Here’s a Felix the Car cartoon from the 1930s, in color. The use of color gives the cartoon a completely different appearance from last week’s cartoon. In this short film, Felix meets King Cole, and battles some ghosts. Enjoy.
Author Archive for JOHN ADAMS
Daily Bread
Daily Bread: May 23, 2008
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good morning, Whitewater
It’s a private sector, civil society only day: there are no public meetings scheduled for Whitewater today.
In Wisconsin history on this day in 1903, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin became the first state to elect candidates directly in a primary election, rather than through a convention or caucus. The progressive proposal was itself put to a direct vote, approved in a statewide referendum one year later.
The National Weather Service calls for 60 degrees, and partly sunny. For the Farmers’ Almanac, it’s a prediction of heavy rains.
City
Common Council Meeting for May 6th
by JOHN ADAMS •
Our Common Council met on May 6th, and there are two topics that I will briefly address.
The local bus company contacted the city to request a change in the city ordinance regulating use of warning lights for school buses. There were two challenges with this request. No one from the bus company was able to attend the meeting, and the ordinance as proposed was unclear (did the bus company want discretion in the use of warning lights at all times, or discretion only occasionally?) The discussion at Council revealed that there was uncertainty, and so the matter was postponed for further discussion.
If a private concern wants a proposed ordinance change that directly and specifically involves its business, a principal of the concern should be available to answer any questions. The wording of the proposed change should also be consistent with what the business wants. That’s probably the least that a city should expect before considering the matter.
There was also a discussion of whether a Common Council member should sit on the Police and Fire Commission. The Council decided that the answer should be yes, but that the change would not take effect for one year (as there was a nomination process already underway for 2008).
There’s time (a year) to write about whether it’s permissible for a Common Council member to sit on the PFC. (Some cities in Wisconsin have this practice; there is a Wisconsin Attorney General’s opinion that contends a city may not place a Council member on a PFC.)
In any event, though, if one contends that our present arrangement has been working well, then might as well contend that anything works well.
Uncategorized
One Year On
by JOHN ADAMS •
It was a year ago that FREE WHITEWATER began. Since then, there have been hundreds of posts, on dozens of topics. Many have addressed the administration of justice in our small town, and other posts considered the right of free expression. My interest in these topics is unchanged.
Nonetheless, I did not begin writing for those topics alone, however important they are. If there had been less to consider, I would have addressed other topics sooner. I cannot say that the opportunity will present itself; events often guide commentary.
I can say that, as with other blogs from across our state, there’s more to write, about topics explored less fully than I might have wished. I’d enjoy writing more – and in greater detail — on planning, or LP politics, for example.
When I began, and for about two months afterward, this website had few visitors. I thought that it would probably stay small forever, and I was contented with that number of readers. I wrote on topics that interested me, without trimming my sails, and without expecting much change in readership. Even a few dozen readers each week seemed like a large number.
Month in, month out, readership has grown, and now I have a steady readership of about twenty-two hundred unique individuals (excluding search engines, etc.) visiting each week. Of those readers, many visit several times during a given week. They’re readers from Whitewater, across Wisconsin, and places farther afield in America.
A new year waits, with posts unwritten, on topics unknown.
Daily Bread
Daily Bread: May 22, 2008
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good morning, Whitewater
There are no public meetings scheduled for Whitewater today.
In our schools, it’s market day pickup at Lincoln School. At 7:00 p.m., there will be a middle school show choir and jazz band concert at the middle school.
The National Weather Service predicts a high of 66 degrees, and mostly sunny. For the Farmers’ Almanac, it’s a prediction of heavy rains. There’s the problem of the Farmers’ Almanac’s long range approach — when they’re far off the mark, they’re far off the mark for up to three straight days (as they group long range predictions into threes).
In Wisconsin history on this day in 1968, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin’s professional basketball team was named the Milwaukee Bucks. Apparently 14,000 people suggested entries, of which forty-five suggested the Milwaukee Bucks as the team name.
