News

Editor’s note: The following announcement was provided by the Kettle Moraine Land Trust.

The Kettle Moraine Land Trust announces its Wildlife For All event for 2022, Reptiles and Amphibians of Southeast Wisconsin. The event will be held June 18th at the picnic shelter in Natureland Park, Whitewater from 10 am until 11:30 a.m. Families with children are welcome to attend and learn about the amazing reptiles and amphibians that call Walworth County home.

The event is free to the public as part of KMLT’s community environmental education efforts. Register in advance by contacting Rachel Tanis at rachel@kmlandtrust.org. Donations to KMLT will be accepted at the event.

Our speaker, Dr. Joshua Kapfer, is Professor of Biology at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater and a certified wildlife biologist with the Wildlife Society. In a presentation suited for both adults and children, Dr. Kapfer will outline the species of reptiles and amphibians we can find in Walworth County and talk about where they live and what they need to thrive.

Visitors will be able to interact with specimens and models of these creatures at our touch table.

KMLT is delighted to welcome Josh Kapfer to its Wildlife for All series. Dr. Kapfer earned his masters degree in biology and aquatic science at the UW-La Crosse and his Ph.D. in ecology and evolution from UW-Milwaukee. He has worked as a natural resources regulator with the Wisconsin DNR as well as an environmental consultant with Stantec engineering services company. Josh has been a professor for 12 years, and is broadly interested in vertebrate ecology and conservation. Most of his published research focuses on amphibians and reptiles. He is co-editor and co-author of Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin, which is slated for publication this year.

Natureland Park is located at W8338 Territorial Road in rural Whitewater, WI.

KMLT’s mission is to preserve and protect the natural heritage of the Southern Kettle Moraine through land conservancy and resource management. We are a land trust accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

Editor’s note: The Banner contacted Mary Kilar to inquire as to whether she wished to share any comments as she leaves her position as principal of Lincoln Elementary School. Kilar is joining the School District of Fort Atkinson as principal of Purdy Elementary School. Her response is found below.

Lincoln is simply a special school and one I will hold dear to my heart. The teachers are experts in their field and I have been honored to learn with them on this journey. The staff, families, students, and the relationships we have formed will be missed beyond measure. 

As for leaving, my heart is heavy, as this has been my second family for 8 years.  The relationships, friendships and connections I have made will remain strong for years to come!

I want nothing more than for Whitewater Unified School District to thrive!  I love this community and I know we value education and supporting one another. We all want our children to be successful!  I am honored to remain part of this community. 

I want to thank each and every person who has supported my work at Lincoln and our family.

Whitewater is special. 

Mary Kilar

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Hofstra University and Cedarville University.

Christian Zaballos of Whitewater excelled during the Spring 2022 semester at Hofstra, achieving a GPA of at least 3.5 to earn a spot on the Dean’s List. Mina Truesdale from Whitewater, majoring in Chemistry, was named to the Dean’s Honor List for Spring 2022 at Cedarville University.

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,715 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation, and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and high student engagement ranking. For more information about Cedarville University, visit www.cedarville.edu.

Hofstra University is a nationally ranked and recognized private university in Hempstead, N.Y. that is the only school to ever host three consecutive presidential debates (2008, 2012 and 2016). Our campus is a leafy oasis just a quick train ride away from New York City and all its cultural, recreational and professional opportunities. We offer small classes and personal attention, with the resources, technology and facilities of a large university. Students can choose from more than 165 undergraduate program options and 175 graduate program options in the liberal arts and sciences, education, health professions and human services, the Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs, the Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Frank G. Zarb School of Business, the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, the Maurice A. Deane School of Law, the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, and the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Hofstra University is a dynamic community of 11,000 students from around the world who are dedicated to civic engagement, academic excellence and becoming leaders in their communities and their careers.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU.)

Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) invites its member-owners to their 82nd Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 21 at 4 p.m. at the FCCU Home Mortgage Store, 732 Madison Ave, Fort Atkinson. FCCU Members can participate in-person or view the meeting virtually on the FCCU Facebook page.

FCCU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative that is run by an elected, volunteer board of directors. A credit union’s annual meeting is a key point in the year for members to learn about its financial standing, performance, and strategic direction, as well as participate in the election of new board members. These board members serve a 3-year term to ensure that the credit union’s practices, policies, and vision match the interests of its member-owners.

Each FCCU accountholder is considered a member-owner, allowing them to have a say in how the credit union operates. Each member-owner is given one vote, regardless of how much they have on deposit, to elect board members to serve their interests. This structure directly contrasts with for-profit financial institutions whose business decisions are made by a board of directors that serve the interests of shareholders.

“It’s amazing to reflect on our credit union’s founding, and how a handful of coworkers pooled their paychecks together to improve each other’s financial wellbeing. It’s true testament of the credit union mantra, ‘people helping people,” said Sue Johnson, President and CEO of FCCU. “While we have seen significant growth in the last 82 years, our dedication to people, our members and communities, has remained unchanged.”

Elvira Kau writes, “No more roaring waters, the creek now is greatly reduced and there is visibly more water in the center of Trippe Lake.”

Our thanks to Elvira Kau for this timely photo.

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Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the UW System.

The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents on June 10 approved a 2022-23 annual operating budget that continues a tuition freeze for in-state undergraduates as recommended by System President Jay Rothman.

