News

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week we are responding to a request from September for a view of the outside of the old Esterly School once located at the west end of Center Street. This building was constructed around 1860 and used as the spacious home of George Esterly, Whitewater’s most prominent industrialist in the 19th century. When the Esterly company left Whitewater in 1892 and George Esterly died in 1893, the house became available. At the same time, the nearby Union School (Big Brick, corner of Center and Prairie Streets) was being taken over by Whitewater’s new high school program so elementary school children were moved from the Union School to this building beginning in 1894. The Esterly School was used until 1927, when it was razed for the new Whitewater High School building (old Franklin Junior High School, not extant).

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

(4458PC, Whitewater Historical Society)

On Behalf of the U W Whitewater Community Optimist Club Al Hutchison, President, hands check over of $2000 to the WUSD Emergency Fund to Lanora Heim (right) and Jaclyn Tueting Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent & School Board Secretary.

These funds came from our trivia night which we would like to thank the community for their support.

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

Community members are invited to attend a free screening of the film “Wisconsin Pride” at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library on Monday, October 9 at 5:30 p.m. See Wisconsin history through a new lens in this PBS Wisconsin documentary which brings hidden LGBTQ+ stories forward, and reconsiders our state’s history in that light. LGBTQ+ history is Wisconsin history. Learn about trailblazing Wisconsinites who, when faced with intolerance, responded by creating community, living authentically, fighting for rights and having pride in themselves.   

The two-hour documentary is a collaboration between PBS Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Historical Society and will be presented in two parts with a short intermission in between each hour. An informal community discussion will follow the film. The screening is cosponsored by The League of Women Voters Whitewater Area and Whitewater Pride.  

Ellen Penwell, President of the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area states that, “the League is proud to partner with the Irvin L Young Memorial Library in support of programming that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, which align with the League’s policy and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in principle and practice.”

There is no cost or registration to attend. The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Contact the library at 262-473-0530 with questions.  

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.