Lynn Binnie

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

According to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, Anthony P. Hansen, a former employee of the Whitewater Unified School District who was charged with five felony counts of sex assault of student by school staff on August 15, 2022, has pled guilty to those crimes. As was reported in a previous Banner article, Hansen was arrested on July 22 by the Whitewater Police Department. His employment in the instructional technology department of the Whitewater Unified School District was terminated immediately by action of the school board on August 8.

Hansen, 35, of 137 N. Cherry Street, had been scheduled to face a jury trial beginning on June 5, 2023. Instead he appeared by video, in custody, before Judge Kristine E. Drettwan for a plea hearing on May 26. The mother of the victim, listening by phone, did not wish to make a statement. Hansen pled guilty to the five felony H counts of sex assault. Drettwan found that the defendant had made the plea freely, knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently, and consequently accepted the plea and judged Hansen guilty. As a result the jury trial was canceled. Two counts of child enticement – sexual contact felony D, more serious charges, were dismissed as agreed to by the prosecutor. Hansen declined to make a statement. The judge warned him that he is prohibited from possessing a firearm and is ineligible to vote until his civil rights are restored.

An order was made for Hansen’s appearance at the Department of Corrections for a Pre-Sentence Investigation Report. A sentencing hearing was scheduled for August 15, 2023. The penalty for a single Class H felony is a fine not to exceed $10,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 6 years, or both.

Editor’s note: A revision was made on 6/5/23 at 2:15 p.m. to correct the statutory penalties for a Class H felony.

 

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

The city of Whitewater and surrounding townships were served by the independent not-for-profit Whitewater Fire Department, Inc. (WFD) from 1871 until July 30, 2022, at which time the city assumed responsibility for fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). One of the primary reasons for the change was that WFD was experiencing major staffing challenges, resulting in response times that were often suboptimal. Voters in November, 2022 approved an increase of $1.1 million in property taxes to support the move from a primarily paid-on-call model to primarily paid-on-premises staffing. According to statistics recently released by the city Fire/EMS department, those decisions are paying off in the form of significantly reduced response times.

Dramatic reduction in response times

In the months of March through May of this year, between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., firefighter and EMS personnel were “out the door” in an average time of 1 minute and 35 seconds. The department reports, “Further, for 90% of our call volume during that period (240 of 267 calls), your Fire/EMS team was out the door in under three minutes.” By comparison, in 2021-2022, the “first turnout” was over five minutes, 40% of the time.

Improved response times a result of addition of full-time firefighter/EMTs

The department now employs 12 full-time firefighter/EMTs of different levels and certifications. Of those 12, seven were retained from WFD and hired as full-time employees. The other five were hired from the outside. Effective beginning in early April, three shifts are fully staffed with full-time employees. These three shifts include four firefighter/EMTs that staff an ambulance as well as either another ambulance or a piece of fire apparatus depending on the call.

EMS is seeking to upgrade to the paramedic level

EMS Chief Jason Dean indicates obtaining licensure upgrade to the paramedic level for the department is his main priority. The EMS personnel currently function as either EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) or AEMT’s (Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians.) Five of the responders are actually licensed as paramedics, but they can only function at that level if they are employed by a service that is licensed at that level, which Whitewater’s is not. Paramedics receive extensive training and are able to provide Advanced Life Support to patients. Per Dean, “The process [of obtaining department paramedic licensure] is inherently time consuming as research and data has to be collected.  That data collection is nearly complete which will be followed by the drafting of a packet that outlines how we as a department will operate and provide Paramedic level Advanced Life Support service to our community.  That packet will be submitted to city leadership and the Common Council.  Once the draft upgrade packet is approved, it will be submitted to the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services where it will be evaluated and hopefully approved.  Once approved, Whitewater Fire & EMS Department will procure all needed for paramedic level service and a date will be set for transition to that level of service.” 

First full-time fire chief in department history and other staff changes

Kelly Freeman is the first full-time fire chief in the department’s history, having assumed the role effective April 1. WFD’s part-time chief was elected by the members. Freeman was appointed to a part-time chief position when the city assumed responsibility for the department on July 30, 2022. Kelly’s employment in the city Streets, Parks & Forestry Department began in 2008 and he was promoted to superintendent in 2018. He joined the Fire Department in 2006, rising from lieutenant to captain and assistant chief.

