News

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Residents of the City of Whitewater have an opportunity to have a positive impact on their community as candidates are being sought for three Common Council positions.

The seven-member Common Council has three seats up for election in April with nomination papers due by January 4.

Common Council representation is designed with one individual representing each of five different geographic areas that are elected by just residents of that individual area as well as two “at-large” council members that are elected by a citywide vote. In April voters will elect one of the two at-large members and council representatives for District 2 and 4. Information on district boundaries is available from the City Clerk’s office at (262) 473-0102 or at msmith@whitewater-wi.gov . The City Clerk’s office can also explain the paperwork and circulation of signature requirements which are slightly different for the citywide at-large position than for the individual numbered district spots.

A name that will NOT be appearing on the ballot in April for the first time in 14 years is that of current District 4 member Lynn Binnie. Binnie, the current Common Council president, indicated in November that he had decided not to seek reelection. To date only one potential candidate for District 4, Jill Gerber, has taken out nomination paperwork, which she has completed.

At-large member Jim Allen has taken out nomination paperwork, as has Lukas Scrieber, who was appointed in July to fill a vacancy in District 2. As of December 17, City Clerk Michele Smith indicated that no one else had taken out paperwork for either of those positions.

Any resident interested in serving on the Common Council is encouraged to contact the City Clerk’s office well in advance of the January 4 deadline for submitting nomination papers. Council members are elected for two-year terms beginning in April. Evening meetings are on the first and third Tuesdays of each month and Common Council members also serve on various city boards and commissions that meet less frequently. A stipend of $300 per month is provided to council members.

Elvira Kau writes, “Field & Stream Restoration was burning along the exposed lakebed of Cravath Lake Friday afternoon. Photos were shot south of the park, on the west side of the shoreline opposite the cemetery.”

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Our thanks to Elvira Kau for sharing these timely photos.

Previous posts on the Banner regarding the burn:

Update Dec. 17: Eric Boettcher, city Parks & Recreation Director, told the Banner, “It looks like favorable weather to start the burns on the dried lake bed vegetation on Trippe and Cravath lakes.  Ignition will likely start at 11 a.m. [TODAY, Friday] and end about 3 p.m.  We plan to try and burn Friday and Saturday of this week and Monday through Wednesday of next week. 

Update Dec. 14: Kristin Mickelson, city PR and Communications Manager, told the Banner that it is still hoped that the controlled burn can begin this week; however, it has been delayed due to wind and visibility concerns. No further information is available at this time.

December 9, 2021

Dear City of Whitewater residents,

Between December 13 to December 23, Field & Stream Restorations will conduct prescribed burns on the two lake beds, Trippe and Cravath.  The purpose of the burn is to prepare for the dredging that may occur in 2022 and the subsequent lake refilling.   Prescribed burning is an excellent tool for reducing above-ground biomass (plant material).  

We will start by creating burn breaks (unburnable strips on the ground) around the burn units.  In some cases this may involve mowing and raking vegetation to create nearly bare soil conditions.  We will examine the wind direction and speed to determine the best and safest ignition pattern.  

Field & Stream Restorations is insured and has burned hundreds of acres safely, and will do so at this site.  We employ nationally trained firefighters.  We will be equipped with several types of mobile water sources for fire suppression, including water backpacks , UTV’s, and ATV’s with mounted sprayers.   At no time should you ever feel that your residence is at risk.  We have examined the site and have determined that the necessary fire breaks can be created to burn safely.

For those who live near the lake, on the day of the burn we ask that you do the following for us:

1. Close your windows and doors when not at home and the day of the burn so that smoke does not enter your home.
2. Allow us to do our work uninterrupted, distractions to fire spotters create unnecessary risks.
3. Approach us before you call the fire department.

For more information, call, text, or email Steve Banovetz, Senior Scientist, Field & Stream Restorations, 608-320-2338 or email.  Please also visit the Field and Stream Restorations website. For additional questions, contact Parks and Recreation Director, Eric Boettcher 262-473-0122 or email. 

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

As the Banner previously published, the city of Whitewater announced on December 3 that Police Chief Aaron M. Raap had been placed on paid administrative leave while an internal investigation would be conducted by an outside agency regarding an incident that took place outside the city. “The leave is not considered punitive, rather part of the Whitewater Police Department policy,” the city’s press release stated.

WKOW reported on December 15 that the Waukesha County district attorney had dropped a potential domestic battery case against Raap. Per WKOW, District Attorney Susan Opper released a statement saying, “Please be advised the DA’s office has declined to issue criminal charges due to a lack of evidence to establish that Mr. Raap intended to inflict bodily harm on anyone.”

