Archives

 
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from Fort HealthCare.

On Tuesday, December 6, community members celebrated the 2022 Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Fort Memorial Hospital. The trees were covered in white lights to celebrate loved ones who have passed and colored lights to honor special persons. By charging $2 per light, the Love Light Tree has been raising money since 1985 to purchase new equipment, education, and services for the surrounding communities of Fort HealthCare.

Fort HealthCare Partners raised over $13,000 this year from Love Light purchases and donations. Funds raised during the 2022 Love Lights Campaign will be used to subsidize the cost of the CareLine service for those who cannot afford it. CareLine is a medical personal emergency response system that allows subscribers to get emergency help anytime with the push of a button. The system gives peace of mind to the subscriber and their family. Additionally, funds will be used to provide scholarships for students pursuing a degree in healthcare.

Fort HealthCare Partners are thankful for the sponsors and donors who made this year’s Love Lights campaign possible. A booklet with the list of sponsors and donors is available to view and print online at FortHealthCare.com/LoveLights. If you would like a physical copy of the donor booklet, please call Fort HealthCare volunteer services at (920) 568-5276. Donations received after December 12th will not be listed in the booklet. If you would still like to donate, please go to https://www.forthealthcare.com/ways-give/lovelights/.

Joy to the world! Wishing you a peaceful and pleasant day. Thanks for reading the Banner.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the above image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and First Lady Kathy Evers today shared a video message with Wisconsinites detailing the 2022 Executive Residence holiday decorations honoring fallen heroes and veterans and celebrating local area businesses and producers, advocacy organizations, kids and schools, and the state’s vast and valuable freshwater resources. A virtual tour of the Residence decorations with the governor and first lady is available here.      “From the annual Tribute to Our Troops Tree to our efforts to raise awareness around Alzheimer’s disease and dementia to this year’s Capitol Holiday Tree theme, ‘Wisconsin Waters,’ the Residence staff, community partners, and volunteers always go above and beyond to decorate for the holidays, and this year was no different,” said Gov. Evers. “We are also grateful to everyone who contributed to our book drive for kids and holiday food drive to help families in need this holiday season, as well as all the dedicated docents that have volunteered to help guide hundreds of visitors on tours of the Residence to showcase the amazing holiday decorations.”   “This year’s holiday displays are outstanding, and we are so glad to be able to once again welcome folks back for tours at the Residence to see these decorations in person,” said First Lady Evers. “Great thought and consideration go into these decorations each year, which is why we are thrilled to be able to share them with Wisconsinites from all over.”      Featured throughout the Residence are holiday displays from businesses across Wisconsin. This year, on display at the front gates are two wreaths donated by the winners of the 2022 Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association Wreath Contest. This year’s winning wreaths are from the 4 Mile Tree Farm in Oconomowoc. For the front steps of the Residence, porch pots and a front door wreath were created by Olbrich Botanical Gardens using plants native to Wisconsin. As guests enter the Residence, they are greeted with trees decorated by Orange Tree Imports in Madison. True to their name, the trees are decorated with oranges, which have been symbolic of the holiday season for decades. Moving further into the Residence, Jada’s Garden and Greenhouse of Blue Mounds, along with volunteers and board members from the Wisconsin Executive Residence Foundation, donated their time and talent to decorate the foyer and the dining room. These decorations include boxwood garlands, wreaths, and various goods from Jada’s Garden.    Each year, the governor and first lady decorate one room at the Residence in honor of the six million Americans and more than 120,000 Wisconsinites living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and the countless caregivers who provide them care, and to instill hope for finding the first survivor of Alzheimer’s disease. This year, the tree is adorned with photographs of residents from Vista West senior living community in Madison and ornaments made by individuals with dementia who have visited the Residence throughout the year. Additionally, the artwork in the drawing room was made by individuals with dementia. In their video message, the governor and first lady thanked the staff from Vista West and the Wisconsin Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for their partnership in decorating the drawing room and for their daily work serving individuals with dementia and their families.    Also, an annual tradition at the Residence is the Tribute to Our Troops Tree. A tradition that began in 2005 with Gov. Jim Doyle, this tree honors service members who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The tree is decorated with red, white, and blue lights and ornaments and showcases ornaments and quilts that represent each major branch of the military, as well as a variety of ornaments sent in by military families. This year, the tree was decorated not only by members of the Wisconsin National Guard but also by family members of long-time volunteer and a founding organizer of the Tribute to Our Troops Tree, Linda Hughes. Linda passed away earlier this year and her family continues this tradition in her honor. In their video message, the governor and first lady shared their thanks to Linda for her many years of service. They also expressed gratitude to active-duty service members, veterans, military families, and fallen heroes for their service and sacrifices.  Featured in the library is a book tree to support the first lady’s annual holiday book drive. Visitors to the Residence are encouraged to bring a new or gently used children’s book to help fill the tree, and through a partnership with the Mystery to Me bookstore in Madison and Reach Out and Read Wisconsin, the books will be donated and distributed at pediatrician offices around the state for kids to enjoy. Additionally, new to the library this year is a collection of American Girl dolls provided by American Girl, which was founded in Middleton in 1986. The dolls are dressed in garments that showcase the diverse and beautiful cultural celebrations families across Wisconsin celebrate each year, including Diwali, Lunar New Year, Eid al-Fitr, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Día de los Muertos, Christmas, and St. Lucia’s Day.      Finally, much like the holiday tree at the Wisconsin State Capitol this year, the sunroom at the Residence is decorated to celebrate the theme “Wisconsin Waters.” Decorations for this room, which include a mural depicting a snowy river scene, were provided by The Rock River Coalition and Lowell Elementary School. Fish ornaments for the trees were decorated and provided by St. Charles Borromeo School. While tours for the holidays have concluded, free, in-person tours of the Wisconsin Executive Residence will resume again in late spring.

