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Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Walworth County Health and Human Services.

Walworth County Health and Human Services, in collaboration with Lake Geneva Public Library, will host free QPR suicide prevention training for anyone over the age of 16. The free training will take place on Wednesday, March 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Lake Geneva Public Library.

QPR—or Question, Persuade, Refer— teaches bystanders how to provide initial support to someone in need and gives them information on where they can find additional support. Just as people trained in CPR save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. QPR is a nationally recognized, evidence-based mental health intervention. Walworth County Health and Human Services trained more than 300 community members in QPR in 2022. 

 Reactions from past QPR training participants have been positive: “Becoming QPR trained made me feel confident in my ability to recognize when someone may need help and how I can assist them in a time of need. I would highly encourage as many people as possible to get trained in QPR. You never know when you will use these life-saving skills.”

 The Lake Geneva Public Library is located at 918 W. Main St. Lake Geneva. Space is limited; registration is not required but strongly encouraged. You may register by visiting https://bit.ly/3xb1EVK, emailing walcoph@co.walworth.wi.us, or calling (262)741-3200. If you are interested in bringing QPR to your organization, business, community group etc: please complete this inquiry form: https://bit.ly/3jHUkO4

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for 24/7 crisis support, or chat at 988Lifeline.org to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Public Library.

Get energized for spring with a Journaling Workshop led by local writer Katy Daixon Wimer. Enjoy reflective journaling prompts and inspiring conversation. Feel free to bring your own journal, or a small journal will be provided.   

The event will be held at the Irvin L Young Memorial Library’s Community Room located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater on Tuesday, March 21 at 6:00-7:30 p.m. 

This program is for adults and there is no cost to attend. Teens are welcome with a participating adult. Registration is requested. Visit whitewaterlibrary.org and click on “Events – Registration Forms” to register in advance. You may also email sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-458-2782 to register, or with any questions.  

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

Races on the April 4 general election ballot include Justice of the Supreme Court and Whitewater Unified School District School Board Member, City of Whitewater Common Council (three uncontested races), and City of Whitewater Municipal Judge. In Jefferson County there is also an uncontested race for Circuit Court Judge Branch 4. The towns also have races for Supervisor. You may view your ballot here by entering your home address.

On March 11 The League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area hosted a forum for the Whitewater Unified School District candidates. More than 50 people were in attendance. All six candidates: Thayer Coburn (incumbent), Joe Kromholz, Lisa Huempfner, Stephanie Hicks, Chuck Mills, and Christy Linse participated in this event. The video may be viewed here, thanks to Whitewater Community TV. The questions asked were pulled from those submitted by the audience. Some of these included, would you support a dual language program in schools, how would you work to make sure all students are accepted and supported, will you support a future referendum, and how do you plan to address low ACT scores and below proficient scores in math and reading? A total of six questions were asked during the 90-minute forum.  You may vote for up to three candidates.

The League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area is hosting a municipal judge forum on Sunday, March 19 at 1 p.m. in the Municipal Building Community Room, 312 W. Whitewater Street. When the video is available a link will be provided here.

The school board and municipal judge candidates all responded to an online questionnaire sponsored by the League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area. The responses, as well as those of the Supreme Court candidates, may be viewed here after entering your home address.

All six candidates for the school board responded to a questionnaire from the Whitewater Banner prior to the primary election. Their responses may be read here.

In addition to the races shown above, there are three referendum questions on the ballot:

State of Wisconsin Conditions of Release Before Conviction Referendum – Question 1

QUESTION 1: “Conditions of release before conviction. Shall section 8 (2) of article I of the constitution be amended to allow a court to impose on an accused person being released before conviction conditions that are designed to protect the community from serious harm?”

Yes
No

State of Wisconsin Cash Bail Before Conviction Referendum – Question 2

QUESTION 2: “Cash bail before conviction. Shall section 8 (2) of article I of the constitution be amended to allow a court to impose cash bail on a person accused of a violent crime based on the totality of the circumstances, including the accused’s previous convictions for a violent crime, the probability that the accused will fail to appear, the need to protect the community from serious harm and prevent witness intimidation, and potential affirmative defenses?”

Yes
No

State of Wisconsin Welfare Benefits Referendum – Question 3

QUESTION 3: “Shall able-bodied, childless adults be required to look for work in order to receive taxpayer-funded welfare benefits?”

