News

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

According to a press release issued on July 26 by the Whitewater Police Department, on July 22, 2022 at around 10 p.m., officers of the department responded to E. Clay Street and S. Wisconsin Street for a report of a male with a mental health emergency. The individual, identified as Anthony P. Hansen, 34, of Whitewater, was upon further investigation determined to have been in an ongoing sexual relationship with a minor. It was also found that Hansen was an employee of the Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD).

Whitewater Police Department staff swiftly began an investigation, and are working closely with WUSD staff as the investigation continues. Hansen was arrested, and a charge of Sexual Assault of a Child by a School Staff Person has been forwarded to the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office. It was indicated that additional charges may be forwarded pending results of the investigation. The department did not release any details regarding the nature of the alleged relationship.

The police department expressed thanks to those who came forward to report their concerns, and strongly encouraged others who have information relevant to the case to contact the Whitewater Police Department at 262-473-0555, option 4, or by contacting Detective Jacob Hintz directly at jhintz@whitewater-wi.gov. Anonymous tips may also be shared using P3Tips.com.

In a separate joint statement on July 26, the district and police said that Hansen was an employee in the district’s instructional technology department. “Although we cannot share further details at this time due to the ongoing investigation, the District takes this matter extremely seriously,” the statement said. “We are assisting the Whitewater Police Department’s investigation, and we encourage students and families who need extra support to contact the District for counseling services. Counselors will be available at Whitewater High School in the Student Services Office for any students who need extra support or someone to talk to on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00-3:00.”

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Aging & Disability Resource Centers of Rock County.

The Aging & Disability Resource Centers of Rock County and SW Wisconsin will host former Wisconsin Governor Marty Schreiber, a panel of male caregivers and brunch at the Kelch Aviation Museum, N2463 Airport Road in Brodhead on Thursday August 4^th.  Registration starts at 10 a.m.  Brunch service will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Schreiber, author of My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping and Surviving as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver will provide opening remarks for the group followed by a panel of local male caregivers who will share their stories and lessons learned in caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s or other related dementia.  The panel will be moderated by Tim Harrington, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association, Wisconsin Chapter.

Reports from the National Family Caregiver Association and AARP indicate that upwards of 45% of family caregivers are male.  In addition, the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 2/3s of all those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are women.   Consequently, men will continue to be caregivers in large number.  Statistics also indicate that men are less likely to reach out and ask for help.  Karen Tennyson, dementia care specialist of Rock County, states, “My role is to provide assistance and education to all those in Rock County with a dementia diagnosis and their caregivers.  We want this targeted program to be a step in that process.  I hope this opens more doors for male caregivers to reach out and know they are not alone.”

The program is completely free and will include a brunch from Knute’s.  Attendees are welcome to tour the Kelch Aviation Museum after the program. The museum is open until 4 p.m.  Preregistration is required by July 29th. Please contact Karen Tennyson at 608-741-3615 for more information and to register.

For more information on the dementia care specialist program and services available in Rock County, please contact Karen Tennyson at 608-741-3615 or karen.tennyson@co.rock.wi.us or visit www.co.rock.wi.us/adrc.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Anchor Bible Church.

Vacation Bible School will take place August 1-3 at Anchor Bible Church in Whitewater from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m.

Police and Fire Commission Special Session – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda: Nominations And Potential Approval Of Fire Department
Command Staff Positions and Interview Of Chief Of Police Candidate
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
Community Room- First Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
This will be an IN PERSON MEETING as well as a VIRTUAL MEETING
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/774289949
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: 1 (571) 317-3122
Access Code: 774-289-949

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 6:00 p.m. (Adjourn to closed session)
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street
Agenda includes Resolution Providing for a Referendum Election on the Question of the Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the School District Budget to Exceed Revenue Limit by $4,400,000 Per Year for Four Years for Non-Recurring Purposes 

6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online

• URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84396712435?pwd=Mm1aL21LWDBhdmZRU2hWdlc1RFZhQT09
  Passcode: 954239

• Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
• Webinar ID: 843 9671 2435
  Passcode: 954239
  

7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online (Open Session)

• URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83903883684?pwd=ZzhudWpLaGxYUzB2blBxQTZtSXRjZz09
  Passcode: 586077

• Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
• Webinar ID: 839 0388 3684
  Passcode: 586077

City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Tuesday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Review Fire/EMS Transition Into Municipal Department
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
City Manager’s Conference Room – 2nd Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
This will be a blended meeting. Please join in person at above address or from your
computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/943573557
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: 1 (646) 749-3122
Access Code: 943-573-557

Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
AGENDA
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/83033541274?pwd=T1VaM01KeFUvbUNMRlk5ZHd1QzBJQT09
Passcode: 481880
Or Telephone:
US: 1 301 715 8592
Webinar ID: 830 3354 1274
Passcode: 481880

City of Whitewater Common Council Special Meeting with Whitewater Fire Dept., Inc. – Thursday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Update on Financial Outlook for City as it relates to adoption of
Agreement with Whitewater Fire Dept., Inc. to provide fire and rescue
services, followed by closed and open session Item to be Discussed: Agreement between City of Whitewater and
the Whitewater Fire Department, Inc., relating to fire and rescue services.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building – Community Room
312 W. Whitewater St.
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.

