Part 7, “Chief Coan’s Researcher.”
(For earlier parts of this series, please click this link: Witch-Hunting a Blogger in Whitewater, Wisconsin.)
From the public records, in September 2007 and November 2007 — I’m not sure if Whitewater Police Detective Tina Winger ever found the intelligence she promised to find about a lawful political commentator, but Coan might have moved on to other police resources, in any event. Detective Ryan Weston, now on the force for over eight years, was willing to assist Coan’s effort.
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: Monday, September 17th, 2007 1:12 PM
To: Ryan Weston
Subject: Free Whitewater Website
Ryan,
Did you tell me that if someone email “John Adams” and that if he returns the message that you might have a chance to track him down? If so, I believe that I might have such an opportunity.
Chief Coan
******
From: Ryan Weston
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 7:20 AM
To: Michele Smith
Subject: Free Whitewater Email Info
Michele:
The Chief told me that you received a direct email from “John Adams”.
If you could do the following for me:
On you “lnbox” screen, right click on the email, choose “Options”. Next, highlight the information inside of the box that says “Internet header”. Right click and “copy”.
Paste the info on a New [sic] email and send it to me.
Thanks!
-Ryan
******
From: Michele Smith
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 8:00 AM
To: Ryan Weston
Cc: James Coan
Subject: RE: Free Whitewater Email lnfo
Here it is, Ryan.
Microsoft Mail lnternet Headers Version 2.0.
Received: from nz-out-Q506.google.com ([address] by mail.ci.whltewater.wi.us with Microsoft SMTPSVC (6.0.3790.3959);
Fri. 2 Nov 200717:38:21 -0500
Received: by nz-out-0506.google.com with SMTP id n1so732737nzf
for
Michele
The files:
I have made the PDF files confirming this exchange available here — 2008-1 (6).
My comments:
1. Public Resources, Public Time, Public Employees. This is a common theme throughout the files — these public employees spend their time this way.
2. The City Clerk’s Role. This is no conduct for someone that any citizen should be able trust, impartially. It’s not even close. If you have a problem, then how confident can you be of the Clerk’s role as an impartial representative of our city?
3. Detective Weston. Eight years on the force, with any number of crimes needing investigation, and Detective Weston asks the City Clerk for an email to track, involving lawful political speech. Is this why Weston took an oath? Weston might as well leave his uniform in the closet; it was not made for this sort of conduct.
4. Coan’s Signature Line. Coan contacts Weston for assistance, but it’s a cold request: Coan signs his name — ready? — “Chief Coan.” Who else does he imagine Weston will think he is? It’s not Jim, or James, but “Chief Coan.” Weston commits what I am convinced is the wrong conduct, and for someone who’s seemingly distant, and oddly formal, too.
5. The City Staff. Much is made about being “on staff,” but who’s overseeing the conduct of these city employees as they search for identities, etc? I have no idea.
Next Up on Tuesday, March 4th at NOON CST: Part 8, “Watching People at a Celebration.”