News

Sherry Stanek shared this beautiful photo she took of the moon on Tuesday, December 26.

Treehugger.com provides the following explanation of this ring around the moon: “Also known as lunar halos, these bright white rings of light can appear anytime during the lunar calendar and any time of the year, especially in winter. But if you hope to see one, you’ll want to disregard the number one rule of stargazing: not to stargaze in cloudy weather. Lunar halos are actually caused by thin, wispy, cirrus and cirrostratus clouds and the refraction and reflection of moonlight by their ice crystals.

Similar to rainbows, lunar halos form when light interacts with water suspended in mid-air. That water is frozen and found in cirrus and cirrostratus clouds—veil-like clouds that float 20,000 plus feet (6 km) above our heads where temperatures are too gelid to remain liquid water….As moonlight shines through the cirrus clouds, it strikes the cloud’s millions of tiny ice crystals and refracts, or bends and changes direction, as it enters each. The light then refracts again as it exits a crystal’s other side. 

…like rainbows, halos around the moon (or sun) are personal. Every observer sees their own particular halo made by their own particular ice crystals, which are different from the ice crystals creating the halo observed by the person standing next to you. The sight varies from person to person depending on factors such as personal height and the elevation at the spot where you stand.”

Our thanks to Sherry Stanek for sharing this beautiful and unusual sight.

— 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. Thanks for thinking about this!

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

Per state law, candidates for Common Council and School Board would normally be required to file their nomination papers by Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 5 p.m. This time there is a filing extension until Friday, January 5 at 5 p.m. for one or two of the Common Council seats.

The following three seats on the Common Council will be up for election on April 2, 2024.

Aldermanic District 2 (Wards 9 & 10) – Currently held by Lukas Schreiber, a UW-W ’23 graduate who has filed a certificate of noncandidacy.

Orin Smith, 901 W. Starin Rd., #502A, has filed nomination papers for District 2.

Aldermanic District 4 (Wards 6, 7 & 8) – Currently held by Jill Gerber, who had not filed a certificate of noncandidacy by the December 21 deadline. The Banner has not received a reply from its inquiry on that date as to whether Gerber intended to run for re-election. The Gazette indicated on December 31 that Gerber had told them that she “did not have an answer” as to whether she was running again. It is possible that there will be a 72-hour extension for filing for this position. The Banner will seek to clarify this matter on Tuesday morning.

Brian Schanen, 441 S. Buckingham Blvd., has submitted nomination papers for District 4.

Council Member at Large – Was held by the late James D. Allen, who passed away unexpectedly on December 23. See this article.

Greg Majkrzak, 1294 Tower Hill Pass, has submitted nomination papers for the at large seat. Majkrzak previously served on the council in a district position.

The Jefferson County Daily Union indicates that Keith Staebler is also running for the at large seat. The Daily Union also states that due to the passing of James Allen the deadline for candidacy filing will be extended to Friday, January 5 at 5 p.m.

Persons who may be interested in running for a Common Council seat may find information about the process here. Nomination papers must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2 unless the deadline is extended. Signatures must be obtained from at least 25 people for a district seat or 50 persons for the at large seat. If there are more than two candidates for any seat, a primary will be held on February 20.

The following two seats on the Whitewater Unified School District School Board will be up for election on April 2, 2024. The Whitewater Banner did not receive a response regarding candidate status from the District office on December 20, the last day the office was open before winter break. If there are more than four candidates, a primary will be held on February 20. The seats are currently held by the following:

Larry Kachel, who indicated to The Whitewater Banner that he will be running for re-election.

Maryann Zimmerman, who indicated to The Whitewater Banner that she will be running for re-election.

Persons who may be interested in running for a School Board seat may find information about the process here. Nomination signatures are not required, and the paperwork may be completed in a matter of minutes. Candidacy papers must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2. The district office is closed for winter break until January 2 at 7:30 a.m.

Wishing you health and happiness in the new year! It’s a leap year.

You can’t see STOMP on Broadway any more — it closed in January, 2023 after a 29 year run — but you can see it next week at the Young Auditorium.

STOMP is explosive, inventive, provocative, witty, and utterly unique—an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered armfuls of awards and rave reviews and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. Year after year, audiences worldwide keep coming back for more of this pulse-pounding electrifying show. As the Boston Globe says, “If you haven’t seen STOMP, GO! If you have seen it, take someone and share the pleasure!” STOMP. See what all the noise is about.

