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City, Planning

Money, Memory, Butterflies

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A few more tidbits from last night’s Common Council meeting.

Money

It’s correct, but disingenuous, for Whitewater’s city manager to observe that he cannot assure spending without the Common Council’s approval (and so could not have promised a particular public works project). He’s right, but he’s the last official who should make that observation.

These recent years have seen the city manager trumpet project after project, and put himself front-and-center as a deal-maker. There are others in city government, on the council, too, who can make credibly the claim of prudent oversight; the city manger’s not among them.

Memory

Dr. Nosek, formerly on council, spoke last night, and mentioned that the city manager had once declared housing the city’s number-one problem. (I’d say it’s poverty.) Nosek’s correct in his recollection.

Goodness knows that I’m a critic of Nosek’s local proposals, but I’ve never doubted his intellect or memory. I don’t know how serious the city manager was when he decried a supposed housing problem, but Nosek’s serious about it, and remembers those words.

Butterflies

One hears that everything on earth is inter-connected, and so if a butterfly flaps its wings in Tokyo, we experience, if imperceptibly, the influence of that effort, even in Wisconsin. The theory came to mind when a member of a neighborhood association suggested that improvements to his neighborhood would make the whole city better.

Again, perhaps. That’s not the proper measure of an allocation though, is it?

The proper measure: Is this the best of all alternative allocations

One might as well say that one could produce a nice breeze in Whitewater if only one raised millions of butterflies in Tokyo — get enough insects flapping their wings in Japan, and surely we’d feel that influence in Wisconsin.

Possible, just possible, but there are better ways to spend on our community than an investment in attenuated influences at a distance. Other neighborhoods would feel the consequences of the Starin Neighborhood’s gains only slightly — there are other projects more necessary and influential for the whole city than several traffic islands along Starin Road.

Yet, we’ll have one, and perhaps a few more, before all is said and done.

Crime, Official Misconduct

The Talented Dr. Steven Hayne

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Dr. Steven Hayne is a forensic pathologist in Mississippi. He’s a fraud and liar, too. Here’s a description of his method (citations omitted):

Until 2008, Hayne performed about 80 to 90 percent of criminal autopsies in Mississippi, and has testified to performing more than 1,500 autopsies per year. Performing more than 325 autopsies per year is considered a “Phase II deficiency” by the National Association of Medical Examiners, and prevents an office from being accredited. While performing these autopsies, Hayne also regularly appeared in court to testify as a forensic expert, and held down two hospital jobs.

Hayne’s well-educated, but he applied his schooling and intellect to a method that was substandard in every way, leading errors, mistakes, and wrongful convictions.

Hayne’s shoddy work and testimony are responsible for placing innocent men on death row.

In 2008, Mississippi finally barred Hayne from performing any more autopsies within the state.

For more on Hayne’s disgraceful career, see the excellent work of Radley Balko (formerly of Reason, soon to be at the Huffington Post):

Balko, Radley (November 2007). “CSI: Mississippi: A case study in expert testimony gone horribly wrong.” Reason Magazine. http://www.reason.com/news/show/122458.html. Retrieved 2009-09-18.

Balko, Radley (October 2006). “The Case of Cory Maye: A cop is dead, an innocent man may be on death row, and drug warriors keep knocking down doors.” Reason Magazine. http://www.reason.com/news/show/36869.html. Retrieved 2009-09-18.

Balko, Radley (September 1, 2009). “Update in Mississippi: Titles Are Free!” Reason: Hit and Run. Reason Magazine. http://www.reason.com/blog/show/135818.html. Retrieved 2009-09-18.

Balko, Radley (February 19, 2009). “Manufacturing Guilt? Experts say this exclusive video shows a dental examiner creating the bite marks that put a man on death row.” Reason Magazine. http://reason.com/news/show/131527.html. Retrieved 2009-09-18.

Yet for years, despite Hayne’s absurd claims — and the unjust results they produced — he held onto his position. He even had defenders, status quo stalwarts who did anything they could to prop him up, until he was finally removed.

There’s the proof and demonstration of human nature — that some are corrupt and selfish, and will exercise power unjustly so long as they have a place from which to do so. They’ll say anything, do anything, merely to hold onto a position, title, or role. It’s not truth that inspires them, but prominence — as long as they have a chair at the table, they’re satisfied.

There’s great power in this situational amorality — without anything more than their selfish desires, they’ll dissemble, distort, and deceive so much as they need.

Hayne’s intelligent, but his career is one of degradation, of himself and others Even an ape would care better for its kind than Hayne cared for many others of his own kind.

If Hayne lasted so long, through his unremitting lies, then what finally did him in?

Someone like Balko, and others who publicized Hayne’s misconduct, eventually won the day. For if Hayne seemed the immovable object, Balko was — truly — the irresistible force. What Hayne had in selfishness, Balko exceeded in tenacity and patience. Along the way, Hayne probably seemed likely to prevail, until he was finally undone.

