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It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Beginning on February 27 and ending on March 4, 1881, Whitewater, along with much of Wisconsin, endured several lengthy snow storms that left up to 4 feet of snow on the ground at a time when people probably were thinking winter was almost over! This stereoscope view from Center Street, looking toward Whitewater Street, shows the large amount of snow and snow drifts the downtown merchants had to contend with at this time. And, the snow did not go away until well into April of that year, when, of course, it caused major flooding.

The extended winter weather was so notable, local photographer J. P.Whipple made a number of stereoscopic images (to view in an early 3D viewing device known as a stereoscope, think “View-Master”) to commemorate the event.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(1572ST Whitewater Historical Society)

Editor’s note: The following announcement was received from UW-Madison.

Just over 1,750 students received degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison during a commencement ceremony at the Kohl Center on Dec. 18, 2022. 

About 1,200 of them took part in the ceremony at the Kohl Center. Total attendance, including graduates, was 6,609. The ceremony was livestreamed so that friends and family from around the world could join in.

“Student speaker Kirstan Gimse, of Republic, Michigan related to the graduates about how she earned a PhD in cellular and molecular pathology after dropping out of high school.

“We have all come from different places, taken different paths and have different perspectives,” Gimse said from the stage. “It is the culmination of our differences that makes UW-Madison so great.”

Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, participating in her first UW-Madison commencement, encouraged graduates to give themselves and others a little grace in the years ahead. If they take the kinds of risks needed to do big things, she told them, there will be moments when they drop the ball.

To put those moments in perspective, Mnookin shared some advice that she said came from her younger sister.

“Many of the balls you’ll have to juggle are rubber, but some are crystal,” Mnookin said. “Those rubber balls, they bounce. If you drop one, you can pick it up on the next bounce and try again.”

But the crystal balls don’t bounce, Mnookin said. They break, and there’s just no way to put them back together.

“So in your work life and in the rest of your life, be sure you’re prioritizing what’s critically important – your family, your health, your closest friends, the things at work that really matter – so that when you drop a ball or two, the balls you drop are the rubber ones.”

Comedian Charlie Berens, the keynote speaker, told the graduates he worked many jobs – bike mechanic, salesman, model for ShopKo, news reporter – before eventually hitting it big with “Manitowoc Minute.”

“Time will move fast,” he told graduates. “Your job isn’t to slow it down. Your job is to fill your days with what lights your soul. And don’t worry if you can’t see the path. Once your soul is lit, the path will reveal itself. And on your path – and this is most important – make sure you watch out for deer.”

For more information about UW-Madison, visit http://www.wisc.edu. View the ceremony at https://www.wisc.edu/commencement/ and read about it at https://news.wisc.edu/winter-commencement-2022-pomp-poignancy-and-geez-louise-charlie-berens/.

Here is the degree recipient from your area:

Whitewater, WI

 Yuan Chen, College of Letters and Science, Master of Science-Computer Sciences

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the City of Whitewater.

WAFC Operating & Lease Agreement Negotiations Continue

The City of Whitewater and the Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) will begin negotiations regarding the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center (WAFC).

For individuals, families, students, seniors, and commuters in Whitewater and beyond, the WAFC provides an affordable, convenient recreational fitness environment with a variety of amenities including: fitness center, aquatic center, group classes, locker rooms, and concessions. The WAFC is located adjacent to the Whitewater High School.

Eric Boettcher, the parks and recreation director, shares, “Thank you for your continued support. Since COVID-19 we have focused on rebuilding membership and creating new ways to access our facility. We are currently in the process of implementing 24/7 access for the fitness center.”

Comparing January 2022 to January 2023, the WAFC increased total membership revenue from $16,789 to $24,719, day pass revenue from $5,887 to $8,963, and total active memberships from 1,488 to 2,176. In 2023, the WAFC aims to add another 300 new members and increase revenue by $20,000.

In 2016, the City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board took over the operation of the WAFC with the school district. The 2016 agreement has expired. To determine the direction and future operation of the facility, a new agreement will be discussed.

John Weidl, the city manager, shares, “To continue the operation of the WAFC, the City of Whitewater will be working with the WUSD School Board to outline an operating and lease agreement. Our goal is to keep the public and membership informed of this process and negotiations. If you would like to get involved or provide a comment, we encourage you to attend the WAFC Subcommittee meeting on Thursday.”

The Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center Subcommittee meeting will serve as the initial meeting for WAFC negotiations. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 2, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the Whitewater Municipal Building, located at 312 W. Whitewater St.

This is an open public meeting that you may attend in person or virtually. For agenda and meeting information, visit
https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/AgendaCenter/Parks-Recreation-Board-30/?#_03022023-1660

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lakefront Room-2nd Floor – 4:30 p.m. and Virtual
312 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/274387045
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code:
274-387-045
United States:
+1 (646) 749-3122
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

Whitewater School Board – Regular Meeting – Closed session: Monday @ 6:00 p.m.; Open session: 7:00 p.m.
Agenda: https://go.boarddocs.com/wi/wwusd/Board.nsf/public (click on meetings in upper right corner)
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin

6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online (Closed session)

• URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89212795076?pwd=dW1USlVVcFFkek5xQVhra1phVUdhUT09

– Passcode: 283724

• Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
• Webinar ID: 892 1279 5076

– Passcode: 283724

Closed Session

7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online (Open session)

• URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88453417209?pwd=VnpTS0RyejRpTGxsOWFueTJ0YytEQT09

– Passcode: 688446

• Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
• Webinar ID: 884 5341 7209

– Passcode: 688446

SCHOOL BOARD PRIMARY ELECTION CANVASS – Tuesday @ 8:30 a.m.
Whitewater Unified School District Central Office William D. Kyle Board Room
419 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin 8:30 a.m.

City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lake Front Room
312 Whitewater Street, Whitewater, WI 53190
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/633483757
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 633-483-757 United States: +1 (669) 224-3412

UPDATED
Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center Subcommittee Meeting – Thursday @ 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Agenda
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
Community Room
312 W. Whitewater St.
or Virtual
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84632353300?pwd=SUkrTTRqV0I2d2YxMlY3bVVER000UT09
Passcode: 826380
Or telephone:
1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 846 3235 3300
Passcode: 826380

Steve Watson writes, “My grandson Beckett and I had an interesting Sunday morning walkabout. Cravath Lake is abundant with birds. The sunshine and warmth brought out many species. Some locals, some passing through.”

Our thanks to Steve Watson for sharing more of his beautiful nature photos.

— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com or click on “submit a story” near the top right of our homepage.  Thanks for thinking about this!

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved the Whitewater Municipal Water Utility application to increase water rates. Effective April 28, 2023, the average residential water customer with a ⅝-inch or ¾-inch meter who uses ~3,000 gallons per month can expect a $7.27 increase in their monthly water charges. The average water bill will increase from $24.55 to $31.82.

Due to water utility infrastructure costs, the water rate case was filed with the PSC on July 31, 2022. The PSC regulates water utilities in Wisconsin and determines rates. After reviewing the rate case, the PSC determined a 30% increase was necessary and issued its final decision on February 15, 2023. The PSC requires the Whitewater Municipal Water Utility to implement the new rates within 90 days. Rates are typically implemented at the end of a billing period. The last of the billing periods that fall within that 90-day window is April 28th, 2023. A meter reading will take place on April 28th. Water used after this date will be billed at the new rate.

This rate increase is, in part, due to the need to replace the two 100-plus-year-old reservoirs with a new water tower. This
replacement has been on the capital planning horizon for several years. Due to the historically low interest rates, the availability of ARPA grant funding, and support of the newly established Tax Increment District, the planned replacement of these reservoirs was pulled forward into the 2022-2023 biennial budget. Unless significant new projects are undertaken, an additional rate increase is not expected for some time.

The approved rate increase provides an additional $687,376 in annual revenue, which will result in an estimated overall rate increase of 30.07 percent over the water utility’s present revenue. This revenue is required to enable repayment of project borrowing while maintaining compliance with bond covenants. These rates are expected to produce a rate of return on the utility’s net investment of 6.6%. This rate of return is used by the PSC as a requirement to maintain confidence in the Utility’s financial integrity. The PSC updates its required rate of return periodically based on a three month rolling average of municipal bond rates.

Editor’s note: The above notice was provided by the City of Whitewater.