Wednesday, January 10 – 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $58-110 when purchased in advance. There is a $2 additional charge for tickets purchased at the door. Call 262-472-2222, visit the ticket office in the Greenhill Center for the Arts, 950 W. Main St. [hours during winter break are unknown; suggest calling ahead], or on the website.

Irvin L. Young Library Board of Trustees Special Meeting – Wednesday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda: Library Director interview (Closed session)
Cravath Lakefront Room, City Administration Building, 312 W Whitewater Street

City of Whitewater Landmarks Committee – Thursday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Territorial Oak Site, Birge Fountain Anniversary Party and Special Event Rules, Esterly Carriage House Sale, Year’s plans for mounds, and five year plan.
Cravath Lakefront Room, 312 West Whitewater St.,
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/902144517
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code:
902-144-517
United States:
+1 (872) 240-3311

City of Whitewater CDA Visioning & Planning Workshop – Friday @ 11:30 a.m.
Agenda
Whitewater Municipal Building
Cravath Lakefront Conference Room, 2nd Floor
312 West Whitewater St.

According to the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office, freezing drizzle is expected to move across most of southern Wisconsin this evening. The drizzle is anticipated to arrive in the Whitewater area between 9-11 p.m. A light glazing of ice on roads is expected, along with slick driving conditions, especially on untreated roads.

The freezing drizzle will mix with and change to light snow overnight, with the light snow continuing into Sunday, ending from west to east during the afternoon. The transition to snow is expected to occur between 4-6 a.m. on Sunday in the Whitewater area.

Dear Common Council, Staff, and Community Members of Whitewater,

As we close an extraordinary year, I am filled with pride and gratitude in what we have achieved together. This year marks a significant departure from the past, not just in terms of productivity, positivity, and accomplishments, but in our renewed energy and purpose. It’s commonly said that our organization has accomplished more this year than in the previous decade. I firmly believe this is a testament to our collective dedication and (re)commitment to integrity, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

A New Era in Public Safety

The City’s commitment to public safety has been a cornerstone of this transformation. The
implementation of the $1.1 million referendum, approved by an overwhelming 65% of voters, has been a game-changer for Whitewater and the surrounding communities. Transitioning our Fire and EMS service from volunteer [paid on call] and part-time to a full-time department was no small feat. Yet, in less than a year, we have not only achieved this, but have also secured paramedic certification for the Whitewater Fire Department. The impact? Our turnout times have been slashed by more than half, to an impressive average of less than two minutes. This monumental achievement could not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our firefighters and EMTs, under the exceptional leadership of Fire Chief Kelly Freeman and his assistant Chief(s) Jason Dean, Ryan Dion, and Joe Uselding.

Moreover, under Chief Dan Meyer’s guidance, we are taking proactive steps to ensure our policing services meet the evolving needs of our community. Technological investments have already taken place and are making an impact, including license plate cameras at critical intersections throughout the community and the investment in drone technology. Further, we are partnering with an independent agency for a thorough review of our police staffing and operations in 2024, signifying our dedication to continuous improvement and adherence to our mission.

Revitalizing Economic Development

In the realm of economic development, we’ve seen equally impressive strides. Our collaboration with Dollar General and ALDI, along with our ongoing partnership with the Whitewater Grocery Co-op to help them realize their dreams, has been pivotal in addressing the urgent need for accessible grocery options. The excitement builds as ALDI prepares to break ground in the coming months, and our commitment to eliminating the challenges of being a USDA-designated food desert is unwavering.

Our downtown area is experiencing a resurgence with ongoing rehabilitation projects, and the CDA and Plan and Architectural Review Commission (PARC) recently approved a $7.5 million industrial development, spanning 100,000 square feet, slated for next year. These initiatives promise not only economic growth but also job creation and increased activity. Finally, several housing projects are on the horizon, with two single-family projects already in the pipeline for approval. Our focus will continue to be facilitating the creation of family-style housing options across the City as well as supporting those developments with the services and amenities they require.

Driving these developments is our new Economic Development Director, Calli Berg. Her expertise and initiative have already steered the Community Development Authority (CDA) toward new projects. Under her guidance, two properties in the downtown area are under contract for redevelopment, with more exciting projects on the horizon. These efforts are reigniting the entrepreneurial spirit and bolstering small business support in Whitewater.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the members of the CDA and their staff assistant, Bonnie Miller. The CDA’s dedication and hard work over the past year, especially during a period without a full-time director, has been instrumental in maintaining our momentum and positioning us for the year ahead.

