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Daily Bread

Daily Bread: October 17, 2008

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Good morning, Whitewater


In Wisconsin history on this date, in 1970, the Wisconsin Historical Society reports that the Richard Nixon visited Green Bay. Nixon went to speak at a dinner honoring Bart Starr.

(Nixon had another Green Bay connection, of sorts. Nixon reportedly considered Vince Lombardi as a possible running mate in 1968, abandoning the idea when he learned that Lombardi was a Democrat. Above, you can see what Lombardi avoided missed.)

There are no public meetings scheduled for the city today. The path to your weekend is unobstructed.

The National Weather Service predicts that today will bring a 30% chance of showers, and a high temperature of 53 degrees. The Farmers’ Almanac starts a new, multi-day series with a prediction of “squalls Great Lakes area.”

Yesterday’s better prediction: NWS, again. It’s been a bad run for the long-range planning of the FA.

City, Development

A City-University Technology Park in Whitewater

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On Sunday, the Janesville Gazette published a story on a proposed joint technology park between the city and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Arguments in favor of the part include new jobs for researchers, but far more so, a way to offer businesses a reason to locate in Whitewater.  The principal argument against is likely to be the cost of the venture, estimated at eleven million dollars.

See, City, university proposing technology park for a solid summary of the proposal.

Eleven million dollars seems like a lot of money, but it may not be the biggest obstacle a university-connected technology park in Whitewater would face.

Missing in the proposal is a serious acknowledgment of the cultural opposition that the university finds within our city.  Candidly, we’re scarcely one city at all – we’re a city with a campus inside, a campus variously scorned, suspected, ignored, and only occasionally embraced.

This is our condition now, with the university committed, fundamentally, to a teaching mission.  We have had little success with harmony now, and yet our municipal administration proposes a significant program with little awareness of how poorly received the plan may be.

(When some university officials ignore these challenges, I am reminded of the difference between being a class in oneself and a class for oneself.

I see also that, in the Gazette, Randy Marnocha, vice chancellor for administrative affairs at UW-Whitewater, talks of the benefits of the proposal. I am nonetheless reminded that the same administrator saw benefit in a joint municipal-university court. See, Joint Court Could be Just the Ticket. I saw no gain in a joint court, as it was legally impermissible. An unfeasible plan brings no benefit – see my post on the joint court, Whitewater Common Council Meeting for 9/2: The Joint Court Proposal.)

We have a municipal administration that calls for a technology park with a necessary university connection, yet seriously suggests that re-zoning to accommodate students in one part of the city requires greater restrictions elsewhere.

The idea of a net gain in students off-campus is just intolerable to a loud minority – and the administration appeases rather than enforces to satisfy this constituency.

(No one sensible questions a right of quiet enjoyment; does anyone sensible think that the city’s approach has been the right one?)

I would not oppose a tech park, if it were funded soundly.  (That’s a big condition, as it should be.)  I would, however, be surprised if the changes that a technology park would bring to the city would be well-received by those few who enjoying being big fish in our small, still pond.  A large expansion of a professional, technology-industry class within the city would have a profound influence on life here.  I would welcome it, but others would not react so favorably.

Some of our present leaders – no matter what they think of themselves – would be held to a much higher standard if we had a large tech-economy.  One need only look to cities with thriving upper-middle class tech professionals to see that the business as usual approach here would be intolerable to them.  What passes for a clever municipal approach just wouldn’t work.

Unlike a small, obstinate, native faction (perhaps a thousand of fourteen-thousand), no one coming to a technology park will be sold on the idea that it’s reasonable to defer to Whitewater’s peculiar standards.

A technology park is unrealistic in a city with a loud minority already ill-at-ease with its campus. A proposal like this ignores our current culture, and for that reason alone will likely prove unviable. There are barriers greater than money in our way.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread: October 16, 2008

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Good morning, Whitewater

There is one public meeting scheduled for the city today: the CDA Housing Loan Committee meets at 5 p.m.

