SAVVY Caregiver Classes at The Aging & Disability Resource Center

Reserve Your Spot Today

The Aging & Disability Resource Center of Rock County is offering the 6-week SAVVY Caregiver Training Program on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. beginning on August 24^th and running through September 28^th at the Dr. Daniel Hale Williams Resource Center (the old Pick & Save building) located at 1717 Center Ave., Janesville. There is no cost to attend this program.

Who is SAVVY for? Any family or friend caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of progressive dementia. What is SAVVY? Savvy Caregiver is a proven curriculum developed by Dr. Kenneth Hepburn and colleagues at the University of Minnesota. Grounded in research, this educational series teaches strategies, practical real-world skills and helps to reduce stress, both in the caregiver and the person for whom care is being provided. Savvy Caregiver increases the caregiver’s sense of competence and well-being even though there may be little experience. The course will provide a base of dementia knowledge and cover a variety of related caregiving topics and information.

Reserve your spot today for the SAVVY Caregiver Training Program by contacting Karen Tennyson at 608-741-3615 or karen.tennyson@co.rock.wi.us.

Editor’s note: We appreciate the use of the photo on the homepage by Tania Van den Berghen from Pixabay.

Fort Atkinson, WI and Fish Creek, WI – The Friends of Lorine Niedecker and Write On, Door
County announce the Lorine Niedecker Fellowship. The new fellowship will be offered every
two years to an established or emerging poet familiar with the work of the 20th century
American poet, Lorine Niedecker. The purpose of the fellowship is to encourage research into
Niedecker’s life and writing, and to promote new work that deals with the poetry of place.

The two-week fellowship, to be divided between, first, Write On, Door County, a writing center
in northeastern Wisconsin, and then Fort Atkinson, Niedecker’s hometown, comes with a
$1,000 stipend, a travel grant (up to $800) and a food stipend ($200), plus lodging. The
inaugural fellowship would be between April 30 and May 14, 2023.

The successful applicant must show an understanding and appreciation of Lorine Niedecker’s
work and her place in 20th century poetics, as well as a publishing history, whether in poetry
journals, full-length book, chapbook, monograph, or academic articles.

During the fellowship period, the successful applicant will give two public programs, to be
arranged by the sponsors, and one article for FOLN’s “The Solitary Plover.”

The application, which is online only, must include 10-12 pages of poetry, a 300-500-word
statement of purpose, an intellectual autobiography, and two references. Links to past
publications should be included in the application.

The application fee is $40, payable online at https://writeondoorcounty.org/ or by check.
Application period is from October 15 to December 15, 2022, with an announcement of the
successful candidate in January 2023.

Send applications to:
Jerod Santek, Founder and Artistic Director
Write On, Door County
jerod@writeondoorcounty.org
PO Box 457
4210 Juddville Road, Fish Creek, WI 54212

Editor’s note: The image on the homepage is from poets.org.

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Regular Meeting Monday @ 6:30 p.m. (Closed session)
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street

———————————————–
6:30 p.m. via Zoom Online
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner.)
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83354531527?pwd=UnBtV1poYTZvVlc2ZXJvOHRFM0dBdz09
– Passcode: 677877
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 833 5453 1527
– Passcode: 677877
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Closed Session
———————————————-
7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online (Open Session)
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner) Includes proposal to name High School Auditorium for the late Jim Stewart, which cannot be acted on before August, 2023 and budget update.
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87099963065?pwd=M1NESVVWTCtJNnNRMjYrdTN1YlF1dz09
– Passcode: 565826
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 870 9996 3065
– Passcode: 565826

City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes speed study on Hwy 59/Newcomb St. north of Starin Road.
Cravath Lakefront Conference Room
Municipal Building – 2nd Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.

WHS-1981-ish Class Reunion – July 23, 2022 – Willow Brook Golf Course

Also present were some of the WHS graduates of 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984.