Planning
Planning Commission Meeting from May 19th
by JOHN ADAMS •
The latest Planning Commission meeting was Monday, May 19th. I’ll offer comments on a few parts of an agenda-rich meeting.
Currently, the city planner’s post is vacant, and consultants to the city are fulfilling a portion of that role.
The Planning Commission elected a new chairperson (Kristine Zaballos), vice-chairperson (Greg Torres), and filled roles where Planning Commission members attend other committees — among them representative to the Community Development Authority (Tom Miller) and Tree Commission (David Stone).
There were no opposing candidates for these positions, and it suggests — I think — a group that generally has come to understand the lay of the land, so to speak. That’s not true in every case, but likely for most on the commission.
I also thought it was a gracious gesture to ask, and for the group to agree, for Jason Wiedenhoeft to chair his final meeting.
It’s also honest and fair to applicants and the board to ask an applicant for a quid pro quo (the Cordio’s Beer Here request). That gives an applicant both an opportunity and a responsibility. If you want this, then how about these requests for a conditional use….? There’s nothing categorical about it — a bit of effort on both sides will produce an accommodation. It’s straightforward, and easily understood by applicants and the community.
If the conditions are too extreme, applicants will complain, and the community will notice.
It’s the categorical that causes more trouble — a blanket declaration that something cannot happen, that they’ll be no agreement under any circumstances. Most of these matters can be decided affirmatively, if the conditions are not too onerous so as to undermine the venture.
The university is planning a new residence building at Starin and Prince. It’s a green building, and there are guidelines that assure that it truly will meet environmental conservation standards. At a time when almost every product touts its environmentally-friendly nature, it’s important to check (1) what standards are, and (2) verify compliance (as the commission did in several respects). The architects of the building are well-established, and are likely to meet verifiable guidelines.
One other aspect of this apartment project stands out, more than any other — it is designed in part to accommodate those who are disabled. One of the characteristics of our university is its role in being a friendly campus for those who disabled. Some students choose the university for that reason. It’s another reason to be proud of, and support, the campus. Fighting and overcoming barriers to higher education is part of the American dream.
Daily Bread
Daily Bread: May 21, 2008
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good morning, Whitewater
There are no public meetings scheduled for Whitewater today.
In our schools, there are three concerts scheduled for today. At 2 p.m., and again at 7 p.m., there will be a grade band concert at Lakeview School. At 7:30 p.m., there will be a High School Choir concert in the high school auditorium.
The National Weather Service predicts a high of 64 degrees, and partly sunny. For the Farmers’ Almanac, it’s a prediction of heavy rains.
In Wisconsin history on this date, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, there were two very different achievements: Marquette and Joliet reached the Menominee in 1673, and in 1985 a paper-airplane distance record of 193 feet was set in La Crosse. more >>
Uncategorized
Now Reading
by JOHN ADAMS •
There’s a new feature that I have added to the site, on the right sidebar. It’s called ‘Now Reading’ it shows what a blogger has on his or her reading list. There’s also a section to add a review of books finished.
The plug in was created by Rob Miller, a college student in England, and is available to bloggers for a small donation.
I’ll write a review of a book that I recently finished, Jonah Goldberg’s popular but controversial Liberal Fascism, this week.
Daily Bread
Daily Bread: May 20, 2008
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good morning, Whitewater
There is one public meeting scheduled for Whitewater today. At 6:30 p.m. the Common Council will meet.
In our schools, there is a scheduled fifth grade district choir concert at both 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the high school
The National Weather Service predicts a high of 64 degrees, mostly cloudy, with a chance of showers. For the Farmers’ Almanac, it’s a prediction of gusty showers, then fair.
In Wisconsin history, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, today in 1991 a lengthy treaty rights dispute between the State of Wisconsin and the Ojibwe ended.
Lots of posts to write up this week: the Monday Planning Commission, Tuesday’s Common Council, the last two Register issues, the upcoming Libertarian Party convention, and a review of Jonah Goldberg’s Liberal Fascism, among others.