The National Weather Service predicts that today will be a sunny day, with a high temperature of 58 degrees. The Farmers’ Almanac starts a new, multi-day series with a prediction of “squalls Great Lakes area.” Great Lakes area: no small territory that!

Yesterday’s better prediction: NWS, for quite a few days running.

In our schools today, it’s Market Day pickup at Lincoln School.

In Wisconsin history on this date, in 1850, the Wisconsin Historical Society reports that the longest-running county fair in Wisconsin began its run: “the Walworth County Fair was held for the first time in the village of East Troy. This is the oldest existing county fair on record in Wisconsin.”

The fair has its own website, WalworthCountyFair.com

School District

On the School District and its Administrator

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You may have noticed, here or there, that our District Administrator will leave her post at the end of this school year, on June 30th, 2009.  It was widely circulated over the weekend, and I alluded to it on my Monday morning Daily Bread post. 

(A school board meeting about contractual matters involving unrepresented parties – if dozens hadn’t already chatted about it in this chatty town — the meeting notice was indication.)

Nothing about the story is surprising – an administrator who seeks several positions elsewhere, as was true last spring – has likely already inclined toward departure.  Extended tenure was improbable.  I thought the account of those interviews more interesting than any news since, because I believed that they told the tale. 

You can guess that I’m not inclined to offer an over-sized photograph of Mrs. Steinhaus, as hagiography by camera’s just not my taste. 

I wrote recently that there were three things worth exploring about our school district, from a post entitled, Schools Run as Markets –

(1) Are we performing better for what we spend and commit, across many years?

(2) How can markets or market-like free choices improve education?

(3) How can markets or market-like free choices improve education in our small school district?

I would add two more questions to these three:

(4) What is the general financial health of the district?

(5) Are we in compliance with state and federal laws for the disadvantaged?

No farewell, no matter how crafted or attended, will forestall these questions, or alter the answer to them. 

In the meantime, you may enjoy on our new district logo, neither red nor featuring a whippet, but likely to endure nonetheless.

Economy, Free Markets, Libertarians

Reason‘s Carnival of Posts Against the Bailout

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Reason has a fine, single post linking to their many posts and videos against the federal bailout.

The post is entitled, “Read Up on the Bailout and More Before Monday’s Opening Bell Signals More Losses!” It lists nearly twenty posts against the bailout, making a sound case against significant expansion of federal power.

Among them — economist Russell Roberts talks about the many problems the bailout presents:


Great links, all. more >>

Daily Bread

Daily Bread: October 15, 2008

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Good morning, Whitewater

There are two public meetings scheduled in the city today: the Tree Commission meets at 4 p.m., and the Community Development Authority Business Park Marketing Committee meets at 5 p.m.

The National Weather Service predicts today will bring a near certain chance of rain, with a high temperature of 56 degrees. The Farmers’ Almanac predicts “cold winds and rain for the Ohio River Valley, followed by clearing and cold conditions.”

Yesterday’s better predictions: NWS.

In our schools today, it’s picture re-take day at Lincoln and Lakeview Schools, a 7 p.m. PTO meeting at the Middle School, and Concert Choir at the high school at 7:30 p.m.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread: October 14, 2008

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Good morning, Whitewater

There are no public meetings scheduled in the city today.

Yesterday, at 6:30 in the morning, I noted that there would be a “a special meeting of the School Board, where the agenda indicates that virtually the entire meeting is devoted to executive session contractual matters.” Well, there was no secret about what this session meant — that the district administrator would leave at the end of this school year, June 2009. There was always the chance that the session might be postponed, and an implication seemed enough. I’ll post more about this tonight.

The National Weather Service predicts today will bring mostly sunny skies, with a high temperature of 63 degrees. The Farmers’ Almanac predicts “cold winds and rain for the Ohio River Valley, followed by clearing and cold conditions.”

Yesterday’s better predictions: NWS.

