Part 6, “Asking About Former Residents.” (For earlier parts of this series, please click this link: Witch-Hunting a Blogger in Whitewater, Wisconsin.) From the public records, in September 2007: If you once lived in Whitewater, but moved to a nearby town, that doesn’t mean that you’re free from Chief Coan’s suspicious gaze. In this exchange,…
City
City, Libertarians, Public Records 1
Witch-Hunting a Blogger in Whitewater, Wisconsin: Part 5
by JOHN ADAMS •
Part 5, “Running Plates on Citizen Photographers.” (For earlier parts of this series, please click this link: Witch-Hunting a Blogger in Whitewater, Wisconsin.) From the public records, in September 2007, our Director of Public Works, Dean Fischer, asks Chief Coan to run the license plate number of an elderly man who had been taking pictures…
City, Libertarians, Public Records 1
Witch-Hunting a Blogger in Whitewater, Wisconsin: Part 4
by JOHN ADAMS •
Part 4, “The List of Suspects.” (For earlier parts of this series, please click this link: Witch-Hunting a Blogger in Whitewater, Wisconsin.) Later in August, a private citizen writes to our City Clerk, Michele Smith, and lets Smith know that the citizen’s husband is not John Adams. (Of course not — I’m John Adams!) It’s…
City, Libertarians, Public Records 1
Witch-Hunting a Blogger in Whitewater, Wisconsin: Part 3
by JOHN ADAMS •
Part 3, “The Sergeant’s Intelligence Operation.” (For earlier parts of this series, please click this link: Witch-Hunting a Blogger in Whitewater, Wisconsin.) From the public records, in early August 2007, Police Detective Sergeant Tina Winger learns (from a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater police officer named Pieper) about FREE WHITEWATER, and alerts Chief Coan. Coan replies to…
City, Libertarians, Public Records 1
Witch-Hunting a Blogger in Whitewater, Wisconsin: Part 2
by JOHN ADAMS •
Part 2, “The Police Chief Recruits a Computer Sleuth.” (For earlier parts of this series, please click this link: Witch-Hunting a Blogger in Whitewater, Wisconsin.) The police chief of Whitewater, Wisconsin is James R. Coan. He’s variously called Jim, James, or simply, Chief. I have been critical of certain practices of his, and he hasn’t…
City, Libertarians, Public Records 1
Witch-Hunting a Blogger in Whitewater, Wisconsin: Introduction
by JOHN ADAMS •
Summary. This is the true account of a pseudonymous blogger from Whitewater, Wisconsin who became the target of public officials’ months-long witch-hunt, to learn his identity using public resources, on public time. I am that blogger. My name is John Adams, and I am the pseudonymous author of FREE WHITEWATER, a local website with commentary…
City, Libertarians, Public Records 1
Beginning Monday, 3/3/08: Witch-Hunting a Blogger in Whitewater, Wisconsin
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good morning. Beginning Monday, March 3rd, I will offer the true account of a pseudonymous blogger from Whitewater, Wisconsin who became the target of public officials’ months-long witch-hunt, to learn his identity using public resources, on public time. I am that blogger. My name is John Adams, and I am the pseudonymous author of FREE…
City, Police
Police and Fire Commission: February Meeting
by JOHN ADAMS •
City, Libertarians, Public Records 1
Public Records Requests 2008-1, A and B
by JOHN ADAMS •
A few weeks ago, I submitted a public records request to the City of Whitewater. Some have asked me how my request has fared. Yesterday, the City of Whitewater sent a response to my request. The response included a fair amount of email, but perhaps not all that I requested. I will review the documents,…
City
Legislating Prosperity
by JOHN ADAMS •
Months ago, I wrote about a neighborhood services effort to notify homeowners of ways in which they fell short of City of Whitewater code standards. The post, entitled, “Your Messy House? My Better Plan!” criticized the overly fussy letters to residents. I suggested alternative targets for the city’s aesthetic ire. There’s an even bigger problem…
City, Development, Economy, Free Markets
Zoning and Housing Prices
by JOHN ADAMS •
Readers may recall that I have criticized politician-dentist Roy Nosek for his advocacy of limitations on student housing. Here are some of my posts on the subject: On Nosek on Student Housing, Part 1 (Economics) On Nosek on Student Housing, Part 2 (Culture) Student Housing in Whitewater One of the points that I have made…
City
On Primary Election Day, 19 February 2008
by JOHN ADAMS •
A few quick thoughts on the primary in Whitewater: Predictions. At the beginning of the year, I offered predictions for 2008. After the Whitewater primary, I’m probably 1-1. Sen. Obama likely will win Whitewater in November, and our incumbent municipal judge will probably be elected in his own right in April. (I have a preferred…