By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Revision 6/28/22: The last phrase of the second paragraph was revised to make clearer that the P&FC is required to consider all options.
The agenda for a special Police & Fire Commission (P&FC) meeting on Thursday includes a closed session “to consider appointment of a new police chief,” followed by an open session for “discussion concerning, and possible appointment of, new police chief, contingent on an action by the City Council establishing the chief of police salary.”
Since a vacancy effective June 30 in the police chief position was only announced by the Common Council approval of a resignation/retirement agreement between the city and Aaron Raap on June 21, the rationale for the closed session is “….considering employment, promotion…or performance data of any public employee over which governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility,” and the P&FC has not previously discussed appointment of a successor, it seems evident that the commission will be considering the possibility of making an internal appointment versus beginning a search process to include external candidates.
Deputy Chief Dan Meyer has served as acting police chief since Aaron Raap was placed on paid administrative leave on or about December 3, 2021.
Source: Spectrum News1 [Note: disregard the arrow; it is nonfunctional. See the link below.]
In a video report broadcast on Spectrum News on June 22, a brief overview was provided of the city’s efforts to restore Trippe and Cravath lakes. The report includes an interview with a project ecologist with Field and Stream Restoration, as well as one with Eric Boettcher, city parks and recreation director.
Spectrum News1 is a news channel provided to its cable subscribers on Channel 1. It’s indicated that Spectrum provides access to up to five videos to nonsubscribers, although the script of the video is also provided at the link.
Our thanks to Mark Dorn for providing the video link.
City of Whitewater Economic Development Staff Update
Whitewater, Wis. June 8– The city of Whitewater welcomes our new interim Economic Development Director, Nathan Thiel, who will be taking over the Economic Development Department following the departure of Cathy Anderson. He will be working in the Municipal Building on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Nathan is originally from Appleton, Wisconsin and received his Master of Public Administration degree from Syracuse University in 2007. He will be assisting with economic development work until a permanent replacement is found.
[left] Dad and Mom [right] Dad and chicks – Photos courtesy of Steve Watson
Steve Watson writes, “My morning meandering by Trippe and Cravath, I came upon a Killdeer family. Mom, Dad and two precocious chicks.”
Our thanks to Steve Watson for another beautiful contribution to the Banner.
[From The Cornell Lab] A shorebird you can see without going to the beach, Killdeer are graceful plovers common to lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, and parking lots. These tawny birds run across the ground in spurts, stopping with a jolt every so often to check their progress, or to see if they’ve startled up any insect prey. Their voice, a far-carrying, excited kill-deer, is a common sound even after dark, often given in flight as the bird circles overhead on slender wings.
Killdeer get their name from the shrill, wailing kill-deer call they give so often. Eighteenth-century naturalists also noticed how noisy Killdeer are, giving them names such as the Chattering Plover and the Noisy Plover.
Gravel rooftops attract Killdeer for nesting, but can be dangerous places to raise a brood. Chicks may be unable to leave a roof because of high parapets and screened drain openings. Adults eventually lure chicks off the roof, which can be dangerous – although one set of chicks survived a leap from a seven-story building.
Killdeer are surprisingly unobtrusive even on green lawns, despite their warm tawny coloration. Look carefully over lawns, short-mown fields, and even parking lots, and listen for the far-carrying kill-deer. (When you hear this call, the bird may be in flight. Look for it circling you, flying stiffly on long, pointed wings. It may resemble an American Kestrel, at least until it lands on the ground and begins walking.) Though they’re often found on dry land, you should also look for them on the edges of freshwater ponds and muddy lagoons.
Editor’s note: The following announcement was submitted by Steven Smith.
Attention Whitewater area military veterans!
Now hear this! Post 173 Whitewater American Legion and VFW Post 5470 are sponsoring a float, (actually a boat generously provided by J&T Marina) for any military veteran to ride on during the annual 4th of July parade. This is a wonderful opportunity for military veterans to be recognized by the community for their military service. Veterans interested in participating in the parade by riding on the float, maybe tossing candy to the kids and acknowledging the gratitude of the community for their service to the Nation should gather at the parade start point near the intersection of Highland and Prince Streets before the parade begins at 10:00. That is all.
