[This is the second of a series on poverty in Whitewater. Part 1 showed that we have a family poverty rate far higher than surrounding communities.] Previously, in Part 1, I used the same census data that the City of Whitewater posted on its website to show that we have a family poverty rate roughly…
City
City, Development, Economy, Free Markets, Poverty
Poverty in Whitewater, Part 1 (Introduction)
by JOHN ADAMS •
We are, without the slightest reasonable doubt, a beautiful but troubled city. It’s unmistakable that our economy falls short for many, and I will support this contention more conclusively than any happy, but deceptive, pictures from another website, or city publication, could suggest otherwise. We have become a proud, arrogant place, willing to trumpet chimerical…
City
Common Council Meeting for September 18, 2007
by JOHN ADAMS •
This was a meeting where the interesting remarks, like the devil, were subtle and in the details. ‘Death-Knell for the District.’ A councilman didn’t waste time explaining (again) that student housing is bad for the community. He described it as the “death-knell” for his district. Presumably, he feels that it would be the death-knell for…
City
Update on ‘Open Letter: Race and Ethnicity?’
by JOHN ADAMS •
City
Open Letter: Race & Ethnicity?
by JOHN ADAMS •
Update — 9/18/2007 — I see that the City of Whitewater has updated its demographics information, with a link entitled, “VIEW WHITEWATER’S DEMOGRAPHICS” to a U.S. Census document on Whitewater in 2000. It’s a predictable response: post to a U.S. government document, with the implication that nothing in a federal document could be unsuitable. It’s…
City, Free Markets, University
Common Council Meeting for September 4, 2007
by JOHN ADAMS •
Here’s my commentary on the Common Council meeting for September 4th. It was quite an evening. Drive-Through. The lively topic Tuesday was Council’s review of a Planning Commission endorsement (4-2) of a drive-through window for liquor sales at the Westsider. (I posted previously on the Planning Commission meeting where this recommendation was issued.) After a…
City
Observing Living Conditions
by JOHN ADAMS •
Here’s the first numbered topic from a weekly city report: 1. Targeted Housing and Property Maintenance Code Enforcement Program to Begin Next Week The City will begin a targeted housing and property maintenance enforcement program next week that will focus on the neighborhoods throughout the City but with particular emphasis on those surrounding the UW-Whitewater…
City, Development, Free Markets
Planning and Architectural Review Commission Meeting for Monday, 8/27
by JOHN ADAMS •
A few, quick observations on Monday night’s planning and architectural review commission meeting. Where we are weaker than nearby cities, we should be less restrictive than they are; where we are stronger, we should be no more restrictive. We live well, as beneficiaries of a free market, but we quickly forget how dynamic and innovative…
City
The Bullet We Dodged
by JOHN ADAMS •
The long-expected civil suit against Steve Spear made its way to a court docket recently, only shortly after the Common Council rejected Spear’s appointment to the office from which he had weeks-earlier resigned in disgrace. Whitewater dodged a bullet when it took the only rational step available: ignoring Spear’s application. Perhaps Spear plans to run…
City, Police, Press
Burying the Story: Update on Larry Meyer
by JOHN ADAMS •
Whitewater Police investigator Larry Meyer, now retired, has been at the center of two controversial investigations: Star Packaging and that of a local landscaping company. The latter investigation has led to a federal civil suit against Meyer. On August 2nd, The Week, under Donna Lenz Wright’s byline, ran a story on the lawsuit, entitled, “Expert…
City
Common Council Meeting, August 21st: Part 3
by JOHN ADAMS •
Here’s my “Mood of It All” segment about Tuesday’s Council meeting. I’ll offer observations on the meeting’s atmosphere, etc. Don’t Get Angry. This was one of my underlying themes from an earlier post, “Tips for Meetings.” Cool often works better than hot, and this is especially true for those watching on cable. For those in…
City
Common Council Meeting, August 21st: Part 2
by JOHN ADAMS •
If most parts of the meeting were comfortably conventional, the same cannot be said for the discussion about infractions of residential zoning requirements, and the putative violations of landlords and tenants. It’s an understatement to say that it’s a hot-button issue. The problem is serious for a few residents, whose property has been damaged, and…
City
Common Council, August 21st: Part 1
by JOHN ADAMS •
Tuesday’s Common Council meeting was a good representation of a typical city meeting, with several matters before the Council, but nothing out of the ordinary. Here’s the first part of a recap, with (of course) commentary. From the City Manager’s report. The most important part of the report, and maybe the most important part of…
City, Inbox Reader Mail, Review
City of Whitewater Website Review: Reply and Thoughts
by JOHN ADAMS •
I arrived home late last night to the city, but wanted to post quickly this morning excerpts from an email that I received from Tim Nobling, Whitewater’s Information Technology Administrator. The use of excerpts is intended solely to convey the meaning of the email, while making this post manageable to read. The email in black,…