Resident undergraduate tuition hasn’t changed since fiscal year 2013-14.

“Keeping our universities affordable and accessible is a priority, and thanks to the funding we received from Governor Evers, we are freezing tuition this coming academic year,” Rothman said. “Moving forward, it is critical we make the investments necessary to enhance the quality of education that makes the University of Wisconsin System attractive to students while maintaining affordability for Wisconsin families.”

Rothman also told regents that he has requested a review of affordability that would compare UW System costs to those of peer institutions and assess the financial impact of a public higher education in Wisconsin on family incomes.

“We appreciate the legislature’s recognition of the Board as the tuition-setting authority for the UW System,” said Regent President Edmund Manydeeds III. “The affordability review requested by President Rothman will provide us the data we need to make decisions going forward.”

Overall, the average cost of attending a UW System university for a typical residential undergraduate student living on a main four-year campus, including tuition, fees, and room and board, will rise 1.7 percent, or $273, for 2022-23. For branch campuses, the typical increase amounts to 0.1 percent, or $6.

The University of Wisconsin System serves approximately 165,000 students. Awarding nearly 37,000 degrees annually, the UW System is Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state UW System graduates stay in Wisconsin five years after earning a degree – with a median salary of more than $66,000. The UW System provides a 23:1 return on state investment. UW System universities also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy.

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

The agenda for the Dodge County Board of Supervisors meeting on June 21 includes the appointment of Cameron Clapper as county administrator, a recommendation being made by the Executive Committee. According to Daily Dodge, “The Dodge County Board’s Executive Committee has been leading the administrator search, which began in March. They selected Clapper from a field of seventeen applicants. Clapper and three other finalists participated in an assessment process on June 6th and 7th. During a meet and greet with county officials, he told Daily Dodge he has an interest in county government.”

Per a March 8 article in Daily Dodge, the current administrator, “Jim Mielke was hired in 2008 after Dodge County switched to a county administrator form of government from administrative coordinator. County Board Chairman Russ Kottke thanked Mielke for his work over the past 13-and-a-half years. He says when Mielke was hired the county never expected him to stay in the position for so long because that is not the trend.” Mielke’s last day was June 1, and an outside interim administrator is in place.

Clapper has served as Whitewater’s city manager since 2012. Prior to that he served as interim city manager for four months upon the resignation of city manager Kevin Brunner, with whom he had worked as assistant city manager for two years. Clapper told the Whitewater Banner that if confirmed he will begin work in Dodge County on August 22, and that his last day at the Whitewater municipal building would be August 5. He indicated that he didn’t have further comment at this time.

According to wisconsindemographics.com, Dodge County is the 19th largest county of the 72 in the state, with a population of nearly 88,000. Walworth County is listed as 15th largest, with approximately 103,000 residents, and Jefferson County is shown as 20th largest, with approximately 85,000 people. The Dodge County seat is Juneau. (There is a Juneau county, but the city of Juneau is obviously not in that county.)

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

Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club is seeking sponsors for its Top Dog fundraising contest, which will entail a vote for the photo of a favorite dog between September 10 and October 2, 2022. Dog owners will donate $5 to enter a photo of their pet (showing the dog only-no humans) into the contest. After registration, contestants will encourage their friends and family to vote for their canine companion (votes are just $1 each). At the end of the contest, the top seven dogs with the most votes will have the choice of some great prizes.

Many thanks to First Citizens State Bank for being the major sponsor of this event.  Thanks, also, to the following sponsors for contributing prizes:  Second Salem Brewing, the Cooper family, Katy Daixon Photography, K-9 Hair Care, Animal Medical Center of Whitewater, and Whitewater Veterinary Hospital.

Following is a list of the current prizes and additional sponsors:

Grand Prize

Second Salem Brewing will work with the winner to have a beer brewed that will display a photo of the dog on the can along with naming the beer.

Additional Prizes and sponsors are as follows:

A weekend at the Buckhorn Resort overlooking Hovey Lake in the Hiawatha National Forest from Ben Cooper and family.

Katy Daixon Photography photo-shoot for a portrait.

K-9 Hair Care gift basket of services and gifts.

Animal Medical Center of Whitewater vaccine or office visit.

Whitewater Veterinary Hospital Office visit and vaccine gift card.

The Top Dog and owner will ride in the 4^th of July Parade with the Kiwanis.

Anyone who wishes to be a sponsor and donate prizes, as well as share information with their clientele, should contact Rick Halvorson, Kiwanian and Chair of the Top Dog contest, at rkhalvor@gmail.com or 414-581-7405. 

Halvorson said, “As a retired vet, I am very enthusiastic about this program that combines our love of our pets with our love of community and helping the children of Whitewater and the world.”

This fun contest will support youth activities in our Whitewater community. If you have an interest in helping youth in Whitewater, you can check out Whitewater Kiwanis on Facebook and join our Kiwanis by contacting any Kiwanian.

Whitewater Kiwanis is a group of dedicated volunteers who help both children of the Whitewater community and the world, all with 100% of funds raised going directly to youth projects and zero to administrative costs. Last year the club distributed more than $20,000, with donations to Whitewater Unified School District, shoes and winter clothes for students, and scholarships, among other important causes. In addition, the club has donated to the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, The Community Space and First United Methodist Church that served free meals during COVID, Whitewater Youth Soccer Club, Friends of the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center Family Partnership Fund as well as supporting other service projects in the community.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.