On December 28th, the Janesville Gazette published a story entitled, “Walworth County search warrants could disappear.” I posted on that astonishing possibility, in a post entitled, “The Secret Warrants of Walworth County.” Here’s what the Gazette uncovered in its original story: ELKHORN – In some Wisconsin counties, sealed court documents hold back details from search…
Press
City, Press
For Whitewater, Wisconsin: No Reckless Pranks Needed
by JOHN ADAMS •
Over at the Volokh Conspiracy, a group blog of law professors and academics, there’s a post about the unfortunate conduct of James O’Keefe, an activist. In a post entitled, “One Sting Too Many,” Jonathon Adler writes about allegations against O’Keefe: It’s one thing to pretend to be a pimp when interviewing ACORN employees. It’s quite…
City, Planning, Press
On Whitewater, Wisconsin’s Recent Bond Rating
by JOHN ADAMS •
Whitewater City Manager Kevin Brunner recently touted an A2 rating from Moody’s Investor Services. It’s what he didn’t say that’s most telling. In his January 15th Weekly Report, Whitewater City Manager Kevin Brunner announced an affirmation from Moody’s Investor Services of the city’s A2 bond rating. The city’s rating is assigned to the sale of…
City, Innovation Center/Tech Park, Planning, Press
On the Innovation Center’s Anchor Tenant
by JOHN ADAMS •
Small-town Whitewater is spending about eleven million dollars in federal money and municipal debt for a Technology Park, with a showcase Innovation Center. The amount is more than the annual budget of the city, and it’s federal deficit spending, and municipal public debt, that will make this project possible. (Note: I will comment generally on…
Libertarians, Planning, Press
Libertarian Party of WI: Doyle’s Clean Energy Plan is Good News/Bad News
by JOHN ADAMS •
There’s a press release from the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin available about Gov. Doyle’s clean energy plan. The release happily acknowledges that the plan requires no new state spending, but correctly observes that mandates and regulations will further burden Wisconsin’s beleaguered economy. See, Doyle’s Clean Energy Plan is Good News/Bad News.
Press
Wisconsin State Journal: Prosecutor used charges to leverage civil suit, complaint alleges
by JOHN ADAMS •
One of the supposed advantages of living in Wisconsin is that the small size of communities, and supposed open, forthright character of citizens, will prevent the kind of unfair pressure and influence that officials may exert in huge, crowded cities. Perhaps not. From Dane County, the Wisconsin State Journal reports on allegations against a prosecutor…
City, Press
Reporting on Whitewater’s Water
by JOHN ADAMS •
When it takes years for a homeowner to learn of a problem, one can expect that when she does, she will be both frustrated and suspicious for the delay. There are two published newspaper stories, from nearby newspapers, that recount the concerns of a Whitewater resident about environmental contamination from a now-defunct gas station. The…
Press
Whitewater newspaper office closes — GazetteXtra
by JOHN ADAMS •
Elkhorn, Press
The Secret Warrants of Walworth County
by JOHN ADAMS •
Update, 2/9/10: See a follow-up post, Update: The Secret Warrants of Walworth County. A tenured surgeon walks into an operating room with a pair of chopsticks. Someone notices that the surgeon is carrying two wooden sticks instead of a scalpel. The surgeon replies, “Now that we’re having this discussion, I’ll address it.” What would you…
Press
Paper files suit over UW records – JSOnline
by JOHN ADAMS •
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has filed suit under Wisconsin’s Public Records Law to compel release of faculty comments about a proposed conflict-of-interest policy for the faculty. It’s both unfortunate and wrong that the faculty comments have not been released. On the other hand, at least a few people seem to be considering what might give…
Press
YouTube, Twitter, and the Web Make Lying Harder
by JOHN ADAMS •
At ten this morning, I posted a video of a snowball fight from Washington, D.C. The video is about a confrontation between a D.C. police officer and a group of pedestrians, some of whom were throwing snowballs at cars. The officer unholstered his gun, as photos, his own remarks, and eyewitness testimony amply confirmed. Not…
Press
Editor & Publisher
by JOHN ADAMS •
City, Press, University
Real Risks in a Real Town
by JOHN ADAMS •
There’s a view – almost a wish – that in a small town, life will prove less regulated, and the only regulations the community issues are the most important, truly concerning health and safety. Sometimes, after paying for another permit, or sitting in a traffic jam caused by another urban plan gone awry, someone in…
Press
How ’bout an Opinion Letter?
by JOHN ADAMS •
In the post immediately below this one, I commented on a story in the Janesville Gazette on that paper’s four tries to get a response to a public records request. (See, After four requests, Gazette gets open records.) I seldom comment on Rock County events, but the Wisconsin Public Records Law is an important safeguard…