In Wisconsin History, an example of the Draconian excesses of Prohibition: Wisconsin Historical Society reports that in 1930 the

Wisconsin Supreme Court affirmed the Janesville Municipal Court’s decision that 76-year-old Silas Bliven of Janesville pay $250 and serve 30 days in county jail at “hard labor” (usually the rock pile) for illegal possession of alcohol.

That’s possession, not distribution, by the way.

In national history today, on this day in 1947 Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier. Here’s short video on Yeager’s accomplishment, from the 60th anniversary of his barrier-breaking flight:


Daily Bread

Daily Bread: October 13, 2008

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Good morning, Whitewater

Today, at 6:30 p.m., there will be a meeting of Whitewater’s Irvin Young Library Board, held at the library. There are no other public meetings scheduled in the city today.

In our schools today, there is a special meeting of the School Board, where the agenda indicates that virtually the entire meeting is devoted to executive session contractual matters.

The National Weather Service predicts today will bring patchy fog, a high of 78 degrees, and a 50% chance of thunderstorms later tonight. The Farmers’ Almanac predicts “cold winds and rain for the Ohio River Valley, followed by clearing and cold conditions.”

Last week’s better predictions: NWS.

in Wisconsin History, the Wisconsin Historical Society reports that Milwaukee, in 1924, hired its first black police officer, Judson Walter Minor.

In national history today, it’s Columbus Day. No mail delivery, some parades, a continuing debate about whether Columbus arrived here first from Europe, and was an honorable explorer or emissary of oppression, etc.

If even a few federal offices are closed, in Washington and beyond, it’s worth all the fuss.

Orange Salamander, Twitter

Orange Salamander for Last Week

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Last real danger was two years ago, ending in capture and commitment of Loretta a.k.a. ‘Lottie the Psycho’ Only caught after confession on live TV

Since Lottie, garden variety crime and administrative mediocrity are enjoying an extended run before packed houses each night

Felicia the MBA: friends with ex-wife #2, still cordial Smart, hard-working, clever What we’d like to be if we stopped insisting we already were

Elderly Betty Crockman walks by Called Betty Crock o’ for her b.s. Sure she hears God’s voice in her own humble opinions

I step inside Felicia’s office She looks concerned Have you ever seen something like this? she asks, as she pushes a small metal case toward me

Small pewter box, unmarked Inside: orange plastic salamander & note, folded in thirds

The note: ‘Walk Swim More Talk Write More Never a Chore’ Notebook paper, cut unevenly, folded awkwardly

Odd handwriting in blue ink Confident, bold Spoof? Mental patient? Politician? All possibilities

Felicia asks me what it means I don’t know Unusual acquaintances? Anyone/anything different? She stares back at me

Salamander left at her office door this morning I take the items, head to my place to ponder The Clergyman drives past

Clergyman: If gossip were Doctrine, he’d be a bishop Scurries for info like a pigeon for breadcrumbs, hoping for bits to drop

My apt: bdrm, lr, den books computer dog-crap DSL connection parrot named Ludwig Scandinavian austerity

All my ex-wives use Microsoft – justification for annulment Only Apple here No crashes OS X boots fast, Safari ready

Search of note’s message – nothing but Irrelevant, Unlikely Google, deep web nothing Lyrics? Poem? Stoner talk? Why now? Why Felicia?

Note’s meaning? Walk, Swim More – salamanders walk & swim, what more? Orange ones live in Midwest, in forest streams

‘Talk Write More’ What’s more? Read, publish, photograph, film? Handwriting’s bold, in blue ink

Toy salamander’s made in China, like toys, textiles, government corruption, dissidents People’s Republic mass produces everything

Notebook paper, cut from a composition book, wide ruled Pewter box has no other contents

Library visit: small, modern, expanding A book on salamanders, few on amphibians On the shelf, a book not listed online: Salamanders and You

Unlisted salamander book: page 12, in margin, bold blue marker: ‘Not old books, but new pages, form the plan’

Libertarians

AP: “Bailout Angst Provides a Push for Libertarian Barr”

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The Associated Press’s Ben Evans has a story, “Bailout angst provides a push for Libertarian Barr,” on Libertarian Party oppostion to the recent bailout.