Yes
No

OBTAINING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT

Any qualified elector who is unable or unwilling to appear at the polling place on Election Day may submit a request to vote an absentee ballot to their municipal clerk.  A qualified elector is any U.S. citizen who:

• will be 18 years of age or older on Election Day.
• has resided in the ward or municipality where they wish to vote for at least 28 consecutive days before the election.   

The elector must also be registered to vote to receive an absentee ballot.   Proof of identification must be provided before an absentee ballot may be issued*.  

Making application to receive an absentee ballot by mail

Contact your municipal clerk and request that an application for an absentee ballot be sent to you for the primary or election or both.   You may make written application to your municipal clerk for an absentee ballot in person, by mail, by fax, by email or at MyVote.wi.gov.  

Your written request must include:

1. your voting address within the municipality where you wish to vote
2. the address where the absentee ballot should be sent, if different from the address above 
3. your signature   
4. a copy of your photo identification*

The deadline for making application to receive an absentee ballot by mail is:

5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 30, 2023

*Voters who are indefinitely confined due to age, illness, infirmity, or disability may not be required to provide photo ID. If this applies to you, contact the municipal clerk regarding deadlines for requesting and submitting an absentee ballot.

**Special absentee voting application provisions apply to electors who are indefinitely confined, in the military, hospitalized, or serving as a sequestered juror.  If this applies to you, contact the municipal clerk regarding deadlines for requesting and submitting an absentee ballot.

Voting an absentee ballot in person

You may also request and vote an absentee ballot in the clerk’s office or other specified location during the days and hours specified for casting an absentee ballot in person. Absentee in-person voting begins as early as March 21.

CITY OF WHITEWATER
Michele R. Smith, Clerk
312 W. Whitewater St.
Whitewater, WI 53190
(Phone) 262 473-0102
Voting Hours:  M-F
8:00 – 4:30 p.m.

TOWN OF COLD SPRING
Lisa Griep, Clerk
W3497 Vannoy Rd.
Whitewater, WI I 53190
(262) 473-6228
Absentee Hours by Appt.

TOWN OF LAGRANGE
Crystal Hoffmann, Clerk
P.O. Box 359
Whitewater, WI 53190
(262) 495-8200
Absentee Hours by Appt.

TOWN OF LIMA
Pam Hookstead, Clerk
11053 Willow Drive
Whitewater, WI 53190
(262) 473-8515
Absentee Hours by Appt. 

TOWN OF RICHMOND
Brian Hayes, Clerk
W9046 County Road A
Delavan, WI 53115
(608) 883-2269 or 608-312-9674
Absentee Hours by Appt.

TOWN OF WHITEWATER
Jorja Boiley, Clerk
W8590 Willis Ray Road
Whitewater, WI 53190
(262) 473-4639
Early, in-person voting: Town of Whitewater – Tuesday, March 21  10:00 AM – 1:00 PM; Thursday, March 23 4:00 – 7:00 PM; Saturday March 25 9:00 – Noon
Public testing for voting machine: Saturday, March 25 at Noon

Please remember if you are voting absentee, ballots must be either mailed to the Town Hall or dropped off during normal Town Hall hours: M, T, Th 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM. Use of the drop box is prohibited.

new email: clerk.treas@townofwhitewaterwi.gov
new website: townofwhitewaterwi.gov“

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The first day to vote an absentee ballot in the clerk’s office is: Wednesday, March 21, 2023.  

The last day to vote an absentee ballot in the clerk’s office is: Friday, March 31, 2023. 

No in-person absentee voting may occur on the day before the election. The municipal clerk will deliver voted ballots returned on or before Election Day to the proper polling place before the polls close on April 4, 2023.  Any ballots received after the polls close will not be counted.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives.

Whitewater, WI – March 13, 2023 – The following information is being released by the Whitewater Police Department
to inform the public of the status of this ongoing investigation. The newborn found on March 4, 2023 is an unidentified
male. The deceased newborn was located in a plastic bag inside a cardboard box, wrapped in a light-colored shirt and
wearing no additional clothing. It is believed that the newborn was placed in the field less than 48 hours before he was
located. The Police Department is seeking any information related to the circumstances of the newborn’s death, and any
information that would help to identify the mother or father. The Police Department is urging community members with any
information to contact 262-473-0555 option #4, or contact our Detective Bureau directly at jbrock@whitewater-wi.gov
(Detective Justin Brock) and aheilberger@whitewater-wi.gov (Detective Anthony Heilberger). Anonymous tips may also
be shared using P3Tips.com.

