It’s been a while – too long, really – since I have posted Register Watch™, my coverage of Whitewater, Wisconsin’s local newspaper. Here’s a return of that feature.
First, though, a summary of what I believe about our small town: we have a third-tier leadership, in significant measure, because we receive scant, or inadequate, press coverage. No single development would make this town stronger than vigorous press coverage. Most of what passes for political skill, or managerial competence, in Whitewater would not withstand that scrutiny, and over time we would have a far better leadership than our present administration and local politicians.
The Register, having experienced significant circulation declines over the last two years, is part of our problem. Want a better town? Ask harder, more serious questions. Afterward, follow up with a few more. That’s not how Whitewater works – otherwise clever but lazy politicians and career bureaucrats think that their lame justifications amount to clever and skillful public relations. Hardly.
In the January 29th issue of the Register, there are four main stories. Above the fold, one finds a headline on the Lakeland Players’ production of Front Row Center, a story about the school district’s budget, a story on Jim Winship’s write-in candidacy for the Third Aldermanic District, and a story on alternative energy ordinances in Walworth County.
Alternative energy? The alternative energy story notes that the “Walworth County Land Use and Resource Management Department (LURM) has been working to develop ordinances designed to streamline processes for residents trying to make their lives more energy efficient.”
This is a spoof, right? Walworth County residents need ordinances to streamline processes to make their lives more energy efficient? How about just installing those fluorescent bulbs that Wal-Mart sells to dupe reassure customers that it really cares about the environment? You needed an ordinance for that? If you need an ordinance to save energy, then you really need a guardian, while you’re at it.
The article talks about wind and solar energy, specifically. Fair enough – go build a windmill, or install solar panels. It’s hard to install these systems now, and there’s a way around that – repeal ordinances that make installation hard, and discharge employees who enforce them, whenever possible. Fewer burdensome laws, few people on the public payroll.
The proposed ordinances still require, depending on the size of the alternative energy source, either a conditional use permit, or a zoning permit. No permit requirement would be better. ‘Conditional use approval’ simply wastes time – and thus energy (Adams — how’s that for obvious?) – while a public panel throws conditions (impediments, really) in the way of industrious citizens with good ideas for saving energy.
A good first step would be repealing any county restrictions on use of alternative energy sources. Afterward, I know a better, second step: abolishing the Walworth County Land Use and Resource Management Department as a move toward efficiencies of all sorts.
Next: Winship’s Candidacy, and Nosek’s Request for a City without Lawn Signs