Editor’s note: The following information was received from a political candidate announcing that he is running for office. Any other candidate wishing to seek a political office in the Whitewater area is encouraged to provide information to be published in The Banner.
Jason Dean Announces Run for 31st Assembly District Seat
LaGrange Republican to bring experience as a Marine Corps. Veteran, Father, Businesses Leader and Community Volunteer to State Assembly
LaGrange, April 18 – Jason Dean, a Republican from LaGrange, today announced his candidacy for the Wisconsin State Assembly. Jason is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, father, private sector business leader, and active community volunteer. He promises to bring experience, commitment, and commonsense conservative values to Madison on behalf of the people of the 31st Assembly District.
“After serving our country for over 20 years in the United States Marine Corps., I now have a strong desire to serve Wisconsin, and I see a state in need of help. Politicians in Washington and Madison like Joe Biden and Tony Evers are leading us in the wrong direction. I’m running to get back our way of life, empower Wisconsin families and local communities, not big government, and return commonsense leadership to our state,” said Jason Dean.
Jason served over two decades in the United States Marine Corps and deployed for multiple tours of duty in Iraq. In 2006, Jason was wounded in action by enemy fire. He was subsequently awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
Jason held leadership roles throughout his military career and achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. His final duty station included serving as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Pentagon. The same sense of service to our nation that inspired Jason to enlist in the Marine Corps motivates his efforts to serve in elected office.
Upon his retirement from the military in 2017, Jason and his family relocated to Wisconsin and settled in LaGrange. In 2018, Jason began volunteering for Congressman Bryan Steil’s campaign and served as Field Director, coordinating the grassroots efforts for the campaign. After helping Congressman Steil win the election, Jason accepted a position at ABC Supply Company, Inc. to serve on a divisional leadership team.
On a volunteer basis, Jason serves as an Advanced EMT with the Lauderdale-LaGrange Fire Department and on Whitewater Fire Department (WFD). In 2021, Jason was elected to the WFD Board of Directors as the Vice-President. Jason holds leadership roles in various veterans’ service organizations in Wisconsin including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) where he advocates for veterans and their benefits.
Jason lives in LaGrange with his wife, Jessica and his teenage son Jeffrey. Jason also has two adult sons currently serving in the United States Marine Corps.
Editor’s note: The following information was received from Live Life Spiritual Direction, LLC.
Live Life Spiritual Direction, LLC is the newest business to open in Whitewater. Through her healing and wellness business, Denise Maple serves her clients via Reiki, spiritual counseling, holistic business coaching, ministerial services, and workshops.
The Grand Opening will take place on Thursday, April 28th and will include a free seminar titled The Power of Gratitude, refreshments, and giveaways.
Details for the opening are as follows: Thursday, April 28, 2022 4:30-7:00 pm 202 E. Main St, Whitewater (Editor’s note: For many years this building was the office for Century 21 Realty. Denise Maple indicates that Connie Weihert of Supportive Healing will still provide massage therapy in the building as well. ) 4:30-4:45: Ribbon Cutting 4:45-5:30: Refreshment and Tours 5:30-6:00: Free Seminar – The Power of Gratitude 6:00-6:45: Refreshments and Tours 6:45-7:00: Drawing for a Live Life Spiritual Direction session and local business gift cards
Given the stress that so many have endured over the last two years given the pandemic, business owner, Denise Maple, wants to provide support to her community. “I know I can help people not only manage their stress, but also live fuller, more joyful and abundant lives,” says Maple.
Maple’s service offerings are not widely known. She understands that she must educate her client base and the community on how she can assist them reach their goals. A brief explanation can be found below of her main services. • Reiki provides energy healing that promotes overall well-being and aligns chakras. It is used as integrative care in health programs at medical institutions like the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic. There are studies that indicate that Reiki may stimulate the immune system and detoxify the body. • Spiritual Counseling assists people to uncover and overcome limiting beliefs so that they can get in touch with and ultimately experience their deepest desires. Working with a spiritual counselor not only can help someone overcome trauma, but reach their goals and lead a happy, healthy, successful life. • Holistic Business Coaching not only guides a business owner to best practices for their business decisions, but also addresses the mental, emotional, and spiritual obstacles that may block entrepreneurs from their greatest success.
Denise Maple combines her 25 years of financial services experience with her background in entrepreneurship, teaching, and spiritual training to provide a comprehensive coaching plan that ensures success in life and business.
