News

The Whitewater Arts Alliance is extending its Hallow’s Gala Call for Art in October 2023. The non-profit organization wants to amass a bigger presence towards this event and open the door for more artists. The exhibition is open to Halloween and fantasy enthusiasts of all mediums (2D and/or 3D). The new application submission deadline is Sunday, October 8, 2023.

Applicants can register online at https://www.whitewaterarts.org/…/2023-hallows-gala… or mail their forms to Whitewater Arts Alliance, P.O. Box 311, Whitewater, WI 53190. Forms can be downloaded from https://www.whitewaterarts.org/hallows-gala-2023

The new duration for the Hallow’s Gala will run from October 13 to 29, 2023. The closing reception will still be on October 29 at 6:00 p.m. The virtual show will also open on October 30, 2023. Visitors can view the show at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 West Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190, Thursdays through Sundays from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Questions can be directed towards the Whitewater Arts Alliance, wwartsalliance@gmail.com or 262-472-0204. The co-chairs of the show are current board member Christine Hayes and former manager Ashley McDarison.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the UW-W College of Arts & Communication, Dept. of Theatre/Dance.

UW-Whitewater presents the gripping drama “Wreckage” starting this Friday

The College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater announces the first show of the 2023/2024 Theatre/Dance season with “Wreckage” by Sally Stubbs. Directed by Bruce Cohen, this production will run in Hicklin Studio Theatre on select days from Oct. 6-14. Tickets are on sale for the performances and can be purchased in person at Ticket Services, online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling (262) 472-2222. [Adults are $17, age 65+ are $15, and under age 18 are $12. There is a $2 surcharge for tickets purchased at the door.] The Hicklin Studio Theatre and UW-Whitewater Ticket Services are located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts at 950 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190. 

Step into the shadowy underbelly of Vancouver with “Wreckage” by Sally Stubbs, directed by Bruce Cohen. Twenty-five years after Rose disappears from a horrible train wreck, her red suitcase mysteriously ends up in the hands of her daughter, Violet. With the aid of her mother’s diary, Violet embarks on a search for the truth that reveals sordid and bizarre secrets from the past. With a host of dark, yet humorous characters including gangster chefs and a Puccini-singing ghost, “Wreckage” will have you eagerly awaiting each new revelation.

This play contains themes and theatricalized depictions that some may find troubling. It is intended for adult audiences and mature sensibilities. This play is not appropriate for children.

On choosing this production, Cohen states “Sally Stubbs has written a terrifically stylish play that really nails the Film Noir aesthetic its story calls for. The script is playfully dark with transgressive thrills and a cheeky sense of humor.”

The cast for the UW-Whitewater production of “Wreckage”  includes Abby Frey as Rose, Anna Olson as Violet, Antonio Parra as Big Man, and Katie Aldred as Momma. 

Show times:

• Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 7 at 2 p.m.
• Oct. 8 at 2 p.m.
• Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 14 at 2 p.m.

You don’t want to miss this thrilling performance of “Wreckage” in Hicklin Studio Theatre Oct. 6-14. Get your tickets today in person, online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling (262) 472-2222. There is a $2 surcharge for tickets purchased at the door at the time of the event. The Hicklin Studio Theatre and UW-Whitewater Ticket Services are located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts at 950 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190. 

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Community Foundation.

Are you looking for a part time position in which you can work independently and be part of a growing, community-focused organization?  Consider the role of program coordinator for the Whitewater Community Foundation.

We are seeking a self-starter who is a planner and an organizer who can help this non-profit organization reach its goals in serving the Whitewater, Wisconsin Community.

Currently the position is a 20 hour per week position at $19 to $20 per hour.  But the right person can grow the position if successful in aiding the organization to meet its goals.

The successful candidate must have excellent communication skills, work with Google Docs, manage our website, stay on top of multiple projects, keep the Board of Directors well-informed and demonstrate a commitment to the Foundation mission and vision.

Interested candidates should submit a letter of application and resume to Chairperson@Whitewatercommunityfoundation.org

Direct questions to Chairperson@Whitewatercommunityfoundation.org  or contact Co-president Roni Telfer at rtelfer@Ameritech.net

Editor’s note: The following press release was received on Tuesday evening, October 3 from City Manager John Weidl.