Jason B. Dean, AEMT, was promoted in March to the part-time position of EMS chief. Dean joined the department in 2017 and has served as EMS lieutenant, captain and, most recently, interim chief. He retired as a Master Sergeant from the U.S. Marine Corps after twenty years of service, including multiple tours of duty in Iraq. His final duty station included serving as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Pentagon. Jason has been involved in EMS as an EMT since 2000 and has served on multiple departments nationwide throughout his military career. He volunteered at local fire departments at each duty station he was assigned to by the Marine Corps.

Ryan Dion was recently hired as part-time assistant fire chief. Dion joined the department in 2007 after completing active duty time in the U.S. Army with a deployment to Iraq. He graduated in 2009 from Blackhawk Technical College with an Associate degree in fire science. Ryan served as an EMT, fire inspector, lieutenant and captain with WFD before being promoted to assistant chief after the merger with the city. His main tasks as it relates to this position is assisting the chief with records management, overseeing the fire prevention program, and administering the fire training program. Dion works for the City of Waukesha Fire Department full-time, and has served there for over twelve years.

Joe Uselding is continuing in the role of 2nd assistant fire chief in a paid-on-call capacity.

Fort HealthCare has earned the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Workplaces Award for the ninth year in a row. Top Workplaces recognition is awarded solely on the anonymous feedback of employees provided in a research-backed survey that measures organizational health and employee engagement. The survey measures 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks and is designed based on data captured from over 27 million employees at more than 70,000 organizations across the past 16 years.

Fort HealthCare celebrates its 13th award since the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel began recognizing Top Workplaces in 2010, based entirely on employee feedback captured by the Energage Workplace Survey.

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of.”

Top Workplaces Awards identify organizations dedicated to people-first culture excellence. Fort HealthCare employees are committed to our strong culture and RESPECT Values: Responsiveness, Excellence, Sensitivity, Professionalism, Empowerment, Cultural Diversity, and Teamwork.

“Fort HealthCare is grateful to our employees for sharing their voices and for their dedication to providing people-first care to the communities we serve,” said Michael Anderson, MD, President and CEO of Fort HealthCare. “We are honored to be recognized as a workplace committed to employee engagement and to making a difference in the lives of our patients, providers, and staff.”

On Friday, May 19th, Fort HealthCare Senior Vice President, Finance & Strategic Development, James Nelson, accepted the award at the Brookfield Conference Center. This year, Fort HealthCare has also received the Top Workplaces USA 2023 Award and the 2023 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence award for Purpose & Values.

About Energage

Making the world a better place to work together.TM

Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 16 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

ROBERTA’S ART GALLERY PRESENTS “WORLD OF WARHOL” FEATURING ORIGINAL ANDY WARHOL SCREEN-PRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE 1960S TO 1980S 

Roberta’s Art Gallery is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated “World of Warhol” exhibit, an immersive journey into the captivating world of one of the 20th century’s most influential figures, Andy Warhol (1928-1987). This exhibit features an exclusive collection of original artworks that were gifted from the Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts to UW-Whitewater Crossman Gallery’s permanent art collection. “World of Warhol” promises to transport visitors into the mesmerizing universe of the iconic pop artist, and showcases a diverse range of Warhol’s works, including his screen-prints, photographs, and Polaroids from the 1960s to 1980s.  

“World of Warhol” opens its doors on May 31 and will be on display until June 27. Viewers will have the unique opportunity to appreciate the intricacies of Warhol’s screen-printing technique, his masterful use of color, and his ability to infuse personalities with a sense of intrigue.  

Deborah Wilk, Ph.D., an associate professor of art history from UW-Whitewater says, “Amidst the aftermath of World War II, Warhol rejected the painterly and emotional art style of abstract expressionism, which emphasized painting and emotions, and instead used commercial screen-printing techniques to make art about celebrities, popular culture, American history, and mythology. Warhol also used his photographs as preliminary sketches for prints and paintings.” She says, “Instagram-like, Warhol carried the camera with him everywhere to document himself, friends, lovers, the famous, and the less well known.” 

