Lynn Binnie

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the UW-W College of Arts & Communication, Dept. of Theatre/Dance.

UW-Whitewater presents the gripping drama “Wreckage” starting this Friday

The College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater announces the first show of the 2023/2024 Theatre/Dance season with “Wreckage” by Sally Stubbs. Directed by Bruce Cohen, this production will run in Hicklin Studio Theatre on select days from Oct. 6-14. Tickets are on sale for the performances and can be purchased in person at Ticket Services, online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling (262) 472-2222. [Adults are $17, age 65+ are $15, and under age 18 are $12. There is a $2 surcharge for tickets purchased at the door.] The Hicklin Studio Theatre and UW-Whitewater Ticket Services are located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts at 950 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190. 

Step into the shadowy underbelly of Vancouver with “Wreckage” by Sally Stubbs, directed by Bruce Cohen. Twenty-five years after Rose disappears from a horrible train wreck, her red suitcase mysteriously ends up in the hands of her daughter, Violet. With the aid of her mother’s diary, Violet embarks on a search for the truth that reveals sordid and bizarre secrets from the past. With a host of dark, yet humorous characters including gangster chefs and a Puccini-singing ghost, “Wreckage” will have you eagerly awaiting each new revelation.

This play contains themes and theatricalized depictions that some may find troubling. It is intended for adult audiences and mature sensibilities. This play is not appropriate for children.

On choosing this production, Cohen states “Sally Stubbs has written a terrifically stylish play that really nails the Film Noir aesthetic its story calls for. The script is playfully dark with transgressive thrills and a cheeky sense of humor.”

The cast for the UW-Whitewater production of “Wreckage”  includes Abby Frey as Rose, Anna Olson as Violet, Antonio Parra as Big Man, and Katie Aldred as Momma. 

Show times:

• Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 7 at 2 p.m.
• Oct. 8 at 2 p.m.
• Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 14 at 2 p.m.

You don’t want to miss this thrilling performance of “Wreckage” in Hicklin Studio Theatre Oct. 6-14. Get your tickets today in person, online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling (262) 472-2222. There is a $2 surcharge for tickets purchased at the door at the time of the event. The Hicklin Studio Theatre and UW-Whitewater Ticket Services are located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts at 950 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190. 

Editor’s note: The following press release was received on Tuesday evening, October 3 from City Manager John Weidl.

“I’m writing to share with the community that I have been selected as a finalist for the Village Administrator position in Salem Lakes, WI.

During my tenure in Whitewater, we’ve celebrated new developments like Starbucks and A-1 Packaging, introduced ALDI – the first new grocer since 2016, created and funded an affordable housing policy, reduced Fire and EMS response times, and revitalized our local government PEG channel, among other achievements. Staff speak clearly and openly of their shared commitment to productive, engaged and transparent government. Staff speak openly of their support for me as City Manager, and I am humbled by their words and grateful for their trust.

This opportunity is not due to a reduced commitment to the City of Whitewater, organizational goals, or its taxpayers. Whitewater is on the cusp of a bright new future, provided process and productivity, not politics, drive decision-making. This opportunity arises from my desire for stability for my new daughter and, for myself, a supervisory environment that emphasizes respect and professionalism.

Most importantly, should a transition occur, I want to assure my full support and participation in the continuity of Whitewater’s city operations.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and time.

Sincerely,
John S. Weidl
City Manager, City of Whitewater”

Editor’s note: According to the Salem Lakes website, “We officially became the Village of Salem Lakes on February 14, 2017.  Salem Lakes is a rural community with a population of approximately 14,625. Our Village consists of five small “hamlets” which include Camp Lake, Salem, Silver Lake, Trevor and Wilmot.” According to a report, previous village administrator Michael Murdock had been placed on paid administrative leave for approximately six weeks during an investigation and left employment in August, 2023 under a separation agreement. The website indicates that the interim village administrator is Dave Bretl, who retired in 2020 as administrator and corporation counsel of Walworth County. The village does not appear to have publicly announced the finalists for the administrator position.

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Common Council Authorizes Outside Counsel Regarding “Disciplinary and Personnel Matters”

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

During the Common Council meeting on October 3, Council President James Allen made a motion to authorize engaging an outside attorney to advise the Council on disciplinary and personnel matters. The motion, as amended to provide for up to $10,000 in expenses, was passed on a 4-3 vote, with Allen, Gerber, Hicks, and Stone voting in favor. This action would pertain specifically to the City Manager, since that position is the only one that reports to the Council. A similar motion had failed to pass in a late summer meeting.

