Ron Binning (R) presenting Bev Bonge-Ganser with the certificate of recognition shown at the right
City Manager Cameron Clapper presenting Bev with a municipal commendation
On August 8, 2022, Bev Bonge-Ganser was recognized for her 10 years of service as President of Bethel House, Inc.
Ron Binning, President of the Whitewater Rotary Club, presented her with a Certificate of Recognition and Whitewater City Manager Cameron Clapper presented her with a Municipal Commendation.
Bethel House is an ecumenical project helping families facing homelessness in Whitewater. Bethel House provides transitional housing and case management to families in need.
Come and check out the new story at First United Methodist Church’s Storywalk®, 145 S. Prairie St. Go for a short walk and enjoy the book “You Are Revolutionary” by Cindy Wang Brandt.
“This empowering picture book teaches all kids, no matter their age or abilities, that they have what it takes to change the world. They don’t need to wait until they grow up, and they don’t even need any special skills. They can make a big difference-just as they are.” Beaming Book Publishing
For the Whitewater High School JV Girls’ Tennis Team, pink shirts and tennis balls were the color of choice in hosting the Whitewater JV Invitational Tournament.
Tournament Participants
The event was held at the tennis courts of Whitewater High School and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on August 19. Participating in the tournament this year were teams from East Troy, Hartford Union, Beloit Memorial, Jefferson, Lodi, Union Grove, and Westosha Central High School.
WHS Head Coach Baron West along with JV Coach Stacey Hamman would like to thank all of the coaches and players for making this event possible.
Article and Photos Submitted by Greg Stewart Whitewater High School gstewart@wwusd.org
Editor’s note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.
On August 13, the Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) donated two student-built sheds to community members as part of the Whitewater Builds program. The program, developed and led by Tony Saverine in partnership with the district, allows high school students to learn hands-on skills by building sheds during summer school. This was the program’s first year.
One of the sheds being delivered. (Photo provided by WUSD)
“Whitewater Builds” leader Tony Saverine (L) and resident Edie Oldenburg with the shed that was built by WHS students during the summer and donated to Oldenburg. (Photo provided by WUSD)
“Whitewater Builds” leader Tony Saverine (L) and resident Grant Brown with his new shed that was built by WHS students and donated to him. (Photo provided by WUSD)
“Whitewater Builds is an outstanding partnership that gives students the opportunity to gain valuable skills throughout the summer,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, WUSD Superintendent. “We are so proud of our students for all the hard work they have put in and are pleased to have the chance to donate these beautiful sheds to two of our community members. A big thank you goes out to Mr. Saverine for all his contributions to this terrific program.”
On August 13, community members Grant Brown and Edie Oldenburg received their sheds.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
This photograph is from the Scholl glass plate negative collection of images from 1895-1910. Probably taken around 1900, this view of a back yard (possibly on Center Street) shows a woman looking out her screen door at her extensive garden. Many town dwellers cultivated large gardens of vegetables and/or flowers. Note also how the lawn was not as “manicured” as most town lawns are today.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Fort HealthCare.
Fort HealthCare is proud to announce they have once again received certification of its cardiovascular rehabilitation program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). This certification is recognition of Fort HealthCare’s commitment to improving the quality of life of patients by enhancing standards of care.
Cardiovascular rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular problems (e.g., heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery) recover faster and live healthier. The program includes exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.
Fort HealthCare’s program is divided into three phases, the first beginning while patients are admitted to the hospital with a focus on recovery. The second phase is focused on healing. After discharge, if the provider feels the patients are ready, they can start phase two through a specially designed exercise program unique to them. After completing that stage, patients are then eligible for phase three, the Cardiopulmonary Exercise and Wellness Program at Fort HealthCare.
To earn accreditation, Fort HealthCare’s cardiovascular rehabilitation program participated in an application process that requires extensive documentation of the program’s practices. AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-review accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by AACVPR and other related professional societies. Each program’s application is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee, and certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.