Photos by Tom Ganser  tganser33@gmail.com

ROW 1 (bottom) from left:

Rebecca Steck, Cheryl (Heth) Zoesch, Dyanna Sutherland, Bart Henry, Karen Messier, Sherrie (Schultz) Benes, Jim Schlough, Tom Downs

ROW 2 from left:

Jeff Lyons, Bob Schallock, Rhonda (Mandell) Kilcoyne, Kelly (Sweno) Strait, Lisa (Reinke) Garland, Rolf Lindgren, Sheryl (Werdin) Clark, Shari (Redenius) Genrick, Luann (Reese) Gauthier, Karla Zahn, Karin (Wildi) Ritter, Phil Ritter

ROW 3 from left:

Michelle (Sellers) Johnson, Mickey Schirmer, Mark Triebold, Sandy (Schoenbeck) Loudon, Bruce Zweifel (Standing behind the row), Jim Plucinski, Martha Lundin, Mary Jo (Peiffer) Unger, Mary Kay (Fisher) Nelson, Mark Schroeder, Pete Knusel, Reed Fulton, Chris Lenz, Dale Lilly

ROW 4 from left:

Wade Oberle, Kurt Ketterhagen, Tammy Holland, Rita (Donahue) Ristow, Robin Schwab, Eileen (Voss) Gailloreto, Karen Salzwedel, Rita (Domitrz) Hookstead, Ann (Schulte) Parker, Rob Homola

ROW 5 from left:

Phil Yao, Dave Zweifel, Scott Stauffacher, Cort Hartmann, Jeff Hookstead, Uwe Westerwelle, David Williams, Curt Brokmeier, Bob Triebold, Dave “Nellie” Nowak, Chris Ketterhagen, Mike Murphy.

Not pictured: Ami Dortch, Len Faytus, Stacie (Werdin) Faytus, Matt Gailloreto, Terri (Anderson) Laban, Bob Wagner

Update from National Weather Service 8/7 @ 3:24 p.m.:
 – A Flood Watch for flash flooding remains in effect for all of southern Wisconsin through Monday afternoon.    
 – Outside of showers pushing through eastern Wisconsin we are in the lull in activity that should last through the early evening.     
– The next round of rain should begin around mid evening bringing another round of 1-3 inches to the area it impacts with localized higher amounts possible.    
 – Uncertainty remains in exactly where this will occur but the flooding concern continues with any training storms.      – Rainfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour are possible with storms. 
What has changed?     – The area has changed slightly with a shift further north in the best rainfall potential for round 2 with slightly lesser amounts than previously expected. Still some uncertainty on where we will see the highest rainfall totals with this second round.
(See map below.)

According to the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office, A Flood Watch for flash flooding remains in effect for all of southern Wisconsin through Monday afternoon. An estimated 1-2 inches of rain had fallen by 5 a.m. on Sunday.  A second round of rain will be late this evening into early Monday morning, bringing the potential for repeated rounds of heavy rainfall and flash flooding. Rainfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour are possible. Heavy rainfall over the same areas may result in flash flooding of low lying areas, urban areas, creeks and streams, and other vulnerable areas. Those in the Flood Watch area should prepare for the potential for flash flooding, and be prepared to seek higher ground if flash flooding occurs.

Editor’s note: The Banner gave the candidates for State Assembly in District 33 an opportunity to provide a final statement before Tuesday’s primary election. As a result of redistricting, Whitewater has been split into two Assembly districts. Jefferson County residents are now in District 33. There are two Republican candidates and one Democratic candidate on the primary ballot. The candidates are listed below in alphabetical order by surname.

Update 8/6/22 @ 1:50 p.m.: The Banner has added the response of Dale W. Oppermann. Though this was received after our deadline, this was through no fault of his, as we had not located his contact information until after the original article was posted.

Scott L. Johnson, Republican Candidate for State Assembly District 33

Age: 68

Address: N3043 Haas Road, Jefferson, WI 53549

Educational Background:
1972 Milton High School
1977 UW Madison BS Agricultural Economics
Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program
Completed half of my masters credits at UW Whitewater in school business finance

Employment history:
I have worked for Monsanto and Ralston Purina.
I am a farmer and a farm consultant.
I am a substitute school bus driver for more than 20 years serving Jefferson School District

Political experience: I served on the Fort Atkinson Board of Education for 15 years

I have been well received out campaigning; here is a list of things people seem to be agreeable with.