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81667771614?pwd=RHZxRHlNTE4vcXpha3g2M1dBUDNTdz09

Passcode: 264617

Or Telephone:
US: 1 646 931 3860
Webinar ID: 816 6777 1614
Passcode: 264617

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

At a special meeting on July 25 the City of Whitewater Police and Fire Commission unanimously approved the appointment of Daniel “Dan” A. Meyer as police chief, subject to negotiation of salary and benefits with city staff and the approval of the Common Council. Per state statute, the hiring of a police chief is the responsibility of the Police & Fire Commission; however, the Common Council has sole responsibility for approving significant financial matters such as wages. Meyer is currently the deputy chief and has been acting chief since Aaron Raap, who had served as chief since June, 2018, was placed on administrative leave in December, 2021. Raap resigned and retired effective June 30, 2022.

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.

In his current position Meyer is responsible for a wide range of roles, including direct supervision of the captain and the support services manager and oversight of 35 employees. He is the public information officer, manages critical incidents and major events, and coordinates internal and citizen complaint investigations. He has also managed the accreditation process. Last year the department received its seventh accreditation from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group. He is currently vice president of the Wisconsin Police Accreditation Coalition.

“Drive My Car,” the 2022 Oscar winner for Best International Feature Film, will be shown, Tuesday, July 26, 1 p.m., at Seniors in the Park. 

(Drama) Unrated film; 2 hours, 59 minutes (2021). Japanese, shown with English subtitles. Oscar winner for Best International Feature Film 2022. A renowned stage actor and director learns to cope with his wife’s unexpected passing when he receives an offer to direct a production of “Uncle Vanya” at a drama festival in Hiroshima. A taciturn young woman is assigned to chauffeur him in his beloved red Saab 900 Turbo. The New York Times called this “a quiet masterpiece; considers grief, love, work and the soul-sustaining, life-shaping power of art.”

When we moved to Whitewater in 1978, we easily found resources such as grocery stores, hardware stores, our church, and our doctors. In the last five years, I have had to find new resources to help Rich and to protect our assets.

In 2015, Rich and I met with our lawyer and set up a trust. In 2019, Rich was treated at Fort Memorial Hospital for a hernia. The nurse on call suggested that I get an incapacitation letter from his general practitioner. His doctor, who was familiar with his case, agreed to write it and have another doctor sign off. This letter was given to the lawyer and the trust was changed to my having control.

The staff at Rich’s memory care location are involved in the community and connected to the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) that exists in each Wisconsin county. I talked with them as well as the Veterans Administration of Walworth County since Rich is a Vietnam veteran.  These agencies enable families to know what’s available to help them emotionally as well as financially.

Twice a month, a program called Rockin’ Respite occurs at the Living Word church in downtown Whitewater where caregivers can drop off their loved ones for activities and lunch.  The activity is held two Tuesdays a month from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.  Masie can answer questions about respite care by emailing her at masieallie@yahoo.com.  Also a Memory Cafe social hour takes place at Whitewater’s Library; it is rotated among several libraries (Whitewater, Jefferson, Palmyra, and Fort Atkinson).  For more information, contact Suzanne at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library—(262) 473-0530.  She also wanted me to share that with your library card, you can check out activity kits to keep your loved one occupied.  Helpful presentations about dementia can be found online, on YouTube and sometimes in person.  A nationally-known dementia trainer, popular and entertaining speaker Teepa Snow presented at Young Auditorium to an audience of about 400 in June. 

Finally I cannot say enough good things about hospice. After being approved by a doctor, Rich now has a new bed, a Broda wheelchair, a Hoyer lift, and a shower chair. Each week a nurse visits him and emails me her report. Also, an aide gives him a shower twice a week.  Medicare covers these expenses.

Thank you for letting me share how our idyllic retirement has been derailed by dementia.  During this time, you find out who your true friends are and how wonderful a community can be! Please contact me at jamesm@uww.edu if you want to continue the conversation.

-Marcia James

This article is submitted by Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, a program of Whitewater Seniors in the Park.  
https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/273/Seniors-In-the-Park

More resources for caregivers:
https://teepasnow.com/resources/pac-videos-about-dementia/
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/memory-forgetfulness-and-aging-whats-normal-and-whats-not

Retired, local, American Red Cross (ARC) volunteer coordinator, Jeanine Fassl, began donating her 21^st gallon of whole blood at the American Red Cross Blood Drive held Friday, July 22 at the Cravath Lakefront Center. She is seen here with the certificate and 20-gallon pin that honored her previous donation this past March.

Jeanine had been an active Red Cross Blood Drive volunteer since the Whitewater Jaycettes began assisting Arlene Newhouse, who then coordinated the drive. In 1979 Jeanine became Whitewater’s ARC local coordinator in charge of procuring up to 57 volunteers including nurses, EMTs, registrars, donor room aides, segmentors, canteen staff, churches to make and serve food and drivers to bring the collected blood up to the Madison Red Cross processing center. Serving with ARC was one of her passions, as she honored the memory of her mother, Clara, who passed away in 1979 from acute onset adult leukemia. Jeanine spent over 25 years with the local drive.

Human blood is one of the rare components of the body that cannot be duplicated in a lab. There is always a need, as someone gets a blood transfusion EVERY 3 MINUTES in this country! Please consider donating soon! Visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Our thanks to Jeanine Fassl for sharing this achievement and important request.

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