News

The Young Auditorium proudly presents “The Prince Experience – a Loving Tribute to Prince” this Saturday 3/18/23 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are available now at the UW-Whitewater Ticket Box Office and online: https://tinyurl.com/4yjtbwuv

The Prince Experience (video here: https://vimeo.com/247038159) has thrilled crowds across the country with their amazing tribute to Prince and his music – this is a show you will not want to miss!  Since 2002 Gabriel Sanchez has been portraying Prince in his critically acclaimed show “The Prince Experience.”  What started off as a small local theatre production of Purple Rain has extended into what has been a night of unbelievable entertainment that keeps anyone who has seen it talking long after the last encore is played.

Young Auditorium is a premier 1340 seat Arts facility located at 930 W. Main Street (on the northeast corner of Prince and Main) in Whitewater, Wisconsin.  After several years of being closed due to Covid issues, and with a new staff hired at the start of January, Young Auditorium is in the process of rebooting the entire operation. 

Auditorium Director Jay Craggs said, “As a brand new team we have spent early 2023 getting our feet under us, and doing a small number of performances this spring to work out the kinks in our processes.”

Craggs added, “We have begun the process of reaching out to let people know that Young Auditorium is coming back!  Our staff is working very hard to recover from a long closure, and to prepare for the upcoming 2023-24 season.  I am very excited about meeting soon with our Advisory Board and talking with the many loyal supporters of Young Auditorium.”

Young Auditorium: https://www.uww.edu/youngauditorium

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Young.Aud

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/young.auditorium/

 
The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Walworth County will be at the Irvin L Young
Memorial Library on Wednesday, March 22 at 10:00 a.m. to present information about
benefits available to seniors.

The presentation will be held in the library’s Community Room located at 431 W. Center
Street in Whitewater. There is no cost or registration. For additional information, visit the
library’s website at www.whitewaterlibrary.org or call 262-473-0530.

Please join us for our March program on Understanding Wisconsin’s Courts & Judicial Elections program on Thursday, March 16, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. This will be a rebroadcast of a 2022 LWVWI webinar moderated by Joy Cardin with speakers UWW Associate Professor Jolly Emrey and Wisconsin Retired Judge Paul Higginbotham.

This presentation attempts to close the critical gap between the Wisconsin Court System and the public understanding and awareness of these courts and how they affect our daily lives. This presentation is coming at a relevant time, just weeks before our Judicial Spring Election on April 4, 2023.

This excellent program is moderated by Joy Cardin, a former NPR Talk Host, and an LWVWI Board of Directors member. Associate Professor and Chair Jolly Emrey, Department of Politics, Government, and Law, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, brings an enlightened description and analysis of the Wisconsin court system. Retired Judge Paul Higginbotham has years of judicial experience in Wisconsin’s Appellate, Circuit, and Municipal Courts. He shares a personal and thoughtful account of the courts’ impact on individuals and society.

Join us on Zoom at https://bit.ly/LWV-WW_WICourts or by phone at (312) 626-6799; Webinar ID: 822 1526 0504; Passcode: 433014.

Please note: For clarification, the Spring Election referred to in this Webinar as April 5th is actually for last year, NOT this year, which is April 4th. Additionally, there will be no Q and A after this presentation.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @lwvwhitewater.

Our UW-W American Marketing Association Sales Team placed 2nd at the National Collegiate Sales Championship at Kennesaw State University in Georgia on the weekend of March 4. This competition consisted of multiple rounds against the nation’s top 72 sales programs. The participants from UW-Whitewater included Madison Niezgoda, Emily Vorpahl, Michael Winders, and Claire Labecki.

Claire took individual 3^rd and Madison won Round 1 and increased the team’s points in the quarterfinals. Their combined score placed the team in 2^nd honors. Emily headed and kept the team on track as Team Captain, and Michael served as the Assistant Team Captain. Jimmy Peltier served as the primary coach, and Dan Herlache worked with the participants at the competition.

The UWW team is now considered the “Top Ranked Sales Team” for next year’s National Sales Championship! Congratulations on the great work! 