People are tired of the lack of leadership and nothing getting done; one is elected to govern.
The people are not impressed with the Republican Party funding my opponent’s campaign in an open primary.
The people want to be represented, they want fair maps and they want term limits.
The people do not want career politicians, nor do they like the dark money that the parties receive that can be spent wherever.
The people want their tax dollars spent wisely and for the government to stay out of their personal life.
The people want the roads fixed and maintained and to collect the tax equitably from all users. Also do not spend the funds for non-road projects.
They want the school funding to be appropriate and transparent with all schools, public or private held accountable.
They want us to upgrade our workforce by utilizing our technical schools to train and equip our citizens for the high skill, high pay jobs. The people want the infrastructure built and maintained by a qualified workforce.
They do not want us to forgive student loans.
The people want their broadband to work and at a reasonable cost.
People want affordable healthcare; $50,000 a year for a family of four does not seem affordable.

I believe our elections are run very honestly with a high degree of integrity, but there are areas that can be improved.
I believe we should stop demonizing our clerks and election workers for fraudulent actions that cannot be validated in a court of law.
We can improve our elections by allowing every citizen of sound mind the opportunity to vote once.
One person, one vote, early, absentee, or in person. Our clerks should be able to count the early votes just prior to election day so a timely vote count outcome can be made, thus avoiding the perceived delays of just found ballots.

Why I am the best Republican for the job?

I am willing to represent the people. I want to listen to the local governing boards to learn of the challenges they face in carrying out their duties. How and where can our State help them succeed?

I have demonstrated that I am a principled visionary leader during my many years of service on the Fort Atkinson School Board. As a public servant, I govern for the benefit of everyone. I have not spent our tax dollars unwisely nor will I burden the taxpayer with unnecessary expenses. I am a fiscal conservative and believe tax dollars should be spent where the public is served the best.

I am a farmer. I believe that the practical, logical, common sense solutions should be used in governing.

Governing definitely requires a sense of compromise. Local governing boards have to make choices to balance their budgets each year. It is not uncommon for a member to concede their perspective on an issue to allow the board to move forward and take action. Mandates unfunded or underfunded should not exist as they create budget issues for local governing boards.

I will represent the people first and foremost. I will be available to hear your concerns, questions, and opinions. I want to take ACTION on what you have told me. My opponent will be beholden to the party that chose him.

*I believe that school funding should be accountable for all stakeholders including the taxpayer.
*I believe that we need to further incentivize our technical schools to benefit both employers and workers. These skilled jobs should support families and reduce the need for student loans.
*I believe that maintenance of our roads is required to transport our commerce, workforce and to promote tourism. The fuel tax may need to be reformatted to adequately support our roads and replace the regressive taxes like titling fees, registration fees and wheel taxes.
*I believe in promoting clean energy, air and water. My experience when establishing Geo-Thermal in the Fort Atkinson School District proved to be economical in heating and cooling costs. Agriculture, municipalities and businesses all play a role in clean energy and water, each has a responsibility to manage the waste or by products of their operations.

My knowledge and experience of Education and Agriculture, which are two of Wisconsin’s largest expenses and economic engines is crucial for a legislator. Thank you.

Dale W. Oppermann, Republican Candidate for State Assembly District 33

Editor’s note: Unfortunately Mr. Oppermann was unable to submit a timely response to our request for comments before we published our original article, as we had not located his contact information. For that reason we are posting this response that was received after our deadline.

I am 63 years old and I’ve been married for 41 years to Karleen, a teacher.  We have three grown children and three grandchildren. I’ve served six terms on the Jefferson City Council and I presently serve as the Mayor of Jefferson, having been elected seven times since 2010.  In that capacity, I have worked with both Republicans and Democrats in Madison and Washington D.C. to help bring prosperity to our community.

I also hold a full-time job as a sales representative for Milwaukee Plate Glass Company in West Allis.

I am a pro-life Republican.
I believe in upholding the 2nd Amendment.
I believe that parents should have a say in what’s being taught to their children and I think every child deserves to be able to attend a school that best meets their individual needs.
I believe that government should keep our communities safe by adequately funding and supporting law enforcement officials.  That also applies to fire and emergency medical services.
I believe that criminals should be held accountable for their actions.
I believe that our government should work with the private sector to help them provide good, family-supporting jobs.  We’ve done that in Jefferson, as evidenced by the recent announcement of the expansion at Nestle Purina which will add another 75 jobs.
I believe that government should not penalize honest, hardworking people who pay their own financial obligations themselves by offering to pay off the debts of those who don’t.

