News

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

The City of Whitewater has been without a “non-interim” police chief since December 3, 2021 when former chief Aaron Raap was placed on administrative leave following an arrest in which he was ultimately not charged. However, an investigation conducted for the city by an outside police officer took months to complete. Raap resigned and retired effective June 30, 2022. Deputy Chief Daniel “Dan” A. Meyer has served as interim chief since December. He certainly did not expect to wear that title for over eight months, but “interim” was officially removed from his title on the evening of August 16 when the Common Council unanimously approved an employment agreement with him. Meyer had been approved as chief by the Police and Fire Commission on July 25, with all that remained being for his salary and benefits to be approved by the council.

Meyer’s annualized salary will start at $102,800. It was indicated that the car that had been assigned to the previous chief is of greater benefit to the department if made available to all members of the command staff for use while on duty. Consequently a transportation stipend is included in the agreement. The agreement does not specify a term and provides that the chief may resign with 60 days notice. The Police and Fire Commission may terminate the chief for cause at any time.

Meyer graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2009 from UW-Platteville with a B.S. in Criminal Justice, with minors in psychology and Spanish. There he was a four year letter winner in track and field. The same year he graduated from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Academy. Meyer joined the Whitewater Police Department as a patrol officer in January of 2010. He served as a detective from January 2013 to August, 2014. Meyer then rose through the ranks as follows: Detective Sergeant, August, 2014; Detective Lieutenant, September, 2015; Captain, November, 2015, and Deputy Chief, April, 2019. Meyer earned an M.S. in Public Administration, with a criminology and criminal justice specialization from University of Nebraska – Omaha in 2019. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve in 2020 after eight years of service.

Editor’s note: The image on the homepage “Water Well” by “Caveman Chuck” Coker is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0. It probably wasn’t taken in Wisconsin!

(ELKHORN, WI): Caring for someone with an injury or illness, such as dementia, cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, or stroke, can be physically, emotionally, and financially demanding. It’s important for caregivers to take time for self-care, and the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center’s (ADRC) Powerful Tools for Caregivers workshop will help them do just that. This educational series is designed to provide caregivers with the tools they need to take care of themselves while caring for a loved one. The program helps family caregivers meet other local caregivers and share their experiences while providing the tools to help them reduce stress, improve self-confidence, improve communication, balance their lives, increase their ability to make tough decisions, and locate helpful resources.

The class consists of six sessions held once a week. There will be onsite respite care, available at no cost, for the caregiver’s loved one during this workshop. The program is facilitated by experienced class leaders, many of whom are caregivers themselves and have successfully applied the techniques they teach. Interactive lessons, discussions, and brainstorming will help caregivers take the tools they learn and put them into action in their lives.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers will be held on Mondays, 1 to 3 p.m., September 12, 2022, to October 17, 2022, in the Observatory room at the Walworth County Health and Human Services Building, 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn. The workshop has a suggested donation of $10.

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.

(ELKHORN, WI): Wisconsin Educators Association (WEA) insurance members will be losing their health insurance as of December 31, 2022. To assist WEA members with this transition, the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will host a meeting on Thursday, September 15^th from 1 to 2 p.m. to discuss available options and provide information.

WEA’s decision to exit the group health insurance program affects approximately 154 beneficiaries in Walworth County. WEA has sent letters to members notifying them of the loss of coverage and the need to choose a new plan to supplement their Medicare coverage for 2023. WEA members will be required to take action to find a new insurance company that will accept them into a supplemental plan. There is also the option of enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan.

“This change will affect most of the retired educators that taught in Wisconsin,” says Elder Benefit Specialist Julie Juranek. “Many of these individuals have not had to worry about the status of their Medicare supplement for decades.”

The ADRC of Walworth County will be hosting the meeting at the Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services, 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn, WI. Attendees will be provided with non-biased options and contact information for other insurance companies and Medicare Advantage Plans available for Walworth County residents. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions of the Walworth County Elder Benefit Specialist. If you have questions about this program, contact Julie Juranek at the Aging and Disability Resource Center at (262) 741-3366.

WHITEWATER–August 11th, 2022– The Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon, 5K, and W3 Fit Kid Shuffle is excited to unveil a brand new race course for its 10th anniversary celebration, which showcases the beautiful scenery of Whitewater more than ever before.

The DWS 10th Anniversary race is set to be held on Sunday, September 18th, 2022. Its course highlights some of Whitewater’s greatest features, including local landmarks and picturesque landscape. Originally, the DWS team had planned to incorporate the same race course that was used previously. However, due to supply source disruptions on road construction, the original course route needed to be altered.

