Recently, I posted on Assembly Speaker Sheridan’s contention that dating a lobbyist for the payday loan industry, while his caucus was drafting legislation to regulate that industry, wasn’t a conflict of interest. We knew that because Sheridan declared it wasn’t, and reassured us that he had “no problem” saying so.

See, Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Sheridan’s Shameful and
Laughable Self-Absolution.

I’m sure that it wasn’t a problem for him — many a smooth talking public official will absolve himself of all sorts of conflicts,
questions, and legitimate lines of inquiry simply by saying they’re not conflicts, not questions, and not legitimate inquiries.

I’m neither a Republican nor a Democrat, but I have a genuine sympathy for committed Democrats who are saddled with an embarrassment like Sheridan. Janesville, of all places, struggling with high unemployment and plant closures, deserves better than Sheridan.

There’s more to this story — Sheridan’s not even living in his district.

The Janesville Gazette reports that

Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan is not living in the district he represents but plans to return as soon as possible, a spokeswoman said Friday. The change in addresses is the result of a pending divorce between Sheridan and his wife, spokeswoman Rebekah Sweeney said.

“He is absent with the intent to return as soon as possible,” she said.

State law requires a lawmaker to live in the Assembly district he or she represents. A government accountability board spokesperson said the law permits a temporary absence as long as the lawmaker intends to move back into the district.

Sheridan and his wife had been living on Nantucket Drive on the city’s far east side. In the divorce proceeding, the couple have stipulated that the wife will live on Nantucket and Sheridan will live at 4244 Ruger Ave., a home the couple owns that is not in Sheridan’s 44th Assembly District.

Sheridan’s official Assembly Web page lists his address as 828 Sentinel Dr., which is part of the district.

Sweeney said that when Sheridan and his wife separated, he temporarily stayed with a friend at the Sentinel Drive home. He has since moved into the home on Ruger, she said, adding that the state’s Web site has not been updated.

See, Sheridan not living in his Assembly district.

I wouldn’t care why Sheridan’s not in the district, absent a natural disaster that befell everyone there — he should be living there. Even if he needed a loan against his paycheck — something he might have easy access to arranging — he could live in the district. There are residents of Janesville and Wisconsin who are truly struggling to make ends meet.

Sheridan’s not one of those people.

If an obvious conflict over association with a lobbyist, and lack of residency in his district weren’t enough, Sheridan transgresses yet a third time, as the Gazette story reports, citing the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, that

Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Friday that Sheridan intends to file an amended campaign finance report to include more detail about travel reimbursements.

The newspaper reported that Sheridan spent more than $5,000 on campaign travel over the final six months of 2009 but did not disclose whom the payments went to, as required by law.

Legislators and other candidates for office are required to report what hotels and airlines received payments, said Reid Magney, spokesman for the Government Accountability Board, which oversees the state’s election laws.

Sheridan used his campaign account to reimburse himself 20 times in the second half of last year, for a total of $7,963.

One entry for $1,800 gave this description: “airfare/travel to Georgia conference; computer printer; campaign meetings.” Another entry for $1,184 said it was for “computer and hotel.” Eleven other entries were marked “travel” but included no other information.

In all, travel expenses that included minimal information came to $5,608. Another $1,017 in reimbursements to Sheridan went toward mileage; $1,015 went toward food for a fundraiser; $282 went toward administrative expenses; and $41 went toward meals and meeting expenses, the Journal Sentinel reported.

See, Sheridan campaign finance report lacks information.

Good morning,

The forecast for Whitewater today calls for a high temperature of thirty degrees, with a chance of snow this evening, of two to four inches accumulation.

In Whitewater today, there will be a Planning Board meeting at 6 PM. The agenda is available online.  Later, at 6:30 PM, there will be a meeting of the Library Board.  That agenda is also posted online.

There’s a monthly public listening session scheduled tonight with the  public school district administrator, at the district’s Central Office.  The English language session runs from 5 to 5:45 PM, and the Spanish language session from 5:45 to 6:30 PM.

In Wisconsin history on this date, the Wisconsin Historical Society recalls a confrontation in Congress, in 1858:

1858 – Wisconsin Congressman Starts Fight in Legislature

Just before the Civil War, the issue of slavery tore apart the U.S. Congress. On February 8, 1858, Wisconsin Rep. John Potter (considered a backwoods hooligan by Southern aristocrats) leaped into a fight on the House floor. When Potter embarrassed a pro-slavery brawler by pulling off his wig, the gallery shouted that he’d taken a Southern scalp. Potter emerged from the melee covered in blood and marked by slave owners as an enemy. Two years later, on April 5, 1860, he accused Virginia Rep. Roger Pryor of falsifying the Congressional record. Pryor, feeling his character impugned, challenged Potter to a duel. According to Southern custom, a person challenged had the right to choose weapons. Potter replied that he would only fight with “Bowie knives in a closed room,” and his Southern challenger beat a hasty retreat. Republican supporters around the nation sent Potter Bowie knives as a tribute, including this six-foot-long one. [Source: Badger Saints and Sinners by Fred L. Holmes]