The city of Jefferson has grown and thrived during my time as mayor.  We have addressed the need for additional housing by creating new subdivisions and working with developers to create new single and multi-family housing opportunities in Jefferson.  We’ve fixed and improved many streets.

I am proud to have earned the trust of many residents of the 33rd Assembly District who have supported my campaign by putting up yard signs and offering monetary contributions. My campaign has been very transparent about who is supporting me, unlike that of my primary opponent. I am running for the 33rd Assembly seat because I would like to serve all the people of this area.  I have no hidden agenda, no false claims and I am not running for the position because I need a job. I believe that I am the best Republican for this job because not only do I hold and demonstrate true core Republican values, but because I can and will defeat Democrat Don Vruwink on November 8th.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my views.  Please vote on August 9th.

Don Vruwink, Democratic Candidate for State Assembly District 33

Since no response has been received this week from Mr. Vruwink, we are republishing the announcement that he provided to us in April.

State Representative Don Vruwink (D-Milton), issued the following statement regarding the recent redistricting decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court:

“While I am disheartened by the recent redistricting decisions made by the U.S. Supreme Court and Wisconsin Supreme Court, I recognize the courts have made their rulings and it is time for us all to move forward because there is so much work to do after the November elections and beyond. Representing voters in the 43^rd Assembly District has been a great honor, and I have enjoyed getting to know so many hard-working, thoughtful, and community-minded people on both sides of the aisle over the past six years.”

“With the recent Supreme Court decision, my hometown of Milton is now in the 33^rd Assembly District, and after taking some time for personal reflection, having conversations with my wife Beth, and hearing from so many people in the new parts of this district encouraging me to seek a term in a new district, I have decided to seek another term in the Assembly.”

“Serving my community and being a champion for constituents is a pleasure and privilege. From teaching students and serving on the school board, to coaching high school athletes and serving in the State Assembly, I bring a unique passion and perspective to the State Capitol that puts people and our community first. I am very excited to launch my campaign to be the next State Representative from the 33^rd Assembly District, and I look forward to introducing myself to voters, hearing what matters most to them, and earning their trust as I seek another term.”

Representative Vruwink currently sits on the Committee on Agriculture, Committee on Education, Committee on Tourism, and is the Ranking Member on the Committee on Rural Development. In addition to serving in the Wisconsin State Assembly, Representative Vruwink gives back to the community as a substitute teacher and umpire for recreational baseball and softball. Prior to being elected to the State Assembly in 2016, Representative Vruwink taught History at Milton High School and coached basketball, football and softball. He has also served on the Milton City Council and Milton School Board.

The 33rd District will be representing the Jefferson County portion of Whitewater, as well as Milton, Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Palmyra, N. Janesville, Harmony Twp.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.

It’s time again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. The Whitewater Fire Department has been in the news lately, so enjoy this photo of the department taken some time in the 1920s. The department is lined up with its all-motorized equipment at the rear of the old city hall where the department was located.

The Whitewater Fire Department started as a volunteer organization in the fall of 1871 and had a small fire house on Whitewater Street that included a water wheel and pump to get water to fight fires from Cravath Lake. After 1889, when the water system was installed, fire hydrants provided the water to fight fires. Equipment was still horse-drawn and included a steam-powered pumper. In 1900, the fire department was housed in the new city hall and in 1915, the first truck was purchased, soon followed by another truck and pumper truck. These three vehicles are seen in this photograph.

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

(3816P, Whitewater Historical Society)

 

“Downton Abbey: A New Era”
Tuesday, August 9, 1 p.m. (Romance/Drama/Comedy) Rated PG; 2 hours, 4 minutes (2022)
All of the favorite characters and actors from the popular ITV/PBS series reunite as the Crawley family goes on a grand journey to the south of France to uncover Violet’s newly inherited villa. Meanwhile, back at Downton, the staff has to contend with a production company, making “motion pictures.”