On Friday, December 23 at approximately 6:30 p.m., We Energies began notifying customers of a request to reduce their thermostats to 60-62 in order to conserve natural gas due to an equipment failure by one of their suppliers. We Energies made this announcement at approximately 7 a.m. on Saturday, December 24: “This morning the amount of natural gas being delivered by interstate pipelines into Wisconsin is back to levels that should meet all customers’ needs. Therefore, We Energies is no longer urging customers to reduce their natural gas use. We Energies made a conservation request of customers after the Guardian pipeline, which provides natural gas to our distribution network, experienced a significant equipment failure — reducing the amount of fuel they committed to send by 30%. As a result of our customers’ support, no customer lost the ability to heat their home. We truly appreciate your understanding throughout this event.”

Update 12/23 @ 9:50 p.m. This link to a Fox6 video report features an interview with a We Energies spokesperson who indicates that the equipment failure was on two valves in DeKalb County, Illinois on the Guardian pipeline. One valve has now been repaired and work is continuing on the other.

On December 23 beginning at approximately 6:30 p.m., We Energies sent out the following urgent notification to its customers:

“We Energies is urging customers to reduce their natural gas use by immediately lowering their thermostats to 60 to 62 degrees. The move will allow customers to stay safe, warm and help avoid a significant natural gas outage.

This request comes after one of the interstate pipeline suppliers who provides natural gas to We Energies experienced a significant equipment failure that is limiting the amount of fuel they are sending We Energies.

The impacted pipeline is one of multiple sources We Energies uses to receive natural gas. On a typical day, an issue like this would not require customers to reduce their usage. However, with extreme cold setting in over much of the United States, We Energies is unable to receive additional natural gas from its other pipeline suppliers.

We Energies has already taken numerous steps to reduce demand for natural gas, including drawing from its liquefied natural gas and propane storage facilities, and reducing natural gas to business customers who have agreed to special billing in these types of events.

We Energies strongly urges customers to reduce their natural gas use by lowering their thermostats and avoid using other natural gas appliances like fireplaces, dryers or ovens.

The company is working to maintain service to emergency and critical facilities.

Customers should take the following actions to help reduce natural gas demand:

• Set thermostats between 60 to 62 degrees. Add layers or blankets to keep warm when lowering a thermostat’s temperature.
• Close blinds or drapes at night and avoid opening doors to retain heat. Open blinds during the day to let in heat from the sun.
• Avoid using secondary natural gas heating sources, such as natural gas fireplaces.
• Use natural gas ranges sparingly. Prepare food with slow cookers or microwaves.

We expect this shortage will last throughout the rest of the day — we will reassess tomorrow.

We truly appreciate and thank our customers for your understanding and patience as we work to manage these challenging conditions and keep all of our customers safe and warm.

We will be working tirelessly to resume normal operations as soon as possible.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage. “The Thermostat” by starmanseries is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

According to a release on Friday at 2:30 p.m. from the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office:

“Blowing and drifting snow is ongoing due to 35 to 50 mph winds, especially on open/rural roads. Bitterly cold wind chills in the -20 to -35F range will persist into mid Saturday morning. The cold temps and blowing snow are resulting in slick and icy stretches of roads.

The Winter Storm Warning was replaced with a Winter Weather Advisory for south central and southeast Wisconsin. The observed conditions/impacts are turning out to be more of an advisory level rather than warning level. The Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. 

Plan on pockets of slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the evening commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches and cause power outages. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 30 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.”

The Whitewater Community Foundation is now accepting applications for 2022 Fall Community Action Grants.
Grants will be awarded to local non-profit organizations actively working to support the greater Whitewater
community. Please spread the word to groups working to effect positive change in the Whitewater area.
Qualified projects should be intended for educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent purposes that will
benefit and improve the greater Whitewater community. Projects are expected to be accomplished within a specific period of time (generally not more than one year) and should be creative, innovative and address community needs. We
look forward to working with leaders who are striving to make our community a greater place to live, work, and learn.

Interested organizations can find more information and fill out an application at https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/community-action-grants/
The deadline for submitting applications is October 31, 2022.

