News

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

A representative from TDS Telecom (TDS) announced at the September 6 meeting of the Whitewater Common Council that the company has plans to bury a 56 mile digital fiber network that would allow it to serve 98% of the city with internet, television, and phone service. TDS, headquartered in Madison, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems Inc, and is the seventh-largest local exchange carrier in the U.S., serving approximately 1100 cities. US Cellular is another of the subsidiaries. The majority of the company, which was founded in 1969, is still owned by the Carlson family.

TDS intends to install a network that it considers to be “future proof.” It is claimed that fiber is virtually immune to interference and doesn’t falter under extreme weather conditions. Symmetrical internet speeds for residential start at 300 MB x 300 MB and are offered up to ultra-fast 2Gig. Up to 10Gig is dedicated to business customers. Ultimately the fiber will potentially be capable of providing 20 to 100Gig as electronic components above ground are upgraded. Spectrum is currently the only residential high speed broadband and cable TV provider in the city. It does not have a fiber network here. According to Spectrum’s website, its current maximum internet speed is 1Gig.

No timeline for construction and introduction of service was provided by TDS. Next steps include requests for proposals, signing of a franchise agreement with the city, and architectural design. It was acknowledged that inconveniences will be resulting from the construction, but the representative indicated that the company is committed to safety and to prompt resolution of complaints. Connections to service would be offered on an area by area basis as the installation proceeds. TDS recently built out a fiber network in Sun Prairie, with population over 35,000, in 16 months. Installation of a fiber network is currently underway in Janesville.

No information was given regarding the pricing for the services. It was claimed that within a matter of weeks residents and businesses will be able to enter their address into a website in order to get an estimate for when service is expected to be available, and may even be able to sign on to a waiting list.

Winchester True Value Hardware is the oldest operating business in Whitewater, WI, serving the community and surrounding area for over 152 years. Forty-six years ago, Steve Johnson began working at Winchester True Value Hardware, while attending the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Three years after graduating Steve purchased the store and began his dream of running his own hardware store.

Steve’s heritage is rooted in the hardware business, growing up and working in his parents’ family business, the Village True Value Hardware in Western Springs, IL. Combining the business acumen learned at UWW and skills and knowledge acquired at his family business, Steve applied it to Winchester True Value Hardware, expanding the business into the successful enterprise it is today.

Under Steve’s leadership and direction, the business outgrew the downtown location and moved in 1995 to its current location, 1415 W. Main Street. The store expanded in every product category, and added a rewards program, full rental program, and a greenhouse. To the delight of the customer base, the store began selling chicks every spring.

As Steve and the business grew, his team grew with him with many working side-by-side for decades. Steve and his team offer product knowledge, repair insights, and hands-on assistance. As a pillar in the community, Steve and his team have made lifelong friends among the large customer base, counting these customer relationships built as the true measure of success. As an active participant in the community, Winchester True Value provides many philanthropic services to the community to support fundraisers and community events, as well as the University, local high schools and numerous other organizations including the Lions Club, churches, farmers market, and boy and girl scouts.

After serving as its owner/manager for 42 years, Steve is pleased to report that Winchester True Value Hardware has been purchased by Niemann Foods, Inc. (NFI), and will continue as a hardware and rental location. NRI is an associate-owned company whose retail establishments include several Ace hardware stores in the greater Madison area. Though it is not known whether the Whitewater store will continue to bear the Winchester name, it will change to the Ace brand.

“I sincerely thank all of our customers and employees for their business and their loyalty,” stated Steve. “As I contemplated retirement, I wanted to be sure that the Winchester True Value’s legacy that has been built over the last 152 years continues with an organization that values community and its people. I look forward to retirement knowing that the Winchester True Value is in good hands.”

Steve Johnson told the Banner that the last day of operation under his ownership is this Friday, September 9. Meanwhile all “private label” merchandise is being offered at 50% off. These are items that indicate they are distributed by the True Value company, which may be shown in fine print. The store will be closed on Saturday, and is expected to reopen under the Ace name on Sunday. Steve indicates that he’s looking forward to having more time for bicycling in the city and surrounding areas.

Editor’s note: We appreciate that Steve Johnson provided most of this article for The Banner.

Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States. The three-day weekend it falls on is called Labor Day Weekend.

Beginning in the late 19th century, as the trade union and labor movements grew, trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate labor. “Labor Day” was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, which organized the first parade in New York City. In 1887, Oregon was the first state of the United States to make it an official public holiday. By the time it became an official federal holiday in 1894, thirty states in the U.S. officially celebrated Labor Day.

Canada’s Labour Day is also celebrated on the first Monday of September. More than 80 countries celebrate International Workers’ Day on May 1, the ancient European holiday of May Day. May Day was chosen by the Second International of socialist and communist parties to commemorate the Haymarket affair, which occurred in Chicago on May 4, 1886.

Source: Wikipedia

The Banner appreciates the use on the homepage of the image by ilham arief from Pixabay.

Updated on 9/5/22 @ 2 p.m. to add that bulk collection also occurs this week.

The Dang-Its is a four piece band founded in 1998 whose tag line, “Western Swing, Honky Tonk, & Americana,” barely begins to describe the range of styles that comprise their repertoire. Folk, country, blues, Cajun, bluegrass, classic country, rockabilly, country swing, and more. Thursday, September 8 @ 7:00 p.m., Cravath Lakefront Park

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes introduction of Interim City Manager John Weidl; report on library addition fundraising efforts; update by police chief on increase in new members to the community, opportunities to connect with new members, and safety issues; presentation from representatives of TDS relating to installation of fiber in community; recreational fire regulations in community and discussion and possible direction regarding its effect on B-2 district; hours of operation for Bird scooters; status of ride share program; golf cart use on city streets; and possible sale of land near roundabout to City Lumber. Editor’s note: We have reported to the city that there appears to be an issue with the agenda that is posted on the city website.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building – Community Room
312 W. Whitewater St.
This will be an IN PERSON and a VIRTUAL MEETING. (not in person).
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88492493591?pwd=b21zSHRIYUFBaUhpZ2FPcXIxcmJqdz09
Passcode: 138910
Or Telephone:
1 877 853 5257 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 884 9249 3591
Passcode: 138910

The City of Whitewater – Department of Public Works would like to
announce an event sponsored by Protect Wisconsin Waterways. This event will be held at Cravath Lakefront
Park (341 S. Fremont St.) on Saturday, September 17, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Protect Wisconsin
Waterways wants you to learn the impact of stormwater on our waterways.

Residents of Whitewater (a member of the Rock River Stormwater Group) are encouraged to take an active
role to help better their community by joining the annual clean-up of the Rock River and its tributaries. This
event is part of the Protect Wisconsin Waterways campaign to spread awareness of what individuals can do to
help protect their local lakes and rivers.

Protect Wisconsin Waterways has run this event since 2016, and each year the total effort can remove over
fifty bags of trash and litter from and around our lakes and rivers. Objects as small as cans, bottles, and
wrappers, as well as large tires, traffic cones, and PVC pipes, have been removed from our local waterways.
Our waterways are home not only to a bounty of wildlife, but are also the place where we fish, boat, kayak, and
swim.

Discover how you can help protect Wisconsin’s waterway around us and make it an even more enjoyable place
for everyone. More information can be found at https://protectwiwaterways.org/2022cleanup/. Please help us
keep our local waterways clean! Also, like us on Facebook at Protect Wisconsin Waterways.