN, WI — Incumbents on the Franklin Common Council took the lead in the latest unofficial results for alderperson seats Tuesday night.

Seats on the Franklin School Board and various county seats were also on Tuesday's ballot. Polls closed at 8 p.m., but if you got in line before that be sure to stay in line as you can still cast your ballot.

In District 1, incumbent Ed Holpfer, who was previously appointed to the seat, went up against Deborah Davis. In District 2 Michelle L Eichmann was facing Jamie Groark, while in District 5 Mike Barber was vying against Marcelino Rivera III.

In the Franklin School Board, three candidates were running for two seats. Debbie Larson,
Jeffrey P. Hall and Mike Spragg were on the ballot.

The three aldermanic seats that were up for election each hold a position of power in the future of Franklin, and immediately at hand for the candidates were issues ranging from local development, tax burdens, the ongoing rewriting of the Unified Development Ordinance, and how it all affects a city projected to grow.

District 1 Alderperson

Unofficial results will be updated as they come in. Updated 9:06 p.m.

Deborah Davis: 407

Ed Holpfer (incumbent): 430

District 2 Alderperson

Unofficial results will be updated as they come in. Updated 9:06 p.m.

Michelle L Eichmann: 616

Jamie Groark: 464

District 5 Alderperson

Unofficial results will be updated as they come in. Updated 9:06 p.m.

Mike Barber (incumbent): 497

Marcelino Rivera III: 442

Franklin School Board

Unofficial results will be updated as they come in. Updated 9:33 p.m.

Debbie Larson: 2580

Jeffrey P. Hall: 1671

Mike Spragg: 2247

District 5 Alder Candidates Talk Development, Goals, Transparency

In District 5, incumbent Mike Barber was facing off against Marcelino Rivera III.

Rivera, who told Patch he is coming from experience as an IT systems analyst in health care, focused on development in the city and how the Common Council interacts with constituents.

He said he's witnessed inconsistency with the process for developers in meetings, and asserted his goal is to bring integrity and a sensible process that can save money with government spending, plus time.

Incumbent Mike Barber told The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ahead of the election he has a working knowledge of how the city and its staff function, plus a knowledge of what the community wants from local government— citing six years of experience in his seat.

Barber told the Journal Sentinel that prime development corridors in District 5 should be coordinated to meet residents' needs, such as the area around 76th Street and Rawson Avenue, and that development there should be compatible with a desire to have more vibrant opportunities in the city.

Rivera told Patch there are potions of the Oak Leaf trail in his district that could benefit from more connections and pointed to the unique opportunity the active quarry represents for a future park. He added that his seat can improve street safety, rainwater drainage concerns and more opportunities to help Franklin retain value for residents.

Rivera told Patch there has been a lack of attention for business opportunities near Rawson and 76th Street, saying the area is in need of re-development.

District 1 Candidates Talk Housing Development, City's Comprehensive Plan

Deborah Davis told Patch one thing that prompted her bid for the District 1 seat is how residents in her district became aware of possible plans for an additional housing development near them.

"We were concerned that some of the proposals were not in compliance with the city's comprehensive plan," Davis said, adding that the city's comprehensive development plan, currently being re-worked, is a pressing issue.

"Franklin has a significant amount of undeveloped land. It is important that we balance residential, business, industrial, agricultural, conservation and recreational uses of our land," Davis said. "To establish this balance, it is critical that we include input from as many constituents and stakeholders as possible."

Up against Davis is incumbent Ed Holpfer, who was previously appointed to his position by the Common Council. Holpfer told Patch he is running with a belief he can have a positive impact on the growth and development of Franklin.

He said through previous city government positions, he's "gained valuable knowledge that will be beneficial in guiding the decision-making process." For Holpfer, a pressing issue is the city's ability to continue to pay for the needs of a growing Franklin, without "breaking the bank."

Growing needs for local services like police, DPW, parks and more were at the top of Holpfer's concerns, he said, especially in light of a need to retain a quality workforce, he said.

"I intend to continue taking a conservative fiscal approach with city finances and working to attract new developments that add value to the community for sustainable growth," Holpfer said.

District 2 Candidates Talk Tax Burden, Development, Community

Jamie Groark, coming from experience as the vice-chair of the city's Environmental Commission, says the most pressing issue facing her district is a lack of commercial space. She said she hopes to work with developers and community members through the re-writing of the city's Unified Development Ordinance to provide developers with a path that saves natural areas, while being profitable and successful.

Michelle Eichmann, who said on her campaign website Franklin has been her home for three decades, touted a "Franklin First" approach.

Eichmann's website stateed that if elected, she'll work with residents to provide a great quality of life, while listening to all concerns of residents. Eichmann also pointed to a desire to work with local emergency services to maintain safety, and support of economic development to reduce tax burdens.

Want to learn more about the candidates? We reached out to each to publish a campaign profile. Here's a list of candidates and links to their profiles if they responded:

Deborah Davis

Ed Holpfer

Michelle L Eichmann

Jamie Groark

Mike Barber

Marcelino Rivera III