About Live Life Spiritual Direction, LLC Through Live Life Spiritual Direction, LLC, Denise Maple is a holistic business coach, spiritual counselor, and Reiki Master. Denise started Live Life because she wants all of us to live our lives in a way that is true to who we are. With deep spiritual training and 30+ years of business and teaching experience, Denise can be your guide in your personal life and business. As a Clinical Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of Illinois with recognition as a Teacher Rated as Excellent by Students and a Dean’s Impact Award recipient, she is poised to teach you how to unearth and live the song of your soul and all of its potential.
Contact: Denise Maple, Chief Spiritual Officer, Live Life Spiritual Direction, LLC Tel.: (262) 724-0064 denise@livelifespiritual.com www.livelifespiritual.com Social Media Links: • Facebook • Instagram • YouTube
Editor’s note: The following information was received from the Walworth County Dept. of Public Works.
(ELKHORN, WI): Adopt-A-Highway volunteer groups will begin roadside cleanup efforts in April as part of the coordinated, statewide highway beautification program to remove the trash, recyclables, and litter from state and county roads. Drivers should exercise caution and be aware of the Adopt-A-Highway groups as they are traveling Walworth County roads.
Volunteer groups in need of supplies should contact Walworth County Public Works at (262) 741-3367. To make this a safe and productive volunteer program, volunteers should remember to be aware of their surroundings and should not pick up litter on medians, bridges, tunnels, overpasses, or around other structures that would pose a danger. If volunteers see suspicious items, they should not touch them and should contact Walworth County Public Works (262) 741-3114, Option 1.
Groups interested in adopting a road section to maintain should contact Walworth County Public Works for information, (262) 741-3367.
About the Walworth County Department of Public Works: We strive to enhance the quality of life, health, and safety of all citizens by being accountable and responsible for maintaining Walworth County’s infrastructure. Learn more at www.co.walworth.wi.us/293/Public-Works.
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Arts Alliance.
On May 5, 2022, the Whitewater Arts Alliance will be presenting a gallery exhibition of work created by Mary Nevicosi and Jeff McDonald. This exhibition will be on display through June 26 in the Cultural Arts Center located at 402 W. Main St., Whitewater. The gallery will be open Thursdays through Sundays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. There will also be a virtual display.
There will be a reception on May 7, 2022 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center. Both Mary and Jeff will be present. The reception is free to the public. Food and drink will be provided.
Jeff McDonald
“Explorations: Photographs by Jeff McDonald” is one half of the exhibit to be displayed in May. McDonald’s photography has been awarded medals at international photography competitions in the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, Africa, and Asia. His photographic interests include black and white, long exposure, landscape, birds-in-flight, and various types of studio photography.
“Antelope Canyon Study” by Jeff McDonald
Born in west-central Iowa in the late 1950’s, he grew up on a dairy farm in southern Wisconsin. After receiving Bachelor of Music and Master of Business Administration degrees from UW-Whitewater, he spent 18 years working in information technology and executive management with a large supplier of musical instruments and related products in the Milwaukee area. For the last five years, he has performed IT, web, and accounting work for a local Whitewater company.
He has served as a board member of the Whitewater Arts Alliance for seven years, including several years as its treasurer. He continues to chair the Annual Fran Achen Photography Competition. Photography has been his passionate pursuit for over 15 years.
Mary Nevicosi
“Around and Around” is the other half of the exhibit to be displayed in May. Mary Nevicosi was born in Watertown, Wisconsin, and has spent her entire professional life surrounded by the natural beauty of the state’s Southeast region. Nevicosi enjoyed a successful career of more than a dozen years with what is now George Williams College of Aurora University in Lake Geneva, as an Assistant Director of Marketing and Graphic Designer. During her employment at the university, Nevicosi created and curated the on-campus Gallery for Wisconsin Artists in 1997. Changing her goals in the helping professions, Nevicosi pursued further education at Blackhawk Technical College, Janesville, securing her certification and working as a Medical Technologist.
Art by Mary Nevicosi
Nevicosi and her husband, Jim, live deep in the heart of the Southeast Kettle Moraine area, where she now works as a “clean” studio artist. She uses no solvents and no cadmium colors. Rather, she uses walnut oil and natural colors that are close in tone and vibrancy but don’t contain poisonous chemicals—and she uses environmentally friendly lighting and often works on recycled surfaces.
In addition to oil painting, Nevicosi draws intricate portraits and landscapes in ballpoint pen and on her computer. Considered a regional artist, Nevicosi has exhibited her work extensively. Her paintings have been shown at George Williams College of AU; West Bend Museum of Wisconsin Art; Fort Atkinson’s Hoard Museum, Monroe Clinic, Portage Arts Alliance, and the Alexander House Center. Her work has been sold in area galleries and is in permanent collections of several universities and corporations.