Speaking against the motion, Brienne Brown indicated that she had been advised by officials in other communities that a new manager should be given at least two years to adapt to their position. Not allowing this timeframe, she was told, would make for difficulty in attracting a new manager. Lisa Dawsey Smith stated that she shared those concerns. Citizen Brian Schanen also spoke against the motion, indicating that he had noted recent progress in the city and felt that hiring a third attorney to advise the city would be a waste of resources. In addition to the City Attorney, a labor attorney is also on contract with the city, and Human Resources Manager Sara Marquardt indicated that the Council had not inquired as to whether this attorney might advise the Council.

In making the motion, James Allen stated that the Council had not had opportunity to meet in closed session to evaluate the City Manager. John Weidl stated that the Council had actually had two such sessions in the past sixty days.

Weidl served as interim city manager beginning in August, 2022 upon the resignation of previous manager Cameron Clapper. He was hired as city manager effective November 7, 2022.

Contacted after the adjournment of the Common Council meeting, Allen indicated that he had not yet received notification of Weidl’s announcement regarding the Village of Salem Lakes administrator search. (See separate Banner article.)

According to the Rock County Public Works website, the closure for paving and culvert replacement on County Highway N, which extends from the western end of Walworth Street, is now expected to continue through October 13. Originally this project was planned to be completed by August 31, with the completion date subsequently being delayed to September 29.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Transportation website projects that the Highway 12 reconstruction between Whitewater and Fort Atkinson is anticipated to be completed on November 3. Originally it was indicated that work might be continuing until sometime in December.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Esmoth from Pixabay.

Editor’s note: This announcement and photo were provided by Sarah Hoots.

This summer, Abbie Rhodes, Erin Vosburgh, and Ruby Hoots from Whitewater Girl Scout Troop 7639 earned their Bronze Award for their volunteering at Mulberry Glen.

The Bronze award, one of the highest awards in Girl Scouting, represents over 20 hours of community service towards a chosen project. Abbie, Erin, and Ruby chose to dedicate their time on multiple occasions over the summer, serving meals, visiting with, and planning activities for the residents of Mulberry Glen. They also hope to continue as pen pals with a few special friends they made.

Editor’s note: The below press release was received from the UW-W College of Business and Economics.

A new collaboration between the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs Division of Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will bolster cybersecurity in the state.

A memorandum of understanding signed on Sept. 15 by WEM Administrator Greg Engle and UW-Whitewater Chief Research Administration Officer Carl Fox allows the UW-Whitewater and WEM to work together to strengthen the state’s Cyber Response Team (CRT) Training Program.

“It is vital to build partnerships and share best practices when it comes to the cyber domain,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp, Wisconsin’s adjutant general and the governor’s chief cybersecurity advisor. “The state’s Cyber Response Team plays an integral role in assisting local communities to respond and recover from attacks on information systems and communications networks.”

The CRT, which is administered by WEM, is a voluntary group of general members and cyber incident responders. The agreement seeks to close the gaps between general members and incident responders.

“This new partnership is a step towards resiliency against growing cyber threats in our state,” said Engle. “Working together will not only invest in cybersecurity education, but it will also encourage the continued growth of the Cyber Response Team.”

The CRT and WEM will also be supporting the university’s cybersecurity program and cyber research projects. The projects look at current and future states of preparedness throughout Wisconsin. There will also be joint outreach efforts to inform and educate both the public and private sectors about cybersecurity threats and mitigation strategies.

“Cybercrime is a formidable threat to today’s businesses. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, organizations must create more impermeable systems and be ready to defend their business from cyberattacks,” said Dr. Balaji Sankaranarayanan, director of the Cybersecurity Center for Business at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics. “Through this collaboration with WEM, we aim not only to educate today’s professionals in cybersecurity, but to arm tomorrow’s IT leaders to thrive in the face of adversity.”

Specific collaborative efforts between UW-Whitewater and WEM include:

·         The university providing faculty and/or graduate students, facility space, and existing equipment for the CRT Quarterly Training Program.

·         The CRT and WEM employees will assist the University with identifying and promoting public-sector placement opportunities in support of UW-Whitewater’s Cybersecurity Program. Public-sector placements will be co-facilitated by the WEM Cybersecurity Preparedness Coordinator and the University.

·         Under the supervision of university faculty, the WEM Cybersecurity Preparedness Coordinator will assist in supporting UW-Whitewater’s cybersecurity program institutional review board-approved academic research efforts through program-aligned activities. Those will include data collection, analysis, writing, and other traditional peer-reviewed activities consistent with research or experimental design.

Learn more about the Wisconsin CRT, including information on how to apply for membership, at https://wem.wi.gov/response-teams/#crt.

The Cybersecurity Center for Business (CCB)’s mission is to offer leading-edge and innovative cybersecurity education, research, outreach services and opportunities to organizations and learners in Wisconsin. More information about the UW-Whitewater’s CCB and cybersecurity programs is available at https://www.uww.edu/cobe/ccb.