The Common Council meeting began with a swearing in ceremony for three council members. Two were returning incumbents (Stewart and Taylor) and one was a new council member (Binnie). Council President. The next action was an election for Council president. There were two nominees: Jim Stewart and Patrick Singer. Stewart is a retired employee of…

UPDATE, Tuesday evening: I neglected to mention an email that I received pointing out the increasing frequency of dog waste on city sidewalks in the downtown. I have not had the misfortune to step in any canine calling cards. It’s worth saying, though, that a phony war on dumpsters (see below) leaves aside any number…

For many races in Wisconsin, April 1st was our general election. Although the presidential and congressional elections await us in November, many offices are now decided. For the most part, especially in offices for City Council, Municipal Judge, and our School Board, incumbents prevailed. Two of three City Council seats were unopposed; the third seat…

In our small city, we have a Common Council of seven members, and a city manager appointed by the council. Of our seven council members, six have been elected, and one sits as an appointee to fill the remainder of a vacant term. They do not sit in session alone: the city clerk sits in…

Good morning, new readers from across America. The fine Wisconsin State Journal story from veteran reporter Dee Hall, entitled “Whitewater Police Pursue Anonymous Blogger, Critic” has circulated far and wide, to every part of America. From nearby East Troy and LaCrosse, to Oklahoma City, Boston, and Alaska, thousands of new readers have visited this small…