Alderman faces ethics inquiry over newsletter addressed to residents' pets

Last week the Oshkosh Northwestern unveiled a new Datamine feature, whereby people can search by address or pet’s name to see if someone’s dog or cat is licensed. I understand the need for public information but, like others, I think some information goes too far, especially when it can be used for less than honorable means – as most of it probably can these days, when it gets right down to it. Winnebago County Board supervisor Jef Hall gave some good examples of what could happen in this piece. Now take a look at this story in today’s Chicago Tribune and see how a local alderman there used dog and cat information from city records for his own political newsletter.