Politics is a long, ongoing thing. The selfishly situational — vile pigs like Hayne who will grab anything they can get — misunderstand the dynamic and transformational nature of America.

Hayne had the status quo, so to speak, but it wasn’t enough to resist a patient — very patient — doggedness for the truth.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread for 4.20.11

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Good morning.

Today calls for a slight chance of rain or snow, with a high temperature of thirty-eight.

There’s a book fair today, in the LMC library at Lincoln School, home of the Leopards.

Of libraries, the Wisconsin Historical Society notes that in

1836 – Oldest Library in the State Founded

On this date an Act of Congress created the Territory of Wisconsin and in the sixteenth and final section of that Act appropriated funds for the Wisconsin State Library to support the needs of the fledgling government. The library is still functioning but has been renamed as the Wisconsin State Law Library [Source: Wisconsin State Law Library]

City

Whitewater’s Common Council Meeting for 4.19.11 (Live Blogging)

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Here’s the format I will be using for live-blogging tonight’s Common Council meeting. I’m interested in using live-blogging to produce commentary more quickly. (My comments will remain after the meeting for later viewing.)

Additional remarks — 🙂

1. It’s a good idea for someone to express displeasure with boisterous or ornery members of the gallery. After all, each medium — live, radio, television, print — has its own standards of enough or too much. It’s worth pointing that out.

2. Although print has room for lots of fiery rhetoric, in-person conversations (and videotaped ones) require a cool delivery. That means tone has to be kept level. There’s a point in the discussion where the city manager seems really irritated with how someone described a supposed promise. There’s irritated and there’s seems irritated — and seems irritated is almost always a mistake on television.

Beyond that, a good politics has no end – it’s an ongoing process, with no fixed result. A new day begins, and new issues arise – it’s not winning or losing, but bringing one’s convictions to the events of each new day, and testing them against what one finds. A person may be privately irritated, but there’s no room for anything publicly except the next issue, the next set of facts, the next analysis, and the next advocacy.

It’s a commitment to forging ahead unfazed to that next day, to starting over again in the morning, that makes a great difference.

I’ll write about that tomorrow, in a post entitled, The Talented Dr. Hayne. more >>

Crime, University

GazetteXtra: Threat closes UWW’s Williams Center

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WHITEWATER – UW-Whitewater has closed the campus’ main athletics building after a written threat was found in a men’s restroom. A spokesman said there has been no explosion or injury. Here’s the text of a notice on the university’s website:

“Williams Center will be closed for the remainder of today, Tuesday, April 19 and all day Wednesday, April 20. A message was found in one of the men’s restrooms stating that a device would go off in the building. As a precautionary measure, the building will be evacuated and closed until 6 a.m. Thursday, April 21. This means that there will be no classes or intramural sports and all offices in Williams Center will be closed. Events not held in Williams Center will continue as scheduled.

“UW-Whitewater Police are working with area law enforcement agencies to ensure that the facility is safe. It is a criminal offense to make a bomb threat. Anyone found to be engaging in such activity will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Anyone with tips can call the Walworth County Crimestoppers line at 262-723-2677.”

Via “Threat closes UWW’s Williams Center” by Latest News — GazetteXtra.

Prompt, prudent, and poised.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread for 4.19.11

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Good morning.

Today’s forecast calls for a day of rain, snow, and sleet, with a high temperature of thirty-seven.

In Whitewater today, there will be a meeting of the Urban Foresty Commission at 4.15pm.  The meeting agenda is available online.  Later, at 6:30 p.m., there will be a meeting of the Common Council. That agenda is also available online.

In Wisconsin History, a sad and unusual story about a former governor, as the Wisconsin Historical Society tells it:

1862 – Governor Harvey Drowns in the Tennessee River

On this date Governor Louis Harvey died while leading an expedition to relieve Wisconsin troops after the battle of Shiloh. The expedition was bringing doctors, nurses, and much-needed medical supplies to soldiers when Harvey, crossing from one steamboat to another, slipped, fell into the swift currents of the Tennessee River, and never re-surfaced. His body was recovered ten days later, nearly sixty miles downstream. When news reached Madison, Lieutenant Governor Edward Salomon was sworn in as Wisconsin’s first German-American governor. [Source: Wisconsin in the Civil War, by Frank L. Klement]

Beautiful Whitewater, City, Economy

Whitewater’s Ongoing Success Story

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I’ve written before about the Whitewater Aquatic Center, and its impressive financial turnaround. See, A Whitewater Success Story: The Whitewater Aquatic Center. That positive news continues, and a story at Walworth County Today notes that the WAC has successfully erased past deficits —

The aquatic center opened in 2001 and was operated by Mercy Health System for more than five years. The board of directors assumed control in 2009 and has since steadily restructured spending to chip away at the deficit.

