Part 8, “Watching People at a Celebration.”
(For earlier parts of this series, please click this link: Witch-Hunting a Blogger in Whitewater, Wisconsin.)
From the public records, in November 2007 — Many people worked hard, and contributed time, effort, and funding to rebuild Whitewater’s Stone Stable. It was a proud moment for our city. I celebrated the efforts of those who worked so hard, and admired their dedication to our history. Here’s a picture of the Stone Stable that I took during reconstruction, that shows how much work had to be done:
Those who worked on that effort – I am very sure – did it for love of their community, and respect for our history. It was not a political matter for them, and the dedication ceremony was not a place to track celebrants and attendees.
Chief Coan and the City Clerk saw it differently – as a chance to be on the watch for John Adams.
The exchange appears below in black font, followed by the actual PDF documents I obtained, and then my commentary in blue font.
The exchange:
From: James Coan
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 4:49 PM
To: Michele Smith
Subject: Stone Stable Dedication
Michele,
How much do you want to bet that “John Adams” will be present for the Stone Stable dedication and reception on
the 17th (or maybe even taking photos)? I have a good mind to watch from my office. Otherwise, perhaps Alan or his designee could pan the crowd.
Jim
******
From: Michele Smith
Sent: Wednesday, November 07,2007 5:28 PM
To: James Coan
Subject: RE: Stone Stable Dedication
I never thought, but I agree. If I can, I will attend and take note of the attendees.
ms
******
From: James Coan
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 8:02 AM
To: Michele Smith
Subject: RE: Stone Stable Dedication
Thanks Michele! If I can, I will stop in my office and observe the event across the street.
JC
******
From: Michele Smith
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 200710:07 AM
To: James Coon
Subject: RE: stone Stable Dedication
Jim,
You are on the right track. See below the new posting on free WW today.
Ms
[City Clerk’s email includes copy of my posting announcing the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony.]
The files:
I have made the PDF files confirming this exchange available here — 2008-1 (7).
My comments:
1. Lurking from a Window of the Municipal Building? Did Coan go and watch from above? I don’t know, but he obviously considered it. Think about that, Whitewater — your proud ceremony was just a political hunting ground for him. Disgraceful.
2. Public Employee Assistance, Again. In this exchange, a public employee thinks about going to take note of the attendees, to aid Coan’s efforts. Maybe, for future events, Coan will be able to persuade the city to implant a chip in everyone’s arm, so that the city clerk will not have to tax her memory keeping track of the attendees.
3. Panning the Crowd. I have no idea if Coan did, in fact, ask Alan [Luckett] to pan the crowd so that Coan could catalog celebrants in the search for John Adams. I have no reason — at all — to think that he would do something like this, for political reasons. If he or others pan the crowd for artistic reasons, fine with me.
Next Up on Tuesday, March 4th at 2PM CST: Part 9, “Wikipedia? Yes, Wikipedia.”