An artist’s statement provided by Jeff McDonald: This exhibit represents several ongoing bodies of my work, two of them relatively new.
About a third of the photographs are representative of much of my black and white work. As explorations of the interplay between shadow and highlight, this work tends toward the dark side with lots of shadow detail together with areas of contrasting highlights.
In 2020, I was exploring alternative methods of storytelling through photography. That search led me to the Interpretations collection. These are photographs that have been [re]interpreted using digital post-production software tools to take them in directions more akin with illustration and painting.
Liquidity (The Oil and Water Studies and the Parasols) is a new, ongoing, body of work which consists of photographs made of liquids. The studio setups for these range from the simple and straightforward to the highly technical and complex. The Oil and Water Studies are composed of oil, water, and carefully positioned colored light; the Parasols are a different matter entirely.
The images in the Parasols series remind me of, well, parasols. They are high-speed photographs of colliding drops of liquid. These images were shot using six identical speedlights controlled wirelessly from the camera, four back-lighting a white, translucent piece of acrylic for the background along with two to illuminate the front of the droplets from either side.These were photographed in a darkened room with the shutter open for the entire duration of the drop sequence but using the flash duration to freeze the motion.
Chemical Abstractions, another new and ongoing body of work, are both very real and very abstract. The subject matter, as with many abstracts, is probably not readily apparent. These happen to be photographs of various chemical crystals with birefringent properties. They were photographed in cross-polarized light through a compound microscope. The colors result from projecting polarized light through birefringent crystals, then cross-polarizing the light for your eyes through the eyepieces or for the camera.
An artist’s statement provided by Mary Nevicosi: Everything in nature excites me. I love wild sunsets, birds migrating and even the dark November days. My whole life has been spent in SE Wisconsin and it is the centerpiece of my art. It always reflects my love of the outside. I experience life in the colors of nature and create art that shares those experiences with others.
This newest collection of work represents an ongoing artistic evolution, an extreme departure from my loose, impressionistic oil landscapes to detailed pen drawings influenced by Aboriginal paintings. The work is delicate, intricate and intense.
Interspersed are small, saturated, minimalist oil landscapes which were also created the past two years.
The mission of the Whitewater Arts Alliance is to promote the visual and performing arts through an alliance of artists, individuals, educational resources, and organizations to promote creativity and diversity that will serve to educate and enrich the lives of the residents of the Whitewater community and surrounding areas.
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the City of Whitewater.
Deb Weberpal recently honored the First United Methodist Church for being the first Dementia-friendly church in Whitewater.
Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, Inc.’s mission is to provide a safe haven that will allow those with dementia and Alzheimer’s to live as independently as possible. A dementia friendly community is where individuals with dementia live good lives, continue to be part of their community, are met with understanding, and are given support where necessary. This enables those with dementia to safely find their way around the community, access local facilities that they are used to and are known and maintain their social networks as they continue to feel they belong. It eases the fear and isolation associated with dementia and increases access to the resources people need to live well with dementia. It is also treating the person with dementia with dignity and respect. They did not ask for this disease.
Mary Beth Byrne, Deb Weberpal, Pastor Dan Fahs, Jayne Haskey, Gina McManaway (left to right)
City of Whitewater Board of Review – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m. Municipal Building Agenda
Library Expansion and Renovation Committee Meeting – Wednesday @ 2:30 p.m. Agenda Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Community Room 431 W. Center Street Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87392056990?pwd=OFFTVDk1VVppNUtBb3R4V29BR2hPQT09 Meeting ID: 873 9205 6990 Passcode: sGiLHx0f One tap mobile +19292056099,,87392056990#,,,,63632686# US (New York) +13017158592,,87392056990#,,,,63632686# US (Washington DC) Dial 1 312 626 6799 US
City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m. Agenda includes Planning and administrating the State of Wisconsin Tax Incremental District Affordable Housing Program and Zoning changes for smaller lot sizes. Location: Innovation Center 1221 Innovation Drive, Whitewater, WI 53190 in Room #105 THIS IS AN IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL MEETING. Citizens are welcome to join us in person, or via computer, smartphone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87562815738 Meeting ID: 875 6281 5738 One tap mobile +13126266799,,87562815738# US (Chicago) Dial: 1 312 626 6799 US 1 877 853 5257 US Toll-free
According to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, on April 14 Curt D. Patrick, age 38, of 225 S. Maple Lane, Whitewater was found guilty in Walworth County Circuit Court, due to a guilty plea, of Manufacture/Deliver Cocaine (>1-5g), a class F felony, and Possess w/Intent-Cocaine (>15-40g), a class D felony.