In 2008, the center was losing about $250,000 annually. Shortly after management changed hands, that decreased to $100,000.

Last year’s deficit was a far-smaller $10,000, with better news expected for this year.

It’s hard to over-estimate this accomplishment: local control has brought an astonishing turnaround. Even more impressive, all this was accomplished during the most difficult economic and financial conditions America’s faced in generations.

Whitewater’s had her share of successes, surely, but this one stands out as particularly impressive.

This is a good story, and I think it’s impossible to hear of it without smiling.

See, President: Whitewater Aquatic Center costs have dramatically decreased.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread for 4.18.11

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Good morning.

We’ve a dusting of snow, and we’re on our way to a high temperature of forty-three.

In our schools, there’s summer school registration this afternoon and evening.  Registration is also available online.

The Wisconsin Historical Society remembers a time when Wisconsin was part of Michigan:

1818 – Wisconsin Becomes Part of Michigan Territory

On this date land encompassing current day Wisconsin was made part of the Michigan Territory, representing one step in Wisconsin’s path to statehood. It had been part of the Northwest Territory from July 13, 1787 to May 11, 1800; of Indiana Territory from May, 1800 to Feb. 3, 1809; and of Illinois Territory from Feb. 3, 1809 to April 18, 1818. The Territory of Wisconsin was formed July 4, 1836.

Press Release

Downtown Whitewater, Inc. Presents “Tour d’ Triangle,” Saturday, May 7th

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Downtown Whitewater, Inc. Presents “Tour d’ Triangle”

WHITEWATER, Wis. (April 12, 2011) – “The Triangle” as it is becoming known, will host their inaugural “Tour d’ Triangle” on Saturday May 7, 2011 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm beginning at Cravath Lake Front Park.  Downtown Whitewater, Inc. is partnering with W3 ~ Working for Whitewater’s Wellness to promote the new art inspired bike racks and cycling for exercise through a good old-fashion fun filled friends & family event.

Last year Downtown Whitewater hosted the Whitewater Gone Wild Safari featuring Jungle Jack Hanna to raise funds to purchase additional bike racks for the downtown area.  With an emphasis on functionality, public art and shopping local, fourteen new bike racks will soon be installed.

Look for the Comedy & Tragedy Theater Mask near the Young Auditorium, the Library Books promoting READ at the public Library, a Blue Fish and Bicycle at Cravath Lake Front Park, a Coffee Cup at the Sweet Spot Coffee Shoppe, a Pizza Slice at Toppers Pizza, a TREK Bike and several Shopping Bags promoting the communities shop local program, Think Whitewater, art inspired bike racks.

W3 ~ Working for Whitewater’s Wellness is a community coalition that promotes healthy lifestyles.  W3 encourages you to take part in the Triangle Bike Tour for a little bit of exercise, a little bit of history and a whole lot of fun.

Start your morning at Cravath Lake Front Park at the first Bike Rack Tour stop, answer a history question about Whitewater’s rich history, for example, “When was the Grist Mill Dam built” and perform a physical exercise such as “10 jumping jacks” and then bike to the next rack you choose on the tour for more fun.  Each time you stop at one of the rack tour stops get your passport punched.  Bring your passport back to Cravath Lake Front Park for the last tour stop with at least 10 out of 14 punches and receive your prize and join in more fun.  Healthy snacks and water will be available to purchase and a map of the event with a recommended route will be available to print as the tour draws closer.

The Bike Federation will be on hand to talk about their Share and Be Aware program and will give a presentation at 12:30 pm.  Dave Saalsaa, owner of Quiet Hut Sports along with TREK will be on hand introducing new bikes and will have disc golf set up for you to play.  John & Liz Sotherland, owners of BicycleWise & Sport Fitness will also be on hand promoting Sotherland Custom Bicycles; their new line of bikes designed & built by John Sutherland.

Both sporting goods businesses will also show you basic care and maintenance for your bike such as, when should you oil your chain, correct height of your seat or how much air should be in your tires for the optimal performance.  The Whitewater Police Department will be handing out Rules of the Road for bikes and available for any questions.  W3 will offer maps of the Whitewater area bike trails and have information about their organization and will be promoting biking, running, and other activities to stay healthy.

Activities at the park such as, an obstacle course, maze, twister and more, plus safety information will be going on until 2 pm.  Please bring your family and friends and join Downtown Whitewater, Inc. and W3 ~ Working for Whitewater’s Wellness for a great afternoon filled with fun and history as they encourage a healthy lifestyle through biking and exercise and promote the new bike racks and their locations.

Downtown Whitewater was formed in 2006 and is working to preserve, improve and promote Whitewater’s quality of life by strengthening our historic downtown as the heartbeat of the community.

The Triangle

Eat * Shop * Enjoy