The new race features even more scenery than before, running along a local bike path near the Water’s Edge Apartment complex. Keeping runners’ safety and expectations in mind, the DWS team guarantees that the half marathon course will once again be certified by the USA Track and Field.

“Once we realized that the road construction would not be complete on time, we started working closely with the Police, Public Works, and the Recreation Departments to come up with an alternate plan,” said DWS Executive Director, Jeff Knight. “In the end, we all believe the new course will be more scenic and one that everyone will love.”

The DWS team is incredibly thrilled to be able to offer a new and unique perspective of the Whitewater community. With this new race course, it will be able to celebrate the 10th year anniversary in a safe and exciting way. To register for the DWS and find out more about the new course, visit https://RunWhitewater.com/.

About the DWS

The goal of the DWS is to promote the City of Whitewater and highlight its greatest features. The DWS partners with the city, business community, university, and the school district to make this a tremendous event that benefits all who participate. For more information about the race visit runwhitewater.com. For general race inquiries, email info@runwhitewater.com.

FORT ATKINSON – Fort HealthCare (FHC) Orthopaedics is honored to receive a High-
Performing rating from U.S. News & World Report. Over 6,000 hospitals were evaluated, and
only 694 received a High-Performing rating in this category.

The rating is compiled by various quality indicators, such as patient experience, survival, board
certified physicians, and more. Fort HealthCare received a 5/5, the highest possible rating,
performing significantly better than the national average.

Matthew Bliss, MD, Isidoro Zambrano, MD, and Paul Schuppner, DO, board-certified
orthopaedic surgeons, comprise the expert team at Orthopaedic Associates. They provide
prevention through education, therapy, surgical treatment, and rehabilitation services. The
Center for Joint Replacement, in collaboration with FHC’s Therapy & Sport Center, provides a
comprehensive care program customized to the patient.

To learn more, visit forthealthcare.com/clinic/fort-healthcare-orthopedic-associates/.

Board of Trustees Irvin L. Young Memorial Library – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes accessibility review report.
Community Room
431 W. Center Street
This will be a hybrid in-person and virtual meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81920780404?pwd=TmtJL2paL1R4cnNYdmFwb0cvTzBhdz09
Meeting ID: 819 2078 0404
Passcode: SkRdefC3
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,81920780404#,,,,30034256# US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,81920780404#,,,,30034256# US (Chicago)
Dial
1 312 626 6799 US

Meeting ID: 819 2078 0404
Passcode: 30034256

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes update on lakes drawdown project, agreement for Interim City Manager, approval of employment agreement with newly appointed Police Chief, resolution authorizing referendum question for November election, discussion regarding extension of hours for Bird scooters.
This will be an IN PERSON and a VIRTUAL MEETING.
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84843608011?pwd=MUFUdmdiK09SVE4vamVIUUZNdnY1Zz09
Passcode: 821976
Or Telephone:
Dial 1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 848 4360 8011
Passcode: 821976

City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes High School Closed Campus And WAFC Discussion
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
Cravath Lakefront Room- 2nd Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2219259222
Meeting ID: 221 925 9222
Dial
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 221 925 9222

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes offer to purchase property at 206 E. Cravath St., Discussion regarding Economic Development Director position, and Discussion and possible direction regarding request from Blue Line Battery, Inc. to alter the terms of a Secured Promissory Note Dated July 12, 2017 as amended and restated as of January 30, 2018 evidencing a $64,614 Capital Catalyst Loan.
Location: Municipal Building – Community Room 1st Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
This will be an IN-PERSON and VIRTUAL MEETING
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/84360756548?pwd=Y05OZTgyekdCcVFXbFdJRXBzTjM3QT09
Passcode: 601302

Or Telephone:
US: 1 301 715 8592
Webinar ID: 843 6075 6548
Passcode: 601302

Editor’s note: This post was updated at 12:45 p.m. on 8/15/22 to add the CDA meeting.

FORT ATKINSON – Fort HealthCare is proud to share that Fort Memorial Hospital, Fort Atkinson, WI was named one of only 429 hospitals in the country to achieve an overall 5-Star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the 2022 Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings. The more stars earned, the better a hospital performed on quality measures. Fort Memorial Hospital received the highest possible rating of 5-Stars.

For more information, go to https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/rankings-and-ratings/429-hospitals-with-5-stars-from-cms-2022.

The star rating is compiled by measures across five areas of quality including mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. Patients can use these ratings to compare hospitals and provide more information when making decisions about care.

To view area healthcare STAR ratings, go to https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/#search.