“Moonfall” Tuesday, June 28, 1 p.m. (Action/Adventure/Science Fiction) Rated PG-13; 2 hours, 10 minutes (2022) Time for some summertime science fiction fun! Once again, It’s the End of the World, as we know it. Our world stands on the brink of annihilation when a mysterious force sends the moon hurtling from its orbit, on a collision course with Earth. A former NASA Astronaut (Halle Berry) has a solution—but, gee, there are skeptics! Directed by Roland Emmerich (“Independence Day,” “Midway”).
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Walworth County.
Monday, 6/27/22 – USH 12 EASTBOUND FULL CLOSURE
USH 12 EB (towards Lake Geneva) will be closed for pavement repairs 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The closure will be from the CTH-NN interchange (Elkhorn) to STH 120 interchange (Lake Geneva). As always, all operations are weather dependent, and subject to change. For more information regarding traffic impacts, transportation news and improvement project updates in Wisconsin’s Southeast region: · Follow us on Twitter: @WisDOTsoutheast · Visit the region’s 511 website: https://projects.511wi.gov/region/southeast/
Tuesday, June 28 – USH 12 WESTBOUND FULL CLOSURE
USH 12 WB (towards Elkhorn) will be closed for pavement repairs 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The closure will be from the STH 120 Interchange (Lake Geneva) to the CTH NN interchange (Elkhorn). As always, all operations are weather dependent, and subject to change. For more information regarding traffic impacts, transportation news and improvement project updates in Wisconsin’s Southeast region: · Follow us on Twitter: @WisDOTsoutheast · Visit the region’s 511 website: https://projects.511wi.gov/region/southeast/
The family of Jim Toennies cordially invites you to attend a Celebration of life on July 9th from 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at: The 841 Brewhouse 841 East Milwaukee St. Whitewater WI.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.
Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth announced the appointment of Brenda Jones as the next vice chancellor for administrative affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. In the position, Jones will have oversight over financial planning and business operations, human resources, risk management, capital construction and renovation, as well as safety and police services.
[The other candidates were Jason Demerath, Director of Business Services for the School District of Fort Atkinson; Mark Freitag, City Manager of the City of Janesville; and Brant Wright, SVP for Administration and Finance and Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management at Piedmont University.]
“I am so pleased that Brenda Jones will be joining UW-Whitewater, effective August 22,” Chenoweth said. “During the interview process, it was evident that she believes strongly in our mission to provide a high-quality university experience that is accessible to all students. She has a track record of strong fiscal management and planning, as well as demonstrated experience implementing innovative strategies to solve problems and adapt to changing circumstances. Her wide-ranging experience in higher education, government, and public and private organizations will serve UW-Whitewater well.”
Since 2009, Jones has served as vice president for financial affairs for the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Previously, she held controller and accounting roles, from educational institutions, to accounting firms, to city government.
“Over the years, I have had the opportunity to visit many of the UW campuses and Whitewater has, by far, always been my favorite,” Jones said. “The passion for this campus that I saw in everyone I met only served to confirm what a special place this really is. I would like to thank you all for giving me this amazing opportunity and am very excited to be joining the Warhawk family.”
A certified public accountant, Jones holds CPA professional memberships at the state and national level. She received her master’s degree in business administration from UW-Milwaukee and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from UW-Oshkosh.
An award-winning professional, Jones has been honored by the Milwaukee Business Journal as CFO of the Year – Higher Education, and was named among the Notable Women in Higher Education by BizTimes Media.
Jeff Arnold will continue to serve in the vice chancellor role until Brenda Jones joins UW-Whitewater. Chenoweth thanked him for his service.
“We’re sincerely appreciative that Jeff Arnold returned to UW-Whitewater to serve in an interim capacity. His steady and collegial leadership style — combined with his knowledge and expertise in administrative affairs and the UW System as a whole — helped move the entire university forward. I wish him well as he resumes his retirement.”
“I would also like to acknowledge the search and screen committee, under the leadership of Dr. Paul Ambrose, and thank the members for their strong work to recruit and review candidates for this position.”
Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the Whitewater Public Library.
Baseball is the theme of the Memory Café on July 11th, at 10:30 in the morning at the Whitewater Public Library. Memory Cafés are informal social gatherings for those who are living with Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss, or mild cognitive impairment, and their care partner. It’s a time to relax, have fun, form new friendships, and stay connected with others.