La policía de Whitewater investiga el hallazgo de un recién nacido fallecido – ACTUALIZACIÓN
Whitewater, WI – 13 de marzo de 2023 – La siguiente información está siendo publicada por el Departamento de
Policía de Whitewater para informar al público sobre el estado de esta investigación en curso. El recién nacido
encontrado el 4 de marzo de 2023 es un varón no identificado. El recién nacido fallecido fue localizado en una bolsa de
plástico dentro de una caja de cartón, envuelto en una camisa de color claro y sin ropa adicional. Se cree que el recién
nacido fue colocado en el campo menos de 48 horas antes de ser hallado. El Departamento de Policía está buscando
cualquier información relacionada con las circunstancias de la muerte del recién nacido, así como cualquier información
que pueda ayudar a identificar a la madre o al padre. El Departamento de Policía invita a los miembros de la comunidad
que tengan alguna información a que se pongan en contacto con el 262-473-0555 opción no 4, o directamente con
nuestra Oficina de Detectives en jbrock@whitewater-wi.gov (Detective Justin Brock) y aheilberger@whitewater-wi.gov
(Detective Anthony Heilberger). Para compartir información en español por favor envie correo electrónico al oficial
Valadez a svaladez@whitewater-wi.gov. Los reportes anónimos también pueden compartirse a través de P3Tips.com.

City of Whitewater Plan and Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Public Hearing Regarding Consideration Of A Conditional Use Permit For A Proposed
Outdoor Café/Beer Garden At 156 W Whitewater Street, For Steve O’s LLC (Stephen Fairchild) and
Public Hearing For A Proposed Conditional Use Permit To Sell And Serve Beer And Liquor (For A Class “B” Liquor License) At 804 W. Walworth Avenue, Parcel #BIR 00014, For Mobin Ahmad.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
Community Room- First Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/516779973
You can also dial in using your phone.
+1 (408) 650-3123
Access Code:
516-779-973

UPDATE 3/13/23 @ 11:30 p.m. – Whitewater Unified School District School Board & District Leadership Team Retreat – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
Whitewater School Board members and other Whitewater Unified School District officials will be attending the School
Board and District Leadership Team Retreat at Whitewater High School on March 14, 2023. A quorum of the School Board
will be present; however, the Board will not be conducting any business during this event.

City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion And Possible Action Regarding Strand Task Order 23-04 For The Design Of Water Main To Serve Johns Disposal, Discussion And Possible Action Regarding Strand Amendment To Task Order 22-05 For Performing Construction Related Services For The Installation Of The Southwest Water Main Extension, Proposals for design work on Walworth Ave. and Innovation Drive.
Cravath Lakefront Conference Room – 2 Floor
312 W. Whitewater St

City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Meeting Agenda – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Combining Pedestrian And Bicycle Committee Into Park Board andEffigy Mounds And Walton Oaks Management Updates
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
Cravath Lakefront Room- 2nd Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82192422207?pwd=dThRYk94NEdhMUhhMnhiVHJoVmdXUT09
Meeting ID: 821 9242 2207
Passcode: 020643
Or dial
1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 821 9242 2207
Passcode: 020643

UPDATE 3/13/23 @ 11:30 p.m.
Whitewater Unified School District Policy Review Committee – Thursday @ 9:00 a.m.
Agenda – Click on meetings in upper right corner
Whitewater Unified School District Central Office
419 South Elizabeth Street

UPDATE 3/15/23 @ 6:45 p.m.
Whitewater School Board – Special Meeting – Thursday @ 5:15 p.m.
Whitewater Unified School District Central Office
419 South Elizabeth Street

5:15 p.m. via Zoom Online

• URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82807282338?pwd=a3dUcXVDN3BjNGcvcDdMQVpXQUppQT09

– Passcode: 248511

• Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
• Webinar ID: 828 0728 2338

– Passcode: 248511

Closed Session to discuss a specific Board Member’s conduct.