Daily Bread
Daily Bread: May 19, 2008
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good morning, Whitewater
There are three public meetings scheduled for Whitewater today. At 4:30 p.m., the CDA business park committee will meet. At 6:00 p.m. there will be a meeting of the Alcohol Licensing Committee. At 7:00 p.m. the Planning Commission will meet.
In our schools, there is a scheduled parent advisory committee meeting at the high school at 5 p.m.
The National Weather Service predicts a high of 60 degrees, with generally sunny skies. For the Farmers’ Almanac, it’s a prediction of gusty showers, the fair.
In Wisconsin history, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, today in 1934 was the day that the Wisconsin Progressive party was formed.
Cartoons & Comics
Friday Morning Cartoon
by JOHN ADAMS •
Here’s a 1925 Felix the Cat cartoon, where Felix tries fishing. Enjoy.
Daily Bread
Daily Bread: May 16, 2008
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good morning, Whitewater
The Farmers’ Almanac forecasts gusty showers, and the National Weather Service predicts a slight chance of rain.
There are no public meetings scheduled in the city today.
In our school district, it’s activity night at the middle school at 7 p.m.
In Wisconsin history, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, on this day in 1913 band leader Woody Herman (of Milwaukee) was born, and in 1919 Liberace (of West Allis) was born.
Daily Bread
Daily Bread: May 15, 2008
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good morning, Whitewater
There are no public meetings scheduled for the city today.
There’s agreement between the National Weather Service and the Farmers’ Almanac: sunny skies today. The NWS predicts a high of 64 (the FA long-range forecast does not predict high temperatures).
According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, on this day in 1911, Janesville passed an ordinance banning fortune tellers, and also barred breweries from operating their own taverns.
City, Free Markets
Update on Housing
by JOHN ADAMS •
I received an email on my last post that pointed out an option I did not address – a few privately owned, multi-unit, larger apartments close to campus. These new units would require modifications to zoning in some specific parts of the city.
They would have a large number of units, in a smaller area, so would meet demand more effectively than attempts – conventional or covert – to modify owner-occupied homes. They would likely offer a range of amenities that single-home conversions would not easily match.
Alterations in zoning, even in a few areas, would make this possible. Lessening of zoning restrictions in some areas might be matched, under this plan, by tightening in others.
(That’s a trade, where I would want to lessen restrictions only.)
There are two quick replies to the large apartment idea, but as I favor even fewer zoning restrictions, they’re not replies that I would make.
(1) There are some who would insist that students reside on campus, and there be no growth of any kind in off-campus student apartments.
(2) There would prove to be a not-in-my-backyard move against any multi-dwelling units, even among some who might relent to zoning changes (however targeted) in principle.
The campus is large relative to Whitewater, and it will not go away. (We would be ruined if, somehow, it did.) It cannot be regulated into place even with severe measures.
If not anywhere, then nowhere; if nowhere, then the present underground market will continue.
Thinking about my original post from 5/13, it focused too much on the limitations of a reclamation effort to take rental properties back to single family housing. Private construction of larger, multi-unit apartments would be an option to satisfy rental demand. That’s a growth option, too.
Here’s an objection to my proposal that new, single-family home construction be encouraged —
Edge-of-city subdivisions that would come with new growth would be undesirable to some homebuyers – they’d want homes like those currently located near the center of the city.
If homes near the city’s center are desirable in their present form, they’ll be on the market for those who want them in that form. If restrictions stifle opportunities for multi-unit, apartment demand, and that demand cannot be met, as it is not being met now, then those homes will remain attractive to multi-unit conversion.
If we have no other outlet for a demand that leads single-family homes in the core of the city being converted into apartments, we’ll not effectively prevent conversion only through zoning to protect those homes from change. Demand will work its will.
If we are to have significantly more single family homes (to bolster school enrollment, etc.), they’ll have to come from new growth. Reclamation would yield far less by comparison. There are well over a thousand more rental units, with rental construction still outpacing owner-occupied construction over these last few years. Changing that trend will require meeting rental demand while expanding new owner-occupied construction. Those new homes may be subdivision-situated, on the periphery of the city, attracting buyers finding them good purchases.