“I’m writing to share with the community that I have been selected as a finalist for the Village Administrator position in Salem Lakes, WI.

During my tenure in Whitewater, we’ve celebrated new developments like Starbucks and A-1 Packaging, introduced ALDI – the first new grocer since 2016, created and funded an affordable housing policy, reduced Fire and EMS response times, and revitalized our local government PEG channel, among other achievements. Staff speak clearly and openly of their shared commitment to productive, engaged and transparent government. Staff speak openly of their support for me as City Manager, and I am humbled by their words and grateful for their trust.

This opportunity is not due to a reduced commitment to the City of Whitewater, organizational goals, or its taxpayers. Whitewater is on the cusp of a bright new future, provided process and productivity, not politics, drive decision-making. This opportunity arises from my desire for stability for my new daughter and, for myself, a supervisory environment that emphasizes respect and professionalism.

Most importantly, should a transition occur, I want to assure my full support and participation in the continuity of Whitewater’s city operations.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and time.

Sincerely,
John S. Weidl
City Manager, City of Whitewater”

Editor’s note: According to the Salem Lakes website, “We officially became the Village of Salem Lakes on February 14, 2017.  Salem Lakes is a rural community with a population of approximately 14,625. Our Village consists of five small “hamlets” which include Camp Lake, Salem, Silver Lake, Trevor and Wilmot.” According to a report, previous village administrator Michael Murdock had been placed on paid administrative leave for approximately six weeks during an investigation and left employment in August, 2023 under a separation agreement. The website indicates that the interim village administrator is Dave Bretl, who retired in 2020 as administrator and corporation counsel of Walworth County. The village does not appear to have publicly announced the finalists for the administrator position.

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Common Council Authorizes Outside Counsel Regarding “Disciplinary and Personnel Matters”

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

During the Common Council meeting on October 3, Council President James Allen made a motion to authorize engaging an outside attorney to advise the Council on disciplinary and personnel matters. The motion, as amended to provide for up to $10,000 in expenses, was passed on a 4-3 vote, with Allen, Gerber, Hicks, and Stone voting in favor. This action would pertain specifically to the City Manager, since that position is the only one that reports to the Council. A similar motion had failed to pass in a late summer meeting.

Speaking against the motion, Brienne Brown indicated that she had been advised by officials in other communities that a new manager should be given at least two years to adapt to their position. Not allowing this timeframe, she was told, would make for difficulty in attracting a new manager. Lisa Dawsey Smith stated that she shared those concerns. Citizen Brian Schanen also spoke against the motion, indicating that he had noted recent progress in the city and felt that hiring a third attorney to advise the city would be a waste of resources. In addition to the City Attorney, a labor attorney is also on contract with the city, and Human Resources Manager Sara Marquardt indicated that the Council had not inquired as to whether this attorney might advise the Council.

In making the motion, James Allen stated that the Council had not had opportunity to meet in closed session to evaluate the City Manager. John Weidl stated that the Council had actually had two such sessions in the past sixty days.

Weidl served as interim city manager beginning in August, 2022 upon the resignation of previous manager Cameron Clapper. He was hired as city manager effective November 7, 2022.

Contacted after the adjournment of the Common Council meeting, Allen indicated that he had not yet received notification of Weidl’s announcement regarding the Village of Salem Lakes administrator search. (See separate Banner article.)

According to the Rock County Public Works website, the closure for paving and culvert replacement on County Highway N, which extends from the western end of Walworth Street, is now expected to continue through October 13. Originally this project was planned to be completed by August 31, with the completion date subsequently being delayed to September 29.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Transportation website projects that the Highway 12 reconstruction between Whitewater and Fort Atkinson is anticipated to be completed on November 3. Originally it was indicated that work might be continuing until sometime in December.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Esmoth from Pixabay.

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

Patrick Taylor is a WUL Hometown Hero. He was nominated by 11-year-old Rafa Los for serving as City Judge and helping the community.

