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Monthly Archives: January 2011

City, Politics

Whitewater’s Overdose of Incumbency

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Here, in tiny Whitewater, there’s an upcoming Common Council election in which five of the seven seats are up for a vote (seats representing four districts and one citywide seat).

Unlike other communities, most of those seats won’t be contested. Only one of the districts will have a definite challenger; another may have one, or may be decided as write-in contest.

A majority of these seats, however, will have only one candidate on the ballot.

Last year, when it became clear that most of the seats would not have challengers, one of the incumbents was happy to announce that, weeks before the vote, the election was almost set. There was an unwitting candor in the observation.

Regrettably, there’s neither good policy nor prudence in hoping that an election goes uncontested. It’s a reflection of an ailing political culture (and legitimate disenchantment) that many talented people in the community prefer to stay away from political office. There are only so many grand pronouncements from Whitewater’s municipal administration that a sensible citizen can brook, and our city’s passed that limit. Ironically, Whitewater’s unelected officials have done the most harm to our political culture, and through their unpersuasive cheerleading have undermined the desirability of elected office.

Yet, even as a matter of skillful politics, races without challengers undermine an incumbent’s claim to legitimacy. It’s simply more commanding to be re-elected after a hard-fought race than to be chosen because no one else stepped forward. My point isn’t that I’d like to see all of these incumbents lose, but rather that those I’d like to see win would do better winning against an opponent. Of the five running, despite occasional policy differences I might have with that number, I think that three deserve re-election, and two do not.

Lack of challengers is — in more ways that one — an inauspicious sign.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread for 1-6-11

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Good morning,

Whitewater’s forecast calls for a chance of flurries, with a high temperature of twenty-one.

The Wisconsin Historical Society reports that on this day in 1921

Janesville Women Abhor Salacious Entertainment

On this date the Janesville Federation of Women decided to “censor” movies and vaudeville in the city. Members of this organization praised and promoted what they considered “better offerings.” They were zealously critical towards those of a “salacious” nature. No follow-up ever determined whether the women were successful in their quest or if the increased publicity for “salacious” shows backfired. [Source: Janesville Gazette]

When I was growing up, one often heard that only humans used tools (and some of us, not very well). The tool-using group expanded to chimpanzees, and then other animals.

Crows are, it seems, now considered tool-users, too.

With the simple act of using twigs to poke a rubber spider, New Caledonian crows may have become the first birds to join an exclusive cognitive class.

Using tools in multiple ways, and not just to get food, was once considered a singularly human ability. Then chimpanzees, other primates and elephants proved able. But if flexible tool use wasn’t uniquely human, it did seem limited to mammals.

“There is no species of bird that has been recorded using tools for more than one function,” said zoologist Joanna Wimpenny of the University of Sheffield.



See, Clever Crows Use Tools in New Way. more >>

Laws/Regulations, Libertarians

EPA’s Rulemaking Matters! Contest: The Winner

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In May, June, and July, I posted about an EPA video contest called “Rulemaking Matters!” in which contestants could send in videos explaining why federal regulations are important.

Here’s the winning video —



The winner in the Rulemaking Matters contest was a good entry. There are two things worth nothing, however.

First, one of the winning video’s creators was Toby Fey, a legal aid attorney from Ohio. That’s good and hard work, but it’s also work with an out-of-the-ordinary approach to regulations.

Representing the poor often involves citing regulations to prevent an agency from taking action against a client who has little means other than what the regulatory environment offers. For the poor, attorneys can cite — legitimately and necessarily — regulations to prevent denial of benefits, for example. Those who have little are a small number, overall, and while their reliance on regulations is a necessity, it’s also atypical.

For most people, I’d say, regulations are an inhibition to free exercise of opportunities for which they have private means.

Second, the video presents agency rulemaking in the most favorable light possible. Agency regulations are hardly the wise consequence of simple, objective interpretation and implemention of statutes. Additionally, there are few people who believe that rulemaking offers adequate citizen comment. Most people only learn about regulations after they’re imposed.

The libertarians at Reason.tv submitted their own videos, explaining how burdensome federal regulations were, and now bureaucrats typically care little about ordinary Americans. See Reason.tv: Federal Regulations and You – Partners in Democracy and Reason.tv: Rulemaking Matters!

For example:



more >>

Daily Bread

Daily Bread for 1-5-11

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Good morning,

Whitewater’s forecast calls for an even chance of snow, with a high temperature of twenty-seven degrees.