Sentence withheld and defendant placed on probation for four (4) years on each count concurrent. Conditions: Nine (9) months conditional release jail time with work release privileges for all purposes to commence on or before May 31, 2022 @ 8:00 a.m. Pay $1000.00 fine plus costs on each count. [Additional charges were read into the record and there were several additional conditions imposed.]
Patrick S. “Chobey” Young, 58, of Fort Atkinson passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2022 after a long battle against pancreatic cancer, at Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center surrounded by his loving family.
Pat was born on May 23, 1963 at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii to Rex and Peggy (Calero) Young. Pat’s father was a career navy officer, so Pat spent a lot of his early years moving to places including Baltimore, Southern California, and Florida. After his father’s retirement, the family now of five moved to Fort Atkinson, where Patrick’s father grew up, as well. After graduating Fort Atkinson High School in 1981, Chobey attended MATC where he received his Associate of Accounting degree. During his time at MATC, he completed the auto body course from 1981 to 1982. Pat was proud to be employed at Burns Industrial Supply for over 30 years and never missed a day of work. He truly enjoyed working with co-workers who turned into family and are now known as “Pat’s Army.”
Patrick was a faithful member at St. Joseph Catholic Church. He is currently the Grand Knight of the Fort Atkinson Knights of Columbus, and the chapter has graciously decided to honor his entire term which ends in June. Previously, Pat served as a Boy Scouts of America Den Leader, and as Cub Master for eight years. During his Boy Scout leadership Pat oversaw all three of his grandsons recognized for the Cub Scout achievement, Arrow of Light. Pat also served on the Fort Fest Committee and Janesville Jaycees. His interests included photography, muscle cars, collecting, time with friends and family, and especially spending time with his grandsons.
Chobey is survived by his daughter, Savanna Young; grandchildren, Davin “DJ” Young of Lake Mills, Drake Pennell of Fort Atkinson, Logan Mills of Fort Atkinson; mother, Peggy (LaVerne) Taylor; sisters, Kathryn (Lisa) Young, Karen (Don) Harden; Niece, Autumn (Michael Meltesen) Harden, step-mother, Marilyn Young; step-daughter, Tami (Anthony) Hill; step-grandchildren, Emmarie Powers-Simms, Aspen Powers-Simms, Makayla Wagie, Christian Wagie; many aunts, uncles, and extended family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his father, Rex Young; infant daughter, Hope Young; step-daughter, Toni Pauline; and good friend, Tony Koch.
The family would like to give a very special thanks to Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center staff for their exceptional care of Pat and for their compassion towards the family. Also, a very special thank you to the Burns Industrial Supply staff for treating Pat like family all the way until the end, and for continuing to support him throughout his battle.
Memorials can be made to the family, to enhance Pat’s grandson’s college funds.
May the 4th, be with our family to celebrate the life of Pat “Chobey” Young at an evening visitation from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Nitardy Funeral Home in Fort Atkinson. Guests are encouraged to wear Star Wars themed attire to the evening visitation, to showcase Pat’s film favorites. A rosary service will begin at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 1 p.m. on May 5, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson. A visitation will take place on May 5, 2022 at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of mass. Guests may attend mass virtually at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/7119704108 . Online condolences can be made at nitardyfuneralhome.com
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The April 19 Common Council meeting was historic, with females becoming the majority membership for the first time. Newly elected Jill Gerber joined continuing members Brienne Diebolt Brown, Carol McCormick and Lisa Dawsey Smith. As if that wasn’t enough, Dawsey Smith was elected president in a 4-3 vote over Jim Allen, who was re-elected as president pro-tem.
Spurred on by the historic happening, City Clerk Michele Smith has recently enjoyed researching newspaper archives regarding females on the Council. She was surprised to discover that the first female, Mathilda Case Fowler, was elected in 1923 and served as Council president. Michele’s surprise is certainly warranted, as is evidenced by the following highlights of the timeline of the women’s suffrage movement as found in an article from the UW-Madison libraries.
1884 – Women were allowed to vote on school matters in Wisconsin, but that right was rescinded by the state Supreme Court in 1888.
1899-1915 – There were no fewer than 21 attempts in the state Assembly and Senate to enfranchise women but each attempt failed.
1901 – The legislature authorized separate school ballots so women are again allowed to vote on school-related issues and offices.
1912 – A women’s suffrage referendum failed in large part due to schisms within the women’s movement and brewery/liquor interests, with 135,736 for and 227,054 against.
1913 – The legislature authorized another referendum but it was vetoed by Governor Francis McGovern.
1915 – Another WI referendum bill was rejected by a more conservative legislature.