Last night saw an exciting Super Bowl, more so than the final score suggests, but commercials that I think were only average.  Of those commericials, I’d say a few stood out for me –

During the Super Bowl in 2001 (Ravens 34, Giants 7), EDS ran a commercial entitled, “Running of the Squirrels.” It was a follow-up to their 2000 Super Bowl (Rams 23, Titans 16) commercial, “Cat Herders.”

Enjoy.

Link: Running of the Squirrels

There have been many fine Super Bowl games, and quite a few fine Super Bowl commercials, too. Commercial advertising’s an art form, and tomorrow, Americans will recall both the game and its commercials. I’m not sure if I have an all-time favorite ad, but this one would be near the top of any list I’d make. Enjoy.

Link: Cat Herders

There’s much charm in living in a small rural town, in a dairy state. One would wish, I am sure, that every post could be about topics as happy, sincere, and admirable as this one, of a press release from the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association. Congratulations, and best wishes to all.

WPVGA Presents Annual Industry Awards

In 2009, Heartland Farms was instrumental in helping with an off-gassing study of metam sodium which could have far-reaching implications for the potato industry throughout the United States. Heartland Farms was also cited for its contributions to the Storage Research Facility at Hancock. Accepting the award on behalf of Heartland Farms were Dave Knights, Jeremie Pavelski, T.J. Kennedy, Brian Wysocki and Charlie Higgins. Heartland Farms, Inc. President Richard Pavelski was also recognized.

The Whitewater-Area League of Women Voters’ February 2010 Newsletter is now available, and the latest issue includes a calendar of upcoming LWV events. The latest copy of the LWV newsletter is available as a link on my blogroll, and is embedded below, with coding through Google. I like the simplicity that the Google Document Viewer offers, with features including a larger-screen mode, and a link to the document, from which one can view, print, or share it.

Click to download or print: Whitewater Area LWV February Newsletter

Here is a sampling of upcoming events mentioned in the February newsletter:

2009-2010 Contemporary Issues Lecture Series

The College of Letters and Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is once again offering the Contemporary Issues Lecture Series. All lectures will be in the Young Auditorium at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Contact Susan Johnson (johnsons@uww.edu or 472-4766) for further information.

Monday, February 15th 2010 — “Naked Trends: What Can Basic Economics Tell Us About the Future”– Charles Wheelan

“Charles Wheelan, a faculty member at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago and a former Midwest correspondent for The Economist, writes Yahoo!’s popular “Naked Economics” column. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Chicago, Wheelan was Director of Policy and Communications for Chicago Metropolis 2020, a business-backed civic group promoting healthy regional growth in the Chicago area. He has written for the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and other publications. His 2003 book, Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science, seeks to make economics accessible, comprehensible and appealing.”

Fairhaven Lecture Series

All lectures are open to the public at no charge on Mondays at 3 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall, located at the Fairhaven, 435 West Starin Road, Whitewater, WI 53190. Sponsored by the UW-Whitewater Office of Continuing Ed.

8 February—Putting the Bayeux Tapestry in its Place. Chris Henige, Associate Professor and Chair, Art Department

15 February—Competitive Speaking Examples from the UW-Whitewater Forensics Team. Jeanine Fassl, Senior Instructor and Director of Forensics, Department of Communication

22 February—Narrative in Music from Around the World. Alena Holmes, Assistant Professor, Department of Music

1 March —What Costumes Say to an Audience (Part I). Marshall Anderson, Professor and Chair, Theatre / Dance Department

The more one hears about the candidates for Walworth County circuit judge, the more one comes to see that only two of the candidates seem to understand the office for which they are contesting. Along the way, one has no trouble seeing that the Whitewater Register doesn’t understand the role, either.

Yesterday, I had fun teasing about the campaign signs for the circuit judge candidates for Walworth County.

See, Judicial Candidates for Walworth County Circuit Court.

(Quick note: I think the candidate’s sign on the lawn of the Whitewater city attorney’s firm is a matter of bad form reflecting on the city attorney, not the candidate. Then, a more important question is the quality of legal opinion the city receives, a subject for another day.)