On Monday, July 25, the Whitewater Unified School District School Board approved an operational referendum question that will appear on the ballot Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

If approved, the referendum would renew a similar measure voters passed in 2018. That non-recurring operational referendum, which has now expired, has allowed WUSD to exceed its state-imposed revenue limit to fund critical programs and services for students.

With the November referendum, the district and board are not asking the community for additional funding, despite rising costs over the past several years. As a result, taxpayers will likely realize a reduction on their property tax bills. 

“The 2018 voter-approved referendum has been critical to ensuring we can continue to provide programs and opportunities that allow our students to thrive and prepare them for the future. Now, we are returning to our community to ask them to renew these important funds,” said Thayer Coburn, Board President. “By placing this measure on the ballot, we are proposing a solution that allows us to maintain the programs and services available to our students now and in the years to come.”

In Wisconsin, the amount of money a school district receives is restricted by a revenue limit. Every district has its own revenue limit, which is impacted by the state budget every two years and is highly dependent on annual enrollment changes. WUSD’s revenue limit dictates the majority of its operational budget. 

In recent years, state budgets have not increased revenue limits to keep up with inflation. Expenses for things like state- and federally mandated services, transportation, utilities, and insurance also continue to increase, as do other costs that are out of the district’s control. 

If approved by voters, the November referendum would provide WUSD with extended revenue limit authority to maintain academic and athletic opportunities, student support and mental health services, comprehensive instructional and co-curricular programs, and technology and facilities infrastructure.

The funds would simply go toward maintaining these programs and services. The district does not have plans to expand offerings to students.

For more information on the district’s financial needs and the November 8 operational referendum, please visit www.wwusd.org/page/referendum. 

Editor’s note: This information was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

La junta del WUSD aprueba renovación de referéndum
operativo en la boleta del 8 de noviembre

El lunes, 25 de julio, la Junta Escolar del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Whitewater aprobó una pregunta de referéndum operativo que se incluirá en la boleta electoral del martes, 8 de noviembre de 2022.

De aprobarse, el referéndum renovaría una medida similar aprobada por el electorado en 2018. Aquel referéndum operativo no recurrente y ya expirado autorizó al WUSD superar el límite de ingresos impuesto por el estado para financiar programas y servicios estudiantiles fundamentales.

Con el referéndum de noviembre, el distrito y la junta no solicitarán más fondos a la comunidad, a pesar del aumento de los costos de los últimos años. Por ende, los contribuyentes probablemente obtengan una reducción en su factura del impuesto sobre la propiedad. 

“El referéndum de 2018 aprobado por el electorado ha sido fundamental para asegurar la continuidad de los programas y las oportunidades que permiten que nuestros estudiantes se desarrollen y se preparen para el futuro. Ahora, recurrimos a nuestra comunidad para solicitar la renovación de estos importantes fondos”, dijo Thayer Coburn, presidente de la junta. “Al incluir esta medida en la boleta electoral, proponemos una solución que nos permita mantener los programas y servicios disponibles para nuestros estudiantes ahora y en los años venideros”.

En Wisconsin, la cantidad de dinero que recibe un distrito escolar está restringido por un límite sobre los ingresos. Cada distrito tiene su propio límite sobre los ingresos, que se ve afectado por el presupuesto estatal cada dos años y depende en gran medida de los cambios en la matrícula anual. El límite sobre los ingresos de WUSD determina la mayor parte de su presupuesto operativo. 

En los últimos años, los presupuestos estatales no han aumentado los límites sobre los ingresos para estar al nivel de la inflación. Gastos como los servicios obligatorios estatales y federales, el transporte, los servicios públicos y los seguros también siguen aumentando, al igual que otros costos fuera del control del distrito. 

De ser aprobado por el electorado, el referéndum de noviembre otorgaría al WUSD autorización para extender el límite sobre los ingresos a fin de mantener las oportunidades académicas y deportivas, los servicios de salud mental y apoyo para los estudiantes, programas educativos y co-curriculares integrales e infraestructura para tecnología e instalaciones. Los fondos simplemente se destinarían para mantener estos programas y servicios. El distrito no tiene planes de ampliar la oferta para los estudiantes.

Para obtener más información sobre las necesidades financieras del distrito y el referéndum operativo del 8 de noviembre, visite www.wwusd.org/page/referendum.