From a reader who identified himself as ‘Aaron Burr’ — his remarks in black, my replies thereafter in blue. John, I couldn’t agree with you more concerning Steve Spear. If you are correct that he has applied to get his old job as municipal judge back, that is appalling. Under no circumstances should he be…
City
City
Who Can Stop Steve Spear? Only One Man!
by JOHN ADAMS •
Steve Spear, perpetual vulgarian, disgraced, former municipal judge, still persists in the notion that his former office belongs to him — he’s submitted an application to be appointed to the office from which he resigned in July. (That’s this July.) Perhaps you’ve seen Spear walking around town these past few weeks, plotting his comeback: Who…
City, Press
On the Whitewater Banner
by JOHN ADAMS •
I’ve written about the Whitewater Banner before, and I thought that I’d post more about that website. The Banner’s greatest strength is that it posts more Whitewater information online, more quickly, than any other website. Some newspapers post less (e.g., Daily Union, Janesville Gazette, The Week), or nothing at all (Whitewater Register). I’ve called the…
City, Police
Parsing Jim Coan’s interview with The Week on the Star Packaging Raid
by JOHN ADAMS •
Over at The Week, Mike Heine has an interview with Jim Coan, Whitewater Police Chief, about the Star Packaging Raid, and the plea of Star Packaging’s owner, Alan Petrie. I’ll leave Coan’s comments, and Heine’s text, in black, and my replies in blue, for easy distinction. Pending a sentencing hearing, a dark chapter in Whitewater’s…
City, Development, Free Markets, Inbox Reader Mail
Public Art, John Adams Replies
by JOHN ADAMS •
City
Public Art, Bill Bowen Writes
by JOHN ADAMS •
City
What if Steve Spear Returns as Municipal Judge?
by JOHN ADAMS •
Suppose Steve Spear is re-appointed municipal judge, or wins election in April 2008. What will our town do? The normal residents of Whitewater will need some way to reassure themselves that no untoward conduct will take place in the municipal judge’s chambers, or in open court. Let me offer a few suggestions. 1. The Technological…
City
Inbox: Reader Mail — Spear-o-Rama, Part 2
by JOHN ADAMS •
I received a second message recently about Steve Spear, from a reader who identified himself as “Thomas Jefferson.” (I like the name, by the way.) Thomas Jefferson relates that he’s learned that some residents and citizens of Whitewater may have sent a letter to the Common Council on behalf of Steve Spear’s re-appointment. (The Common…
City, Police
Reader Mail: Inbox — Spear-o-Rama, Part 1
by JOHN ADAMS •
I’ve received two messages recently about former municipal judge, and perpetual vulgarian, Steven Spear. The first is from a member of the Common Council. I’ll post the message in full, with my reply thereafter. (The Council member refers to my post entitled, “Spear, Coan, and Brunner.”) From a member of the Common Council: Dear “Mr.…
City, Police, Press
Coming Attractions for the Week of July 30th
by JOHN ADAMS •
We have a busy week ahead of us, with following topics on deck: Reader Mail: A letter from a member of the Common Council. Reader Mail: People who want Steve Spear’s return as municipal judge. Reader Mail: A letter from the owner of the Double Dip Deli on ‘Public Art.’ (Yes, printed in its entirety.)…
City, Police
Inflexibility as a Way of Life
by JOHN ADAMS •
Readers know that I’ve written frequently about the Star Packaging raid. The owner of Star Packaging, Alan Petrie (to whom I have no connection) faces multiple counts of supposed conspiracy to commit ‘identity theft’ for hiring Mexican workers. As I have written before, in my post entitled The Identity Theft Excuse, Petrie and the Mexican…
City, Police
Spear, Coan, and Brunner
by JOHN ADAMS •
First, Spear. Our recently-resigned municipal judge, Steven Spear, was charged in March with disorderly conduct, following a criminal investigation as recounted in The Week: Whitewater Municipal Judge Steven Spear was found guilty Wednesday of disorderly conduct, a civil violation stemming from allegations he forcibly tried to kiss a female secretary and masturbated in front of…
City, Development
CDA Website, Revisited
by JOHN ADAMS •
Faithful readers will recall that I published on May 31st a post entitled, “White, Non-Minority” in which I wrote of the Community Development Authority’s website more than a bit troubling is how they describe our potential workforce, on the Community Development page entitled, “Work Force.” Here’s what it says, as of this evening, May 31st:…
City, Inbox Reader Mail, Police
Inbox: Reader Mail
by JOHN ADAMS •
I’ll take a moment on this excellent and fair day to catch up on some reader mail. (As I publish pseudonymously, I’ll not publish the names of any readers, either.) Here are the paraphrases of questions or comments that I’ve been asked, and my replies. Comment: …finally some one who tells it like it is!!!!!…