Strengthening Our Team: Recruitment and Retention

Our strategic plan this year placed a high priority on revolutionizing our approach to recruitment and retention. Recognizing the importance of attracting and nurturing dedicated local government professionals, we’ve embraced new strategies to support their careers in an environment that’s increasingly challenging, politically perilous, and financially constrained.

Under the guidance of our Human Resources Manager Sara Marquardt, we’ve implemented several innovative measures, such as conducting ‘stay interviews’ to better understand and address the needs of our employees and launching our Future Leaders Program for staff members demonstrating exceptional talent and passion.

Additionally, we’ve introduced a range of employee-centric initiatives, such as reduced fitness center memberships, increased opportunities for interdepartmental mingling, and significant adjustments to wage ranges accompanied by employee bonuses. These efforts underscore our commitment to creating a supportive, inclusive, and engaging workplace.

Enhancing Our Natural Resources: Lakes Improvement Initiative

This year, we’ve also turned our attention towards enhancing the natural beauty and ecological health of our lakes. Following the dredging project undertaken before my tenure, we faced challenges with unsightly vegetative growth, particularly cattails. Our response to this has been proactive and impactful.

We embarked on a multi-year dredging project specifically targeting cattail removal from public spaces. The visual improvements have been significant, and our initial assessments, supported by research from similar projects, suggest a strong likelihood of substantially reducing cattail growth in these areas.

Furthering our commitment to our lakes, the City Council approved the formation of the Lakes Advisory Committee (LAC). This committee is tasked with a critical review of the current lakes’ management plan and the circumstances that led us to this point. They will also explore and recommend future lake management strategies, which may include the initiation of a Lakes Management District.

The commitment of City staff and our governing body, along with increased citizen and community participation, underscore our dedication to rectifying the unanticipated outcomes of the dredging project. We are firmly committed to devoting our time, resources, and collective efforts to ensure the rejuvenation and sustainable management of our lakes.

Acknowledging Partnerships and Looking Ahead

As we reflect on this year’s achievements, the support and collaboration of numerous partners have been instrumental. I am especially appreciative of the Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) for their ongoing support of the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center. I also extend my thanks to Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent of WUSD, for her leadership in enhancing educational outcomes and her commitment to diversity and inclusion through efforts such as providing access to English classes for non-students and supporting the Latinx job fair.

My gratitude also goes to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and its new Chancellor, Dr. Corey King. His guidance in reimagining the Innovation Center and his team’s work on the Intergenerational Technology Services (IGeTS) at the Community Engagement Center (CEC) have been invaluable on our journey of transformation.

The spirit of inclusivity, diversity, and service championed by organizations like the Whitewater Community Foundation, Discover Whitewater, and the Friends of the Aquatic Center, among others, truly sets our community apart. Looking forward, I am filled with anticipation and excitement for what the future holds. The past year has set a high bar, but I am confident that the next year will bring even more for the community and our stakeholders.

In closing, I want to express my deepest appreciation for the hard work and dedication of each one of the City staff, elected officials, committee members, volunteers, contributors, and stakeholders in the City of Whitewater. Your collective efforts have been the driving force behind this transformative year in Whitewater. As we look to the future with optimism and determination, I am excited and honored to continue this journey with you, shaping a welcoming, safe, and dynamic community.

Tribute to Council President James “Jim” Allen

As we reflect on the year’s accomplishments, it’s with a heavy heart that we also remember Council President James “Jim” Allen, who sadly passed away on December 23, 2023. Jim’s dedication to Whitewater was evident in his long-standing service to the community and in every initiative he championed. From his role on the CDA and the establishment of the Lakes Advisory Committee, to his commitment to ensuring the future of the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center, his contributions have left an indelible mark on our community.

Under his leadership as Council President, Jim was instrumental in developing key public safety initiatives, notably the transition to a full-time Fire and EMS service in 2023 and the reinforcement of law enforcement resources for next year.

In honoring Jim’s legacy, we acknowledge the void his passing leaves in our council and our community. His dedication to public service and his impactful work will continue to inspire us. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him. Jim’s memory and contributions will forever be a part of Whitewater’s story. Please be on the lookout for our future efforts to honor Jim’s legacy.

Warmest Regards,
John S. Weidl, City Manager

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

Continuing our holiday “bird” theme, we wish everyone “A Happy New Year” via another penny postcard, this one from 1908. The greetings were sent to Miss Edith Wheeler of Whitewater from a “cousin” in Milton almost 116 years ago!

Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2024 and join the Whitewater Historical Society as we feature more historic images next week.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Ice Age Trail Alliance. Whitewater is an Ice Age Trail Community.