In the City of Whitewater, there will be two municipal public meetings today.

At 9 a.m., the Joint Review Board meets, to begin considering distressed status for tax incremental district 4. The meeting agenda is available online. Here’s that agenda:


Whitewater Tax Incremental Finance District No. 4 Proposed Distressed TID Designation for District No. 4 Joint Review Board Walworth County Wednesday – January 5, 9:00 a.m. Whitewater Municipal Center Lakefront Conference Room (2nd Floor)
312 W Whitewater Street, Whitewater, WI 53190
AMENDED 01/03/2011 TO ADD ITEM #4

AGENDA

1. Call to Order and Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes from September 22, 2010
3. Appointment of Citizen Member to Joint Review Board
4. Distressed TID Presentation
5. Discussion and Possible Action on County Representation on Joint Review Board
6. Confirmation of January 24, 2011 Community Development Authority Public Hearing
7. Confirmation of February 9, 2011 Joint Review Board Meeting 8. Adjourn

Some of Whitewater’s officials mentioned the distressed TID presentation months ago — it’s received considerable energy and effort, I’m sure. (See, When Foolishness Passes for Wisdom, All Explained Via PowerPoint.)

So much preparation, I’d guess, that it’s a grand production by now. Something on the order of this —



Later in the day, at 5 p.m., there will be a meeting of the Landmarks Commission. That agenda is also available online, and I’ve reproduced it below:


Agenda of Whitewater Landmarks Commission
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 – 5:00 PM
City Manager Conference Room 312
Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190

I. Call to order & roll call
II. Approval of agenda and possible rearrangement
III. Approval of minutes of December 8. 2010 meeting
IV. Set date of next meeting – Wed., February 2, 2011, at 5P
V. Hear Citizen Comments
VI. Announcements

Old Business

VII. Report from Friends of the Mounds. (Helmick)
VIII. Report on Effigy Mounds Task Force.
IX. Discussion of the Restoration Proposal Open Meeting with Jennings and Associates
X. Update on protection of original Birge Fountain figures (Loomer)
XI. Possible future informational programs on the positive influence of historic districts and local landmark designated properties.
XI. Report on the moving or demolition of James & Ella Rockefeller House at 837 South Janesville Road. (Christ)
XII. Report on the Relocation of UWW Stone Pillars on intersection of Main &Whiton Streets. (Christ)
XIII. Possible future informational programs on the positive influence of historic
districts and local landmark designated properties.
XIV. Discuss Historical & Archaeological Preservation Month.

New Business
XV . Discuss Christmas trees in Flat Iron Park (Helmick)
XVI. Future Agenda Items
1. Whitewater Historical Survey Recommendations
2. New Provisions of Chap. 17 – criteria & list
3. Leaflets and Educational Materials
4. Possible grants – Jeffris Family Foundation & CLG
5. Plaques for Whitewater sites that are on the National Register of Historic Places
6. Possible Future Local Landmark Designations
a. Leon Pescheret House (Scott)
b. Vivian Henderson’s House (Scott)
c. Yasko House
d. Ambrose House
e. Starin Park Historic Neighborhood (Helmick)
XVII. Adjournment more >>

Elkhorn

The Emergency Services Mess in Elkhorn

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There’s a story at Walworth County Today, entitled, Elkhorn emergency services plagued with problems. The story describes those problems — of staffing, membership, morale, and uncollected revenue.

The only thing worse than these mistakes and problems would be hiding them from public scrutiny.

When problems like this mount over time, even with a volunteer force, it’s still a public volunteer force, not a truly private one. A volunteer group like this may often use large amounts of public resources — equipment, buildings, etc. — but then declare that they’re above scrutiny as a volunteer organization. (“We run ourselves,” etc.)

Those organizations that depend on public equipment should not be able — often on specious, unenforceable grounds of local custom or ordinance — to insulate themselves from public accountability.

It’s commendable, however unfortunate the situation, that officials released a report on the matter.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread for 1-4-11

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Good morning,

Whitewater’s forecast calls for a mostly sunny day, with a high temperature of twenty-two degrees.

At Lakeview School today, there’s a 6 PM PTA meeting.

The Wisconsin Historical Society recall that on this day in 1923

Student Dancing [was] Banned

On this date Milton College president A.E. Whitford banned dancing by students in off-campus, semi-public places such as confectionery stores. [Source: Janesville Gazette]

Milton, and the rest of the world, having changed so much, I’m guessing that dancing is now permitted in Milton. But if not, here’s a bit of inspiration for a reform movement —



Missing the 80s? Here’s the title track of the film —



more >>

Daily Bread

Daily Bread for 1-3-11

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Good morning,

Whitewater’s forecast calls for a slight chance of snow, with a high temperature of about thirty degrees.