As Municipal Judge for the City of Whitewater, Patrick focuses on promoting community justice to reduce repeat offenders through education with an emphasis on re-directing youth and their families in positive ways. Patrick also serves as President of the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club whose mission is to help the children of the community and beyond. Additionally, he sits on both the City’s Urban Forestry and Ethics Commissions, and the Board of Zoning Appeals. Patrick chairs the Chapter Advisory Board for Phi Delta Theta’s fraternity at UW-Whitewater and is President of First United Methodist Church’s Board of Trustees.

WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.   

Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com 

Editor’s note: This announcement and photo were provided by Sarah Hoots.

This summer, Abbie Rhodes, Erin Vosburgh, and Ruby Hoots from Whitewater Girl Scout Troop 7639 earned their Bronze Award for their volunteering at Mulberry Glen.

The Bronze award, one of the highest awards in Girl Scouting, represents over 20 hours of community service towards a chosen project. Abbie, Erin, and Ruby chose to dedicate their time on multiple occasions over the summer, serving meals, visiting with, and planning activities for the residents of Mulberry Glen. They also hope to continue as pen pals with a few special friends they made.

Editor’s Note: The following was submitted by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Dr. Jimmy Peltier wears a lot of hats at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. As a marketing professor, department chair, director of the sales institute, and AMA advisor, Peltier is a very busy man. Despite this, he continues to dedicate time to research and scholarly content creation, citing it as his second favorite pursuit after helping students excel.

Dr. Peltier began his publishing journey in 1989. Fast forward three decades, he now has earned over 10,000 citations on Google Scholar. Peltier writes on a wide array of topics that include digital marketing, healthcare, and marketing education. “Just spreading the knowledge to someone else who may be writing a paper so they know what is already out there” is what Peltier says is important about people citing his work. 

“We are immensely proud of Dr. Peltier’s remarkable achievement,” said Dr. Paul Ambrose, Dean of the College of Business and Economics. “This milestone reflects the caliber of our faculty and their commitment to producing impactful research. It also highlights our school’s dedication to providing students with access to knowledgeable faculty who lead by example.”

The achievement of surpassing 10,000 citations on Google Scholar marked a significant milestone in Dr. Peltier’s illustrious career. He celebrated this accomplishment with enthusiasm, sharing the news with his wife, and with colleagues during a department meeting. But Peltier has no plans to stop publishing anytime soon. 

Peltier said, “I get in excess of a thousand citations a year. So this number is only going to go up. And it is something I can still do after I retire so I will continue to explore, write, publish, and continue to share the knowledge.”

To access Dr. Peltier’s work on Google Scholar, please click here. 

Congratulations to Professor Peltier on this outstanding achievement!

About Dr. Jimmy Peltier:

Dr. Peltier received his Ph.D. in Marketing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has over 35 years of business experience as a consultant, Research Director in an Advertising Agency, and as President of a marketing consulting firm. Dr. Peltier’s sales expertise lies in developing buyer-seller relationships, understanding students’ intent to pursue a sales career, database requirements for the sales force, and successful relationship marketing practices. Dr. Peltier directed the launch of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Institute for Sales Excellence in 2012, and has led it to national prominence as an institution and as a sales competition powerhouse. Dr. Peltier is a Past-President of both the University Sales Center Alliance and the American Marketing Association Collegiate Chapters Council (twice). He has received life-time Achievement Awards from the AMA, the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation, and is the only person to have received UW-Whitewater’s top three Lifetime Awards, including the Roseman Teaching Excellence, University Research, and University Service Awards. Dr. Peltier has been faculty advisor for UW-Whitewater’s AMA chapter since 1986 and has directed the UWW Chapter to 19 International Chapter of the Year Awards, including 12 years in a row from 2011-2021. With a prolific research career spanning over three decades, Dr. Peltier’s work has earned him over 10,000 citations on Google Scholar. His research areas include digital marketing, healthcare, and marketing education, and he is known for his unwavering commitment to sharing knowledge and advancing the field.

About the College of Business and Economics:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics (CoBE) is Wisconsin’s largest business school. It is home to the #1 ranked online, single school Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program in the State and is the only college in Wisconsin that offers an AACSB-accredited Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) degree program.  CoBE is in the top 2% of the world’s business schools having earned both AACSB and AACSB Accounting Accreditation. More information can be found here.