In 2018, AACVPR moved to an outcomes-based process with performance measurements that represent more meaningful outcomes. Therefore, AACVPR-certified programs are leaders in the cardiovascular rehabilitation field because they offer the most advanced practices available and have proven track records of high-quality patient care. AACVPR Program Certification is valid for three years.
“This program goes beyond just exercise,” said Lisa Michaels-Bilgrien, Coordinator Cardiopulmonary Services – ACSM RCEP, CEP. “Continuing education and support for our patients and the families is also essential in building the specialized, comprehensive care program and we’re honored to have it recognized at a national level.”
Staff of Fort HealthCare’s cardiovascular rehabilitation program. Pictured (left to right): Leah Rebout, Lisa Michaels-Bilgrien, Amanda Baneck.Not pictured: Colleen Voll.
About Fort HealthCare
Fort HealthCare is committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities, with a vision to be the healthiest community in Wisconsin. As the leading healthcare provider in the region, it is our goal to reach as many members of the community as possible with health and wellness messages, providing tools and resources to help individuals improve their health and quality of life while collaborating with several partners to positively improve the population’s health overall on a long-term basis.
About AACVPR
Founded in 1985, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the mission of reducing morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and disease management. Central to the core mission is improving the quality of life for patients and their families. Learn more about AACVPR at www.AACVPR.org.
Dr. Richard Francis James, 78, passed August 18 at Glenwood. He was born August 2, 1944, to Dr. Carl and Frances James in Eureka, Kansas. He had an idyllic childhood building race cars and hunting on the James farm and in Western Kansas. He was president of his 1962 high school senior class, and he presided over class reunions through 2017. He enrolled at Emporia State University and was president of the Sig Taus. In June of 1966, he enlisted in the Air Force. He was promoted to sergeant and named munitions and maintenance man of the month. His tour included Vietnam, Korea, and Japan where he built and loaded bombs. After his discharge, he completed his bachelor’s degree. He was then hired by the newly opened Shawnee Mission NW High School in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1974, Kansas named him Outstanding Young Educator. After earning his master’s degree, he resigned his position at Shawnee Mission but continued to attend reunions of the original faculty. He then began his doctoral program at Northern Illinois University where he met Marcia when she joined the program in 1976. He received the Lyle Maxwell Award while at Northern. After marrying Marcia, he accepted a tenure-track position at UW-Whitewater. He received the college and university service awards for his prairie reconstruction efforts. He and Marcia received the Vocational Instructional Materials Award at a national convention after they authored Microcomputer Applications in Business. He also received the Freedoms Foundation’s Leavey Award for his two-day Mini Business World experience where business people, teachers, and students would work together to create a business. The Wisconsin Business Education Association recognized him as their Outstanding Postsecondary Educator in 2002. Finally, Rich helped bring the Programs of Excellence Award to UW-Whitewater three times! He sang in First English Lutheran Church choir and played baritone in Fort Atkinson’s Community Band for 25 years. He played golf and made wine with many friends. He and Marcia traveled extensively. He participated in two Badger Honor Flights. He is the original owner of a 1964 Corvette, which was driven in the Whitewater Fourth of July parade from 1979-2019. He continued to hunt, oversee his Kansas farmland while being dad to Griffin (Katie) and Logan and grandad to Canon and Reed. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, and six Brittany spaniels. He is also survived by his sister and many nieces, nephews, and former students. Marcia and sons would like to thank the staff at Glenwood, Agrace Hospice, Dee Simon, fellow golfers and Pastor Wendt, who faithfully visited.
The service will be held at First English Lutheran Church on Saturday, August 27, at 11 a.m. The family will be available at 10 a.m. Also, a luncheon will follow at Willow Brook Golf Course. Please send any contributions to the Dr. Richard F. James Marketing Education Scholarship, UW-Foundation, 810 W. Main Street, Whitewater. Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Are you excited that Cravath Lake is back in action? We are! Join us for crafts, snacks, music, and a family friendly party atmosphere to welcome back our lake! This event will take place on August 18th at 7:00 p.m.
Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by the City of Whitewater. Readers may also be interested in the following update that was posted to the city website on July 28.