1918 – US House passed a federal suffrage amendment to the Constitution, 274 to 136. Eight of ten WI House representatives favored the amendment. The bill failed in the US Senate.
1919 – By this time, 16 US states and 13 countries had granted full suffrage for women. President Wilson called a special session of Congress because “the amendment must pass.” US House passed by 304 to 89. US Senate passed 64 to 29. [By the way, Cokie Roberts, speaking on NPR’s Morning Edition in 2019 said, “the House of Representatives passed the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, thereby acknowledging — not granting — women’s right to vote….We had the right to vote as American citizens. We didn’t have to be granted it by some bunch of guys.”]
June 10, 1919 – WI legislature ratifies national amendment shortly before noon, 24 to 1 in the Senate and 52 to 2 in the Assembly. Illinois ratified a few minutes prior but because of a mistake, it had to be re-ratified on June 17. Wisconsin’s ratification was the first to be received at the State Department.
August 26, 1920 – 19th Amendment fully ratified when Tennessee became 36th state to support it.
As mentioned in the introduction, Whitewater elected its first female councilmember in 1923, only three years after Wisconsin’s women were able to vote in all elections, and Mathilda Case Fowler even served as president. 99 years later, the first majority female Council was elected.
In between those years, Michele Smith provides the following comments:
Bettijane Partridge – served only a couple of months. Then she and her husband relocated as he had a new job. She was a huge proponent about street improvements.
Liz Wright – 1970 – Longtime residents probably remember her East Gate Garden at the corner of Dann and Milwaukee Streets. Quite the historian, she was.
Then Rose Green- I believe it was 1974. Rose was a very big proponent of a Library addition / building. Looks like she might have experienced some of the discrimination of the times.
“So from here forward, the ladies are “modern.” I never dreamed that there would have been a female president in the 1920s. I believe one of the new mayors said electing a woman showed how progressive Whitewater was. Sure enjoying newspapers of the day. Lots more interesting than they are now,” concludes Michele Smith.
– The Council adopted a resolution providing for the sale of approximately $8,350,000 in waterworks and wastewater revenue bonds. The sale is being expedited in hopes of avoiding further escalation in interest rates, which have been climbing this year. The proceeds will pay for projects such as water and sewer pipe replacement in conjunction with the Main Street reconstruction, replacement of a wastewater lift station, and construction of the new water tower.
– Steve Hatton, Finance Director, reported on the financial audit for 2021 which had just been completed. The auditors, Johnson Block & Company, provided what is known as a “clean” audit, representing that they believe the financial statements accurately reflect the city’s financial condition. The general fund had a surplus of $200,900, leaving the city with an unassigned fund balance of $1,827,054, or slightly over the city’s goal to maintain a fund balance equaling 20% of the annual budget. Hotel room tax receipts increased by $150,000 from the previous year, reflecting significantly increased stays generated by the opening of the Fairfield Inn. Ongoing efforts will be focused on the Aquatic Center’s finances, as the center currently has a negative $413,000 operating balance. It had approached an annual break even status before the Pandemic hit.
– Authorized city staff to work with the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department regarding the installation of a radio tower in the city. The county is implementing a major upgrade to its radio system, providing better coverage with ten transmitters instead of the current one. The new system will provide for computer generated voice pages to law enforcement/fire/EMS while the dispatcher obtains further information, and will also allow for 911 cell phone calls to be routed to the proper dispatching unit, rather than always first being directed to the county.
Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC.)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four older adults has a fall each year, and Wisconsin leads the nation in fall-related deaths for people ages 60 and older. The good news is that falls are preventable. The Stepping On program, offered by the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), is a small group, community-based program that has been proven to reduce falls by 31 percent. Stepping On will be held in the Walworth County room on Tuesdays (9 to 11 a.m.) from May 3 to June 14, 2022, at the Walworth County Health and Human Services building, 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn. The workshop has a suggested donation of $10.
In seven weekly, two-hour sessions, Stepping On gives participants strategies for avoiding falls, including balance and strength exercises, home safety check suggestions, medication review, and more. Guest experts, including a physical therapist and pharmacist, visit throughout the seven sessions to provide information and strategies for avoiding a fall. The workshop is designed specifically for people who are age 60 or older, have fallen, and/or have a fear of falling. Participants can expect to leave with improved strength, better balance, and a feeling of confidence and independence.
For questions, or to register for the program, contact Chetney Blaszczyk RDN, CD at (262) 741-3309.
About the ADRC of Walworth County: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and providing options available to meet the needs of your situation. Learn more at www.co.walworth.wi.us/376/Aging-Disability-Resource-Center.