School’s back in session today. Study responsibly.

Expect to hear more about Whitewater’s Tax Incremental District 4 this month. Having wasted vast sums in that district, the City of Whitewater will cast blame any way it can, and seek distressed status for the district.

We’re a dairy state, but do we have panda cows? I don’t think so. Here’s a competitive threat that that Gov. Walker will want to address promptly.

Behold, the half-pint wonder:



more >>

City

Predictions for Whitewater, Wisconsin for 2011

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Here’s my local, amateur version of the late William Safire’s long-standing tradition of offering annual predictions. The list for 2011:

1. In 2011, the University will win the following number of national sports championships:
A. None
B. One
C. Two
D. More than two

2. Under a new focus on blighted properties, the City of Whitewater will
A. Help rehabilitate a few properties and condemn a few others
B. Make lasting headway against blight
C. Make only temporary headway against blight
D. Accidentally condemn Whitewater’s Municipal Building on aesthetic grounds

3. Of the following print publications, how many will fold in 2011? (Daily Union, Janesville Gazette, Good Morning Advertiser, Whitewater Register)
A. None
B. One
C. Two
D. More than two

4. This year, how many incumbent Common Council members will be defeated in their bids for office?
A. None
B. One
C. Two
D. Three

5. New 2010 Census figures will show that poverty from 2000 to 2010
A. Dropped
B. Increased slightly
C. Increased significantly — up 1/10th or more as an increase over the decade
D. Was unchanged

6. In 2011, the Whitewater Innovation Center will serve as
A. a catalyst for meaningful job growth
B. a source of meaningful technological innovation
C. a waste of money, time, and greenspace
D. Wisconsin’s largest LEED-certified pigeon coop

7. 2010 Census figures will show that compared with Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Delavan, and Palymra, Whitewater’s economy is
A. Stronger
B. About the same
C. Weaker
D. Much weaker

8. To assure the loyalty of all residents to the vision and goals of the City of Whitewater, City Manager Brunner will propose that each resident
A. Complete a Myers Briggs evaluation
B. Carry a small red book with Brunner’s most popular sayings
C. Stand in his or her doorway at dawn, and sing the city’s Ballard of Acquiescence and Assimilation Stanzas One through Three, and Five
D. Find and publish no fewer than two dozen, mostly inapt quotations to be used as proof of an enlightened sensibility

9. Large swaths of Whitewater’s Business park will
A. Remain vacant
B. Remain seeded with corn (as they are now)!
C. Be filled with new businesses
D. Become a landfill and state-certified seagull preserve

10. The Whitewater Unified School District’s proposal to the state for a charter school will be
A. Approved
B. Denied
C. Tabled
D. Unfunded due to changes in state and federal funding

Adams’s guesses for 2011:

1. In 2011, the University will win the following number of national sports championships:
C. Two

2. Under a new focus on blighted properties, the City of Whitewater will
A. Help rehabilitate a few properties and condemn a few others
and
C. Make only temporary headway against blight
Although, there’s an outside chance that, following a party, some official will
D. Accidentally condemn Whitewater’s Municipal Building on aesthetic grounds

3. Of the following print publications, how many will fold in 2011? (Daily Union, Janesville Gazette, Good Morning Advertiser, Whitewater Register)
B. One

4. This year, how many incumbent Common Council members will be defeated in their bids for office?
B. One

5. New 2010 Census figures will show that poverty from 2000 to 2010
C. Increased significantly — up 1/10th or more as an increase over the decade

6. In 2011, the Whitewater Innovation Center will serve as
C. a waste of money, time, and greenspace
although, there’s an outside chance that it will become
D. Wisconsin’s largest LEED-certified pigeon coop

7. 2010 Census figures will show that compared with Jefferson, Fort Artkinson, Delavan, and Palymra, Whitewater’s economy is
C. Weaker

8. To assure the loyalty of all residents to the vision and goals of the City of Whitewater, City Manager Brunner will propose that each resident
B. Carry a small red book with Brunner’s most popular sayings

9. Large swaths of Whitewater’s Business park will
A. Remain vacant
and
B. Remain seeded with corn (as they are now)!

10. The Whitewater Unified School District’s proposal to the state for a charter school will be
A. Approved