The story suggests that Barr might gain from the federal bailout, but then notes that he hasn’t yet gained, and likley won’t.

The story suggests the possibility for Barr’s gain:

Private markets fail, politicians from both parties jump to their rescue, and taxpayers get stuck with the bill. Libertarian candidate Bob Barr couldn’t have scripted a better story line to argue that Republicans and Democrats are interchangeable — with a helpless addiction to spending.

Can Barr capitalize on it during the closing weeks of the presidential campaign? Republican strategists fear any gains he makes could come at the expense of their ticket because Barr’s economic views are closer to those of GOP nominee John McCain than to Democrat Barack Obama.

Here’s the more prosaic truth:

Polls so far aren’t registering a shift to the Libertarian candidate in spite of widespread outrage over the $700 billion rescue package. The former GOP congressman from Georgia is languishing with about the same 1 percent share of support he’s had for months….

A national Associated Press-GfK poll taken Sept. 27-30 found Barr with just 1 percent support. In recent polls in swing states like Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, he has less than that….

In Barr’s case, the bailout could marginally boost his campaign, said Alan Abramowitz, a political scientist who studies presidential politics at Emory University. But he said Barr needs to get his message out more effectively to make any gains.

“It’s the kind of issue that should work for him. I’m sure that some die-hard conservatives are very unhappy with McCain over his support for the bailout,” Abramowitz said. “But as far as it having much impact, I don’t think Barr is visible enough at this point.”

Orange Salamander, Twitter

The Orange Salamander for 10/10/08

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Note’s meaning? Walk, Swim More – salamanders walk & swim, what more? Orange ones live in Midwest, in forest streams

‘Talk Write More’ What’s more? Read, publish, photograph, film? Handwriting’s bold, in blue ink

Toy salamander’s made in China, like toys, textiles, government corruption, dissidents People’s Republic mass produces everything

Notebook paper, cut from a composition book, wide ruled Pewter box has no other contents

Library visit: small, modern, expanding A book on salamanders, few on amphibians On the shelf, a book not listed online: Salamanders and You

Unlisted salamander book: page 12, in margin, bold blue marker: ‘Not old books, but new pages, form the plan’

Libertarians

Libertarian Bob Barr on the Bailout

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Here’s a typical Barr campaign video for the Internet – Barr’s not running national television commercials, as there’s no money for that.  (There have been some radio spots – new for the LP nationally.) 

In his video spots, Barr speaks in an informal setting, across a desk, and describes an LP position in a few minutes, but without much detail. He’s speaks to those who are inclined to his views, assuming they agree with him on the counter-productive consequence of government intervention in the economy. 

Barr was a Congressman from Georgia, and he has a legislative, not executive, manner about him.  It’s nothing like the direct but more stylish approach other presidential candidates might take – it’s more like listening to a co-worker in an office. 

I’ll post later on the Associated Press‘s analysis on the political efficacy of the Libertarian Party’s opposition to the bailout. more >>

Daily Bread

Daily Bread: October 10, 2008

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Good morning, Whitewater

As was true yesterday, there are no public meetings scheduled for the City of Whitewater today. It’s a two-day private-life streak. Enjoy.

In our schools, it’s Pennies for Patients at Lakeview and Washington Schools. Football tonight vs. Edgerton, at Edgerton.

The National Weather Service predicts today be sunny with a high of 71 degrees. The Farmers’ Almanac predicts “sunny skies.”

Yesterday’s better prediction: Even. Was it really even, though, if the long-range planner’s forecast (FA) has no temperature or other details? Calling it even is being generous.

On this day in Wisconsin history, in 1982. the Brewers won the American league pennant. It was a five-game series then, and the Brewers won the series 3-2 over the Angels, after losing the first two games.