Reconvene into Open Session via Zoom Online

• URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83895834030?pwd=RnUyZmVsc3FhQUxFcXU5alJ6N2JSdz09

– Passcode: 228927

• Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
• Webinar ID: 838 9583 4030

– Passcode: 228927

UPDATE 3/13/23 @ 11:34 P.M.
City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
AGENDA includes CDA director recruitment, affordable housing policy, and closed session – possibly followed by open session: Deliberate Development Agreement with Becker & Bolton, LLC for further recommendation to Common Council for review and approval regarding proposed project to be located at 501 North Prospect Drive.
Location: Municipal Building – Community Room 1st Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
This will be an IN-PERSON and VIRTUAL MEETING
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us via computer, smart phone or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
Please click this URL to join.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81234148608?pwd=dUJmMm1lUzdrWTl0ZmVST0xIanNpZz09
Passcode: 775379
Or join by phone: 1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 812 3414 8608
Passcode: 775379

City of Whitewater Strategic Planning Session for Council and city management staff – Thursday @ 6:30 p.m.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
This Notice is given to inform the Public that the City of Whitewater has contracted with UW-Extension to host a
Strategic Planning Session / Retreat for the Councilmembers and the City of Whitewater Management Staff. The sessions will
be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on both March 8, 2023 and March 16, 2023, in the Cravath Lakefront Room, City of
Whitewater Municipal Building, 312 W. Whitewater Street. A quorum of the Common Council will be present. This notice
is given to inform the public that there will be no formal action taken at this meeting. The retreat process is open to the public.

(Update: 3/15/23 @ 5:22 p.m.) City of Whitewater Common Council Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center Subcommittee – Friday @ 10:00 a.m.
AMENDED NOTICE OF CITY OF WHITEWATER
SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
Agenda for meeting of the City of Whitewater Common Council Whitewater
Aquatic and Fitness Center Subcommittee
Friday, March 17th, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building – Cravath Lakefront Room
312 W. Whitewater Street
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL.

1. Waiver of the 72-hour notice, as required by City of Whitewater
   Transparency Ordinance.
2. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION. Adjournment to Closed Session, not to
   reconvene, per Wisconsin Statutes 19.85 (1) (e): “Deliberating or
   negotiating the purchase of public properties, the investing of public funds,
   or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or
   bargaining reasons require a closed session.
   a. Item to be discussed: Suggested strategy and recommendations for
   City of Whitewater negotiations concerning the agreements with the
   Whitewater Unified School District related to the Whitewater
   Aquatic and Fitness Center.
   NOTE: The body that is meeting is the subcommittee appointed by the City of Whitewater
   Common Council to represent the City of Whitewater Common Council in meetings with the
   Whitewater Unified School District. This meeting will not include individuals appointed by the
   Whitewater Unified School District to represent it in meetings with the City of Whitewater
   concerning the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center. There are separate meetings planned
   that will include both this subcommittee of the City of Whitewater Common Council and the
   individuals appointed by the Whitewater Unified School District to represent it.

According to City Clerk Michele Smith, property reassessment notices were due to be sent out by the city’s assessor, Accurate Assessor, during the week of March 6. It is indicated that the average residential increase is 10.5% and the average commercial increase is 8-10%. The assessments are based on property sales during 2022. Last year residential assessments generally increased by 7-11%, with commercial and large residential properties increasing by an average of 15%.

The fact that a property assessment is increased does not indicate that the property taxes will increase by a similar percentage. If a property’s assessment increases at a rate equal to the citywide average, then the total property tax bill should change at the same rate of change for the tax rates of all taxing entities (city, county, school district, technical school district).

Property owners with questions or concerns about their assessment are encouraged to attend Open Book with the assessor in person at the Cravath Lakefront Room, second floor in the Municipal Building, on March 20 between 2-4 p.m. Appointments may be made online.  Occasionally this conversation may result in a change being made in the assessment. Ultimately, however, if a property owner objects to the assessment they must file a “Form of Objection” with the Whitewater City Clerk’s office at least 48 hours before a city established “Board of Review” meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 25 at 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Images are from the WAFC Facebook page.

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

As was previously reported on the Banner, on Saturday, March 4, Whitewater Police and EMS responded to the Twin Oaks Mobile Home Park on Tratt Street for the report of a deceased newborn located in a field. The investigation is ongoing and no additional information has been released. Police are seeking any information that may assist in the investigation; please see the link above for contact information.

On the evening of Saturday, March 11, a diverse group numbering about 70 people, including teens, adults, and families with young children, gathered to pay respects and to express their grief over the situation. The brief remembrance was opened by Pastor Kevin Tranel, who spoke of the consolation that God offers to the broken-hearted and led a prayer. Several recorded songs were then played, ending with Amazing Grace. Father Pedro Lana offered a closing prayer in Spanish and English, asking for support for those involved as well as the entire community.