Ice Age National Scenic Trail Ends Year with 698 Officially Completed Miles
Prolific Trailbuilding Year with Record Number of Volunteer Hours

Cross Plains, Wis. – After a robust Trailbuilding season, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail now boasts 698 officially complete miles. That’s nearly 15 miles more than last year at the same time.

The Ice Age Trail, which follows the terminal moraine of the last glaciation, is 1,200 miles long. It’s currently comprised of completed, blazed miles and connecting routes. Typically rural roads or highways, connecting routes link completed, blazed segments of Trail.

“So much was accomplished in seven months of Trailbuilding,” says Luke Kloberdanz, Executive Director and CEO of the Ice Age Trail Alliance. “And it’s all because of our large number of volunteers and their dedicated service.”

In fiscal year 2023, 1,990 Ice Age Trail Alliance volunteers contributed a record 100,666 hours to Trail-related activities.

“It was a pretty spectacular Trailbuilding year,” says Dave Caliebe, Trail Program Manager for the Ice Age Trail Alliance. He attributes the record number of volunteer hours to “a great group of new volunteers who find value giving back to the Ice Age Trail after hiking it.”

Large-Scale Trailbuilding Projects Drew Volunteers from Across the Region

In 2023, the Ice Age Trail Alliance hosted eight, large-scale, multi-day Trailbuilding projects in Taylor, Marquette, Waupaca, Dane, Rock, and Door counties. Volunteers from across the Midwest participated; crafting Trail tread, building bridges, boardwalks, rock walls, and steps.

Highlights of these projects included: 5.3 miles of new Trail on the Rib Lake segment in Taylor County, and 3.5 miles of new Trail on the Cross Plains segment in Dane County.

Chapter-Led Initiatives Also Added Trail Miles

Nineteen volunteer chapters make up the Ice Age Trail Alliance. These chapters which are located along the Trail, are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep their area. This year, multiple chapters led initiatives to open up new Trail.

“Our chapter members took ownership, getting more Trail on the ground in their counties,” says Chad DuChateau, Director of Trail Operations for the Ice Age Trail Alliance. “New miles take a long time to come to fruition, and volunteers helped all along the way: from establishing contact with landowners and being involved with compliance to building Trail.

Thanks to chapter volunteers, official Trail is now blazed through Evansville (1.7 miles) and Gibbs Lake County Park (1.3 miles) in Rock County. The Ice Age Trail Community of Cornell in Chippewa County also has 1.5 miles of official Trail.

In addition, chapter volunteers constructed Trail through the Alliance-owned Ice Override Preserve in Langlade County. And, extended Trail on the Waterville,  Scuppernong, and Chaffee Creek Segments.

“This successful season, with its many new miles, gets us closer to a continuous completed Ice Age National Scenic Trail,” says Kloberdanz.

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About the Ice Age National Scenic Trail:

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a 1,200-mile footpath contained entirely within Wisconsin. It traverses the state from St. Croix Falls in the west, to Sturgeon Bay in the east, going as far south as Janesville. One of 11 National Scenic Trails, the Ice Age Trail highlights the landscapes that were carved out by ancient glaciers, which happen to be some of the most beautiful areas in the state.

Approximately 60% of Wisconsin residents live within 20 miles of the Ice Age Trail.

About the Ice Age Trail Alliance:

The Ice Age Trail Alliance is a nonprofit, member and volunteer-based organization which conserves, creates, maintains, and promotes the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. For more information visit iceagetrail.org.

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers on December 28 ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff beginning Thurs., Dec. 28, 2023, until the date of interment for former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl. Gov. Evers yesterday released the following statement regarding U.S. Sen. Kohl’s passing. “A Milwaukeean and Wisconsinite through and through, U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl dedicated his life to serving our kids, our communities, our state, and our country. “Sen. Kohl was, without a doubt, nobody’s senator but ours. Kathy and I are devastated by the news of his passing.” “Sen. Kohl was deeply committed to community, kindness, and service to others. Wisconsin’s seniors, students, teachers, and schools, and farmers and rural areas, among so many others, are better off because of his life and legacy, the impacts of which will last for generations. “Kathy and I join the people of Wisconsin, friends and colleagues of Sen. Kohl, and the many people whose lives he impacted—both near and far—in offering our sincerest condolences to the Kohl family and the Herb Kohl Foundation in mourning the loss of this Wisconsin giant.” Services for former U.S. Sen. Kohl are set to occur at a future date in January. Executive Order #219 will be in effect beginning on Dec. 28, 2023, until interment. Executive Order #219 is available here.