Lakes Continue to Refill
Cravath and Trippe Lakes continue to refill since the process started on June 13, 2022. The lakes will continue to refill throughout this summer. Currently the south end of Cravath is about 6 inches from its original level at the start of the project and Trippe Lake has about another 10 inches to come up by the gate and spillway area. The rain levels over the past week should help this process. The lakes fill from north to south making the south ends of the lakes the last area to fill.
Vegetation in the Lake
The vegetation in the lake is made up mostly of cattails and grasses that grew in while the lake was drawn down. This is to be expected. Once the lake level returns to normal a majority of those plants will die off. City staff will continue to work with the WDNR to monitor the vegetation. Additional measures such as cutting and harvesting will continue next spring and into the future to help manage the vegetation in our lakes.
Fish Stocking
Plans for restocking of fish are underway. Fish stocking will occur in the fall of 2022 and 2023. Crappie, bluegill, perch and additional feeder fish will be added from fish farms first followed by bass. Additional fish will also help populate the lakes as they move in from upstream. Larger fish such as northern pike will be added by the WDNR as part of their restocking procedures.
Editor’s note: The following press release was provided by the City of Whitewater. It has been edited minimally by the Banner.
CITY OF WHITEWATER VOTES TO PLACE EMS STAFFING REFERENDUM ON NOVEMBER BALLOT City voters to consider increased property tax funding to bolster Whitewater Fire Department’s EMS staffing
The City of Whitewater has submitted a resolution to the Walworth and Jefferson County Clerks placing a referendum question on November 8, 2022 ballots. Voters will be asked whether or not to increase property tax levies to support the City’s share of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staffing improvements.
The Whitewater Fire Department provides fire and EMS services to the City and Town of Whitewater, and the Towns of Cold Spring, Johnstown, Koshkonong, Lima Center, and Richmond. Under the proposed EMS staffing recommendations, each community would pay its fair share of a $1.47 million increase in funding, beginning in 2023. The City of Whitewater’s share of the increase, based on a calculation that takes into account the equalized property value of a community, and a five-year average of EMS call volume, would be $1.1 million.
If approved, the increased funding would support up to 17 full-time, paid-on-premises Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). Seventeen full-time staff would make it possible to have a fully-staffed, onsite EMS response 24/7, helping to address increased calls for service, surging response times and a lack of available paid-on-call staff.
“Like departments across the state, our community is no longer served best by a paid-on-call staff,” said Kelly Freeman, chief of the Whitewater Fire Department. “There is a critical need to invest in highly trained, full-time, EMT personnel to be in-station and responsive to the Whitewater community.”
For decades, the Whitewater Fire Department has relied on a paid-on-call staffing model. This model, which requires on-call staff to leave their homes or jobs to respond first to the station, then to the incident, is no longer providing an adequate level of service to Whitewater. In 2020, 41 percent of EMS calls had a more than five minute initial departure time. In other words, staff did not leave the station to travel to the incident until five or more minutes after the initial call came in. This trend continued in 2021. As a result of increasing call volumes, a large number of EMS calls made to the Whitewater Fire Department were answered by a neighboring community, resulting in longer response times to Whitewater residents.
In November, City of Whitewater residents will be asked whether they support an increased property tax levy of $1.1 million to fund improved EMS staffing. If approved, the annual tax impact would be an increase of $67 per $100,000 home value in Walworth County and a $52 annual increase per $100,000 home value in Jefferson County. This increase takes into account reduced mill rates tied to increasing levy limits by the amount allowable by state law and the recent closing of tax incremental districts (TIDs).
“We are at a critical juncture to determine the level of fire and EMS services we want in our community,” said Lisa Dawsey Smith, president of the City of Whitewater Common Council. “These challenges are not unique to our city. We are seeing departments across the state facing the need to ask residents to enhance EMS and fire services by increasing the property tax levy.”
In the coming weeks and months, city and department officials will be working to educate the community about the need for improved staffing, the costs associated with its recommended staffing plan and the upcoming referendum. Additional information, including a list of upcoming information sessions, will soon be available at https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/582/Referendum.