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Walworth County Health and Human Services.

Walworth County Health and Human Services, in collaboration with Lake Geneva Public Library, will host free QPR suicide prevention training for anyone over the age of 16. The free training will take place on Wednesday, March 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Lake Geneva Public Library.

QPR—or Question, Persuade, Refer— teaches bystanders how to provide initial support to someone in need and gives them information on where they can find additional support. Just as people trained in CPR save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. QPR is a nationally recognized, evidence-based mental health intervention. Walworth County Health and Human Services trained more than 300 community members in QPR in 2022. 

 Reactions from past QPR training participants have been positive: “Becoming QPR trained made me feel confident in my ability to recognize when someone may need help and how I can assist them in a time of need. I would highly encourage as many people as possible to get trained in QPR. You never know when you will use these life-saving skills.”

 The Lake Geneva Public Library is located at 918 W. Main St. Lake Geneva. Space is limited; registration is not required but strongly encouraged. You may register by visiting https://bit.ly/3xb1EVK, emailing walcoph@co.walworth.wi.us, or calling (262)741-3200. If you are interested in bringing QPR to your organization, business, community group etc: please complete this inquiry form: https://bit.ly/3jHUkO4

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for 24/7 crisis support, or chat at 988Lifeline.org to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

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

Get energized for spring with a Journaling Workshop led by local writer Katy Daixon Wimer. Enjoy reflective journaling prompts and inspiring conversation. Feel free to bring your own journal, or a small journal will be provided.   

The event will be held at the Irvin L Young Memorial Library’s Community Room located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater on Tuesday, March 21 at 6:00-7:30 p.m. 

This program is for adults and there is no cost to attend. Teens are welcome with a participating adult. Registration is requested. Visit whitewaterlibrary.org and click on “Events – Registration Forms” to register in advance. You may also email sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-458-2782 to register, or with any questions.  

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

Races on the April 4 general election ballot include Justice of the Supreme Court and Whitewater Unified School District School Board Member, City of Whitewater Common Council (three uncontested races), and City of Whitewater Municipal Judge. In Jefferson County there is also an uncontested race for Circuit Court Judge Branch 4. The towns also have races for Supervisor. You may view your ballot here by entering your home address.

On March 11 The League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area hosted a forum for the Whitewater Unified School District candidates. More than 50 people were in attendance. All six candidates: Thayer Coburn (incumbent), Joe Kromholz, Lisa Huempfner, Stephanie Hicks, Chuck Mills, and Christy Linse participated in this event. The video may be viewed here, thanks to Whitewater Community TV. The questions asked were pulled from those submitted by the audience. Some of these included, would you support a dual language program in schools, how would you work to make sure all students are accepted and supported, will you support a future referendum, and how do you plan to address low ACT scores and below proficient scores in math and reading? A total of six questions were asked during the 90-minute forum.  You may vote for up to three candidates.

The League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area is hosting a municipal judge forum on Sunday, March 19 at 1 p.m. in the Municipal Building Community Room, 312 W. Whitewater Street. When the video is available a link will be provided here.

The school board and municipal judge candidates all responded to an online questionnaire sponsored by the League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area. The responses, as well as those of the Supreme Court candidates, may be viewed here after entering your home address.

All six candidates for the school board responded to a questionnaire from the Whitewater Banner prior to the primary election. Their responses may be read here.

In addition to the races shown above, there are three referendum questions on the ballot:

State of Wisconsin Conditions of Release Before Conviction Referendum – Question 1

QUESTION 1: “Conditions of release before conviction. Shall section 8 (2) of article I of the constitution be amended to allow a court to impose on an accused person being released before conviction conditions that are designed to protect the community from serious harm?”

Yes
No

State of Wisconsin Cash Bail Before Conviction Referendum – Question 2

QUESTION 2: “Cash bail before conviction. Shall section 8 (2) of article I of the constitution be amended to allow a court to impose cash bail on a person accused of a violent crime based on the totality of the circumstances, including the accused’s previous convictions for a violent crime, the probability that the accused will fail to appear, the need to protect the community from serious harm and prevent witness intimidation, and potential affirmative defenses?”