About WCF: The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to “Enhance the quality of life
in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures” through
scholarships and community action grants. Donations can be made by sending a check made
payable to Whitewater Community Foundation to P.O. Box 428, Whitewater, WI, 53190, or
donate online at whitewatercommunityfoundation.org by hitting the “Donate” button on top of
the contact page. For tax purposes, the Whitewater Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization.

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) efforts that were initiated decades ago have broadened the City of
Whitewater’s tax base significantly and the result is anticipated generally lower property tax bills next
year even with the passage of two upcoming referendums and higher property assessments according
to recent information mailed to city residents.

“Most taxpayers will see a net reduction in (2022) tax bills thanks in large part to $75 million of growth
in the City’s tax base,” according to information recently provided by the city. A second information
piece goes as far as to predict that “Even with a yes vote, more than 81% of residential property owners
will see their tax bills decline.” A huge increase in taxable property responsible for the decrease is largely attributable to the recent closure of a TIF funded district that includes the city’s business park.

“It’s a story that needs to be told,” said former Community Development Authority member Jim
Caldwell when asked to comment on the predictions. “Years ago, we set a goal of having more
employees in our business park than we have at the university. Attracting more families with children
is the key to sustainable community growth for our community,” he added.

Taxes generated within a TIF district go toward infrastructure development and marketing efforts while
the district is under development. When the district is closed, taxes generated by the new development
go back on the city’s tax rolls benefitting all property owners.

Many Whitewater homeowners were shocked earlier this year by updated property assessed values that averaged an increase of nearly 8%. Commercial and industrial property assessments went up even higher. Generally, a property’s increased assessed value results in a higher annual individual property tax bill. That is, unless government expenses go down or total valuation of all city property goes up significantly.

The TIF closure has produced a scenario where the amount that each small piece of the overall
operating funding that the individual taxpayer is responsible for (“your slice of the pie”) goes down — as the overall size of the funding “pie” goes up. As long as increased annual operating costs don’t go up
significantly, each individual homeowner’s tax obligation goes down. The increased assessed values
citywide, along with large scale developments like the growing Prairie Village neighborhood are also
major contributing factors to the overall growth in the “size of the pie.”

The TIF benefit comes at a critical time with the City of Whitewater residents being asked if they are
willing to increase total city spending for modernization of fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). City estimates are that updating fire and EMS services and putting money aside for Fire/EMS equipment replacement will cost $1.1 million per year in the future.

Earlier city predictions of the impact to homeowners of an approved EMS referendum ranged from a
$52 to a $67 dollar increase for a newly re-assessed home with a $100,000 value. Updated predictions,
as all the taxing entities’ spending plans were updated, are reportedly the reason for the more optimistic
predictions.

Essentially, city homeowners are being given a choice between improved ambulance response times
with a modest average property tax bill reduction, or a larger reduction in their average property tax bill.

The numbers will vary depending on which county you live in. Tax rates are different for Whitewater
residents in Walworth County than for Whitewater residents in Jefferson. Property tax bills are mailed
out by the City of Whitewater, but the city’s share represents only approximately 30% of the total tax levy. The remaining tax revenue funds the school district, county and technical college budgets.

What happens if the EMS referendum fails? Interim Whitewater City Manager John Weidl, who was
appointed as permanent city manager by the Common Council on October 26, offered the following projection.

“Emergency Medical Service response times would dramatically increase as emergency medical response capability would be reduced to one ambulance” according to Weidl. “It is likely a waste/recycling fee would be enacted to increase the general fund’s ability to cover the costs of a (reduced) base-level on-site EMS staffing,” he added.

The news release also suggested that on top of a waste/recycling fee the city would have to continue
borrowing at high interest rates to purchase necessary fire and EMS equipment as opposed to
referendum-provided annual equipment replacement set-asides.

According to Wisconsin Public Radio, Whitewater is one of twenty municipalities in the state that are conducting public safety referendums on November 8. Seven of eight such referendums passed in the April general election. Many of these referendums are a result of small town fire departments being forced to move away from largely volunteer based service models.

The City of Whitewater’s Volunteer Fire Department was created in 1871 according to the Whitewater
Fire Department (WFD, Inc.) website. Ambulance service was added with the growth in the use of
automobiles in the early 1900s.

Earlier this year city leaders authorized the hiring of paid on-premise Emergency Medical Technicians
(EMTs) in response to difficulties in responding to the growing number of emergency calls combined
with the rapidly diminishing number of volunteer paid on-call volunteers. Call response times often
exceeded five minutes just for responders to travel to the fire station. A growing number of calls had to
be referred to surrounding communities, such as Jefferson, if a two-person crew could not be assembled.
That prolonged response times even further.

The city currently has on-premises EMTs stationed at the Fire Department 24 hours per day seven days
per week. Bunk facilities in the basement of the Municipal Building/Fire Department complex have been provided for years as volunteer EMT’s had the option of being at the station when on call.

The City of Whitewater is posting details on the need for improved EMS service and the impact it is
expected to have on homeowners at www.whitewater-wi.gov/582/referendum.

The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive for students, staff, and community members of Whitewater. All are welcome, please make an appointment call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org