We’re in the midst of a police chief search (candidate and August 26th forum information available online), but like the mid-point of many searches, there’s only a bit to say. Open Over Closed. An open process is better, in-and-of-itself, than a closed one. Open is the right course. Outcomes matter. No matter how fine the…
City
City, Government Spending
The Libertarian Party’s Right on Target on Municipal Debt
by JOHN ADAMS •
A portion of yesterday’s Monday message from the LP appears below, from that party’s executive director. I’ve included the portion that would stand out even if not posted by itself: the role of municipal governments in profligately issuing public debt (as bonds) for local projects. It’s true that increased indebtedness occurs under Republicans as much…
City, School District
Innovation in Whitewater
by JOHN ADAMS •
There’s so much talk about innovation in Whitewater, but an example of it will be found in an old institution, not a new building. It’s not a center, but a school district, that holds innovative promise for our city. Here’s why: A Solid Record. Looking at the last two years, one sees quickly that the…
City, Crime, Laws/Regulations, Liberty
Whitewater’s Concealed Carry Debate
by JOHN ADAMS •
Concealed carry legislation went to the governor, and he signed it, about a month ago. (For an overview of that legislation, see Mary Spicuzza’s Concealed carry bill heads to Walker for signature. A provision of the bill allows communities to place restrictions on the presence of otherwise lawfully-concealed weapons, beyond the restrictions (police stations, court…
City, Weird Tales
Why Can’t Whitewater Publicize Its Own Chupacabra, Lake Monster, Giant Ape, Etc.?
by JOHN ADAMS •
In Texas, a thirteen-year-old boy believes he’s shot a chupacabra, a legendary animal that supposedly sucks the blood from its prey. Looking at the video, the dead animal looks like nothing so much as an emaciated, partly hairless coyote. (It looks a coyote that because that’s what it surely is.) Yet, even this readily-identifiable creature’s…
City, Government Spending, Taxes/Taxation
The Cost and Camouflage of Grants
by JOHN ADAMS •
There’s an item in the Whitewater city manager’s July 15th Weekly Report that shows how deceptive grants — supposedly free money — can be. First, the cost. Grants for bridges, etc., aren’t free — someone had to earn that grant money, money that found its way to one public or quasi-public organization or another. When…
City, Government Spending
If Wisconsin can do it, then so can Whitewater
by JOHN ADAMS •
City, Development, Government Spending
Meanwhile, at our business park…
by JOHN ADAMS •
I regularly read the Weekly Report of Whitewater’s city manager. I feel that I’m being helpful by doing so; if I stopped, average readership would likely fall by a third. In the July 8th edition, there’s mention of a new business, Simonswerk, that’s bringing a few jobs to our business park. A few are better…
City, Development
Whitewater’s Downtown
by JOHN ADAMS •
Walworthy County Today has a story online from Kevin Hoffman about downtown revitalization in small towns. Whitewater is part of that story. See, Communities work to revitalize downtown despite challenges. Challenges there have been. The Great Recession took a toll everywhere in America, and 2007-2009 are among the worst years in American economic history. And…
City, Police, School District
Whitewater’s Different Search Strategies
by JOHN ADAMS •
While Whitewater’s police department has embarked on a traditional search strategy with a consulting firm, Whitewater’s school district is willing first to consider internal candidates in a backyard-search strategy. Will the different methods produce results different in candidate quality? Thats hard to knoww, although a national search should yield a stronger field.
City, School District
Officials and Notice of Departure
by JOHN ADAMS •
A few quick remarks on officials and giving notice of departure. An official who’s not very good, just struggling along, will give ample notice (both implicit and explicit) of a departure. Here’s how to tell: the official will have been a second or third choice initially, will try unsuccessfully for years to leave (being rejected…
City, Law, Laws/Regulations, Liberty, Police, Politics, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Assembly Bill 173
by JOHN ADAMS •
Yesterday, Rep. Don Pridemore’s Arizona-syle immigration legislation received a numerical designation: Assembly Bill 173. The full text of the bill is online at the Legislature’s website. The bill has the following initial sponsors: “Representatives Pridemore, Wynn, LeMahieu, Kleefisch, Steineke and Jacque; Cosponsored by Senator Lasee.” One could have expected Wynn to support this measure. His…
City, Crime
Common Council: Synthetic Marijuana
by JOHN ADAMS •
Update: There’s a solid follow-up from Walworth County Today about the reach of the ban — it won’t apply to our campus, as that jurisdiction is under the authority of the state and university system. See, City of Whitewater can’t ban synthetic pot on campus. At last night’s council meeting, a clear majority of the…
City, Crime, Police
Common Council: Crime Prevention
by JOHN ADAMS •
Property crimes, although not as reprehensible as crimes of violence, are yet significant wrongs. Theft injures its victims, and undermines civil society. One has no reason to be sympathetic to thieves. Individuals and society benefit from strong private property rights. Whitewater, perhaps more than other towns nearby, has a problem with property crimes, including car…