There’s more about these candidates, over at the Whitewater Register, in its February 4th edition. On page eight of that formerly local newspaper, there’s an article entitled, “Candidates connect: Q & A with the Walworth County Circuit Court judge contenders.” The story asks seven questions of the candidates:

1. How do you differ from your opponents?
2. What is your favorite thing to do or place to visit in Walworth County?
3. What do you see as the most pressing issue facing the Walworth County judicial sysem?
4. Do you think that Walworth County is tough enough on sex offenders? Would you like to see any changes in prevention, prosecution or sentenciong with regard to sex offenses in the county? If so, what?
5. County officials are currently examing the possibility of jail expansion, which could cost taxpayers millions. How would you work to keep the jail population down, while staying tough on crime?
6. Walworth County jail is said to be the “Beverly Hills” of jails — because inmates have the ability to order food, among other comforts. Is Walworth County jail too cozy?
7. Who is your favorite TV judge?

Two of the questions — what to do in Walworth County, and favorite TV judge — are just frivolous. One silly question might make sense, but I’d guess the Register thinks only the question about a favorite TV judge is silly. They’re wrong — there’s a diminuition of the judicial role when prattling along like a candidate for town council about one’s favorite activites in Walworth County. The candidates all talk about loving their families, with mentions of the county fair, picking strawberries, boating, etc.

One of the questions is simply false, and absurdly so — the idea that the Walworth County jail might be the “Beverly Hills’ of jails, or the implication that inmates are ordering takeout. The question is oddly ignorant of how the jail operates, suggests a nickname for the jail that only a buffoon would use, and is easily and correctly dismissed by all of the candidates as false and misleading.

Of the seven questions printed for publication, two are silly and irrelevant to the judicial role, and one is simply erroneous.

Consider, though, the question about a true concern — sex offenders. The question poses a problem for society, but an even bigger problem for these candidates. As candidates Reddy and Letteney correctly note, there are limits on judicial candidates’ answers to open-ended questions like this, under Wisconsin rules of conduct. Reddy observes that

It would be irreponsible to answer the question the question as phrased. Every defendant should be sentenced based upon the specfic facts presented to a court. The law requires that a judge consider the gravity of the offense, the offender’s character and the
public’s need for protection.

Letteney notes that

This is a difficult question to answer, because under the Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules of Judicial Conduct, judges and judicial candidates are not permitted to state how they would rule in certain cases. In addition, law enforcement is primarily responsible for crime prevention and the District Attorney is responsible for prosecution.

Only Reddy and Letteney seem to have understood the obligations of a judicial candidate, at least in these published remarks, in answering the question. A version of what they said should have been the first words of any judicial candidate in reponse to a question like this.

Answering this way implies no weakness toward crime — on the contrary, it’s evidence of a much needed respect for the nature of a judicial role. I have no sympathy for violent criminals, nor other
crimes against people or property. Judges are not, however, and cannot be, prosecutors or defense attorneys. Wisconsin rules of conduct for judges and judicial candidates address the unique role of judge, apart from advocate.

Some of these answers are more political than judicial. One might at least have hoped, though, that all those answering a question would understand the simple, clear rules by which judicial candidates should be bound. Perhaps we should be fortunate, in Walworth County, that even half the candidates did.

The 23rd Annual Wisconsin Troopers’ Art & Essay Contest is accepting entries through February 14th. I have included the contest rules, and an entry form, immediately below. The forms can be viewed in a full screen mode, and are available for downloading and printing. Best of luck to all contestants.

Click to download or print: 23rd Annual Wisconsin Troopers’ Art & Essay Contest

Updated: 2/6/10 — updated to Google Documents Viewer for a cleaner format.

Good morning,

Whitewater’s forecast calls for a chance of snow, of little accumulation, with a high of thirty-two degrees.

Our city one public meeting listed for today: the Whitewater-University Tech Park Board meets at 2 PM.  The agenda for the meeting is available online.  The meeting will go into closed session to consider “[p]otential tenants and lease rates.”

In our schools, it’s Spirit Day at Washington School, and at the Middle School, there’s a student council pep assembly at 2 PM.

The Wisconsin Historical Society recalls that this day in 1849 was an especially historic one for our state:

1849 – University of Wisconsin opens

On this day in 1849 the University of Wisconsin began with 20 students led by Professor John W. Sterling. The first class was organized as a preparatory school in the first department of the University: a department of science, literature, and the arts. The university was initially housed at the Madison Female Academy building, which had been provided free of charge by the city.

The course of study was English grammar; arithmetic; ancient and modern geography; elements of history; algebra; Caesar’s Commentaries; the Aeneid of Virgil (six books); Sallust; select orations of Cicero; Greek; the Anabasis of Xenophon; antiquities of Greece and Rome; penmanship, reading, composition and declamation. Also offered were book-keeping, geometry, and surveying.

Tuition was “twenty dollars per scholar, per annum.” For a detailed recollection of early UW-Madison life, see the memoirs of Mrs. W.F. Allen [Source: History of the University of Wisconsin, Reuben Gold Thwaites, 1900]