“World of Warhol” features an extensive photograph collection of over 100 Polaroids and photographs taken by Andy Warhol from the 1970’s and 1980’s. Ashley Dimmig, the UW-Whitewater Crossman Gallery director says, “As the new director, I hope to offer more generations of students some opportunities to work closely with the Andy Warhol art collection, which ultimately belongs to them.” 

Roberta’s Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the James R. Connor University Center at UW-Whitewater. The gallery collaborates with campus departments, student organizations, and community artists in coordinating and sponsoring exhibits. During the summer, the gallery is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed on Saturday and Sunday.  

At Roberta’s Art Gallery, we pride ourselves in providing free and open exhibits to the public, and attending certain events can earn students class credit. If you are interested in being featured in the gallery, please contact us for a proposal request. Reach us at ucart@uww.edu or (262) 472-3193 or visit our website for any questions or inquiries. 

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from Roberta’s Art Gallery. Visitors who need parking on campus may wish to review this information.

The public is invited to a free class about learning how to make your own laundry soap, held at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library’s Community Room at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater on Thursday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m.  

Participants will leave with a large sample of the laundry soap to try out, directions, and resources. Save money! Free and open to the public. No registration required. Contact Sarah French with questions at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-458-2782.

The Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will offer Welcome to Medicare workshops on Thursdays, June 8, August 17, October 19, and December 7, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. This popular educational session will provide information about Medicare for individuals turning 65 years of age, those over 65 and planning to retire, or individuals with disabilities that have received Social Security Disability benefits for 24 months or have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).

“It is vitally important that individuals eligible to receive Medicare are aware of the different parts of Medicare, including Part A and Part B, as well as the prescription drug coverage,” says Elder Benefit Specialist Julie Juranek. “Being knowledgeable about premiums and penalties for not having creditable prescription drug coverage will help people make sound choices when exploring available plans.”

The Welcome to Medicare workshops will be held at the Walworth County Health and Human Services building, 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn. RSVPs are highly recommended by calling (262) 741-3366.

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About the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and providing options available to meet the needs of your personal situation.

Editor’s note: The following announcement is posted on www.SteveMeisner.com.

WELL-KNOWN AND LOVED MUSICIAN STEVE MEISNER PASSES AWAY AT 62
June 1, 2023
The news we are forced to share with all of you will be as shocking and difficult for everyone to read as it is to write. It is with great shock and sadness that we must report that the very well-known and well-loved, multi-award-winning musician, Steve Meisner, has passed away following a very brief illness. Steve was 62 years old.

Even though Steve last performed on stage on May 21st, he learned the following week he was being diagnosed with stage IV cancer in multiple locations. Steve, along with his family, were beyond shocked. Before any meaningful treatment could be considered, Steve passed away peacefully in Meriter Hospital, Madison Wisconsin, the afternoon of June 1^st.  Barb, his loving wife of 38 years, was by his side along with his daughters Whitney and Lindsey, and son Austin.

Funeral and other arrangements have not yet been made but will be provided as soon as they become available. Steve was known and loved by so many and we know you will all be in disbelief. For now, the family asks for privacy as they work though this shocking and sudden loss.

One thing everyone feels is certain, is Steve would want the show to go on. The Meisner Band has many performances scheduled throughout the rest of 2023. Core Meisner Band members have committed to working with the many events and venues to fulfill these engagements as requested. While there can be no replacement for someone as talented as Steve, guest artists have already been assembled to fulfill the final performances of Steve’s Band. We are confident this is exactly what Steve would want as he has committed to entertaining audiences as his life’s work since he was a teenager.

As additional information becomes available, it will be provided on Steve’s website, www.SteveMeisner.com, on social media, and in Steve’s newsletter. An epic celebration of Steve’s life, a party he would be proud of, will be held in the near future.

Please keep Steve’s family in your thoughts and prayers as they grieve this loss along with all of you.

And, of course, Thank You Music Lovers!   

Click here for the website.