Yes
No

State of Wisconsin Welfare Benefits Referendum – Question 3

QUESTION 3: “Shall able-bodied, childless adults be required to look for work in order to receive taxpayer-funded welfare benefits?”

Yes
No

OBTAINING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT

Any qualified elector who is unable or unwilling to appear at the polling place on Election Day may submit a request to vote an absentee ballot to their municipal clerk.  A qualified elector is any U.S. citizen who:

• will be 18 years of age or older on Election Day.
• has resided in the ward or municipality where they wish to vote for at least 28 consecutive days before the election.   

The elector must also be registered to vote to receive an absentee ballot.   Proof of identification must be provided before an absentee ballot may be issued*.  

Making application to receive an absentee ballot by mail

Contact your municipal clerk and request that an application for an absentee ballot be sent to you for the primary or election or both.   You may make written application to your municipal clerk for an absentee ballot in person, by mail, by fax, by email or at MyVote.wi.gov.  

Your written request must include:

1. your voting address within the municipality where you wish to vote
2. the address where the absentee ballot should be sent, if different from the address above 
3. your signature   
4. a copy of your photo identification*

The deadline for making application to receive an absentee ballot by mail is:

5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 30, 2023

*Voters who are indefinitely confined due to age, illness, infirmity, or disability may not be required to provide photo ID. If this applies to you, contact the municipal clerk regarding deadlines for requesting and submitting an absentee ballot.

**Special absentee voting application provisions apply to electors who are indefinitely confined, in the military, hospitalized, or serving as a sequestered juror.  If this applies to you, contact the municipal clerk regarding deadlines for requesting and submitting an absentee ballot.

Voting an absentee ballot in person

You may also request and vote an absentee ballot in the clerk’s office or other specified location during the days and hours specified for casting an absentee ballot in person. Absentee in-person voting begins as early as March 21.

CITY OF WHITEWATER
Michele R. Smith, Clerk
312 W. Whitewater St.
Whitewater, WI 53190
(Phone) 262 473-0102
Voting Hours:  M-F
8:00 – 4:30 p.m.

TOWN OF COLD SPRING
Lisa Griep, Clerk
W3497 Vannoy Rd.
Whitewater, WI I 53190
(262) 473-6228
Absentee Hours by Appt.

TOWN OF LAGRANGE
Crystal Hoffmann, Clerk
P.O. Box 359
Whitewater, WI 53190
(262) 495-8200
Absentee Hours by Appt.

TOWN OF LIMA
Pam Hookstead, Clerk
11053 Willow Drive
Whitewater, WI 53190
(262) 473-8515
Absentee Hours by Appt. 

TOWN OF RICHMOND
Brian Hayes, Clerk
W9046 County Road A
Delavan, WI 53115
(608) 883-2269 or 608-312-9674
Absentee Hours by Appt.

TOWN OF WHITEWATER
Jorja Boiley, Clerk
W8590 Willis Ray Road
Whitewater, WI 53190
(262) 473-4639
Early, in-person voting: Town of Whitewater – Tuesday, March 21  10:00 AM – 1:00 PM; Thursday, March 23 4:00 – 7:00 PM; Saturday March 25 9:00 – Noon
Public testing for voting machine: Saturday, March 25 at Noon

Please remember if you are voting absentee, ballots must be either mailed to the Town Hall or dropped off during normal Town Hall hours: M, T, Th 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM. Use of the drop box is prohibited.

new email: clerk.treas@townofwhitewaterwi.gov
new website: townofwhitewaterwi.gov“

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The first day to vote an absentee ballot in the clerk’s office is: Wednesday, March 21, 2023.  

The last day to vote an absentee ballot in the clerk’s office is: Friday, March 31, 2023. 

No in-person absentee voting may occur on the day before the election. The municipal clerk will deliver voted ballots returned on or before Election Day to the proper polling place before the polls close on April 4, 2023.  Any ballots received after the polls close will not be counted.