In voting in favor of advancing the indoor recreation center this evening, John Franck told the public that his endorsement by the Democratic Committee in this year's city elections would hinge on his vote on the rec center. Throwing caution -- and possibly his party affiliation -- to the wind, Franck voted for the project, and in doing so, drew a line between himself and his would-be party mate, Commissioner of Public Safety Commissioner Ron Kim.

This comment should remove any doubt that the rec center has become a political football, but, more interesting is the fact that Franck -- who told me earlier this year that the Democrats could be hugely successful in this year's election if they put aside their differences -- was willing to vote on his beliefs, and not his party marching orders.

So, the question remains: will Franck convince the Democrat that he and Kim can agree to disagree on the rec center and still run on the ticket, or will Franck become the city's next Matt McCabe, and run to keep his seat on the council as an independent, possibly against a member of his former party AND a member of the GOP?

We'll have to wait and see on that one, but the fact remains that the rec center passed through tonight's council meeting with bi-partisan support -- and bipartisan dissent.