The city of Whitewater, indicating that it had received a number of media inquiries regarding the status of the internal investigation, stated the following in a press release on December 16: “The procedure is part of a broader effort to maintain the integrity of the organization as a whole, not a criminal investigation. As a result, the internal investigation runs independent from any decisions made by other agencies including
Waukesha County’s District Attorney’s Office and will be completed as soon as possible.”

WKOW’s article quoted City Manager Cameron Clapper as telling them that “a law enforcement officer from an agency other than Whitewater Police and the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department is conducting the personnel investigation for the city of Whitewater. He [Clapper] says Whitewater’s Police and Fire Commission will consider the investigator’s report and decide on Raap’s employment status.”

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the city of Whitewater.

The City of Whitewater and Whitewater Police Department wish their
current police K-9 officer well as he retires from the department.

Tilla, a 5-year-old male, black German Shepherd from the Netherlands was sworn in as the department’s K-9
officer in December of 2018. Tilla graduated from Little Rock K9 Academy after months of training.
Tilla, certified in narcotics detection, tracking lost persons or suspects and apprehension, worked diligently with
his handler, Officer Justin Stuppy for the past three years. Tilla will continue to reside with Stuppy, who is
ending employment with the WPD this week. Tilla will get to stay with his family and enjoy the remainder of his
life retired at home.

Prior to Tilla, Stuppy was also the canine handler for Ruso who sadly passed away in July of 2018. Both Ruso
and Tilla trained with the well-respected Little Rock K-9 Academy.

The City of Whitewater and the WPD thank all citizens and organizations who have worked so diligently to
fundraise and provide financial support for Tilla and K-9 Handler/Officer Stuppy over the years.

WPD anticipates continuing the canine program in 2022

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

Looking for a beautiful poinsettia for the holidays?  Join us this Saturday from 10 a.m. to Noon at the Library during the Whitewater City Market and you can purchase one of the last available Kiwanis poinsettias.  Your purchase will help the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club help the children in Whitewater and the world.  There are just a few left, and you can have one!  Kiwanis members hope to see you Saturday!

Editor’s note: The following emergency alert was published by UW-W on Wednesday, 12/15.

Editor’s note: The following information was received from the Whitewater Unified School District.

Residents of the Whitewater Unified School District are encouraged to consider seeking a position on
the School Board. The final day for filing is Tuesday, January 4, 2022, by 5:00 p.m.

Any person who is a United States citizen and a qualified elector of the Whitewater Unified School District is legally qualified
to become a member of the School Board. In addition, Board candidates should have a genuine interest in and devotion to
public education, a willingness to give time and effort to the position, a capacity to understand people, and the ability to work
cooperatively with others.

The School Board is the District policy-making authority and is responsible to the public for the success of all education
services offered by the District. This success is dependent on many individuals, but also upon each Board member’s
understanding of the workings of the District-wide operations and each member’s ability to participate meaningfully in the
decision-making process that governs the District.

Two positions will be on the spring ballot. The incumbents are Jennifer Kienbaum and Joseph Kromholz. Both candidates
have filed the appropriate paperwork to appear on the spring ballot.

The Board will provide an orientation for Board candidates in order to help them become quickly acquainted with the
election process and Board members’ duties and responsibilities in January. The Superintendent has developed, in
consultation with the Board, a candidate orientation program to be presented by District staff and a Board member
appointed by the Board President.

The candidate filing documents may be obtained and filed at the office of the School Board Secretary at the Whitewater
Unified School District Central Office, 419 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater. School Board candidates do not circulate
nomination papers but the School Board Secretary, Jaclyn Tueting, will assist to complete necessary filing documents.

CENTRAL OFFICE HOURS
Through Wednesday, December 22…………………………………………………………..…….M-Th, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m./ F, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 23 through Friday, December 31…………………………………………………………………………….Central Office Closed
(Friday, December 24 at 5:00 p.m. is the deadline for incumbents to file a Notification of Noncandidacy)
Monday, January 3…………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 4…………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………..……….…….7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
(5:00 p.m. is the deadline for filing candidacy paperwork)

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by UW-W.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will celebrate the achievements of its graduates at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, as proud families and friends gather for the 2021 winter commencement ceremony.

More than 762 students will cross the stage to receive their degrees. The ceremony, which is approximately two hours long and will be presided over by Interim Chancellor Jim Henderson, will be held at Kachel Fieldhouse in the Williams Center. 

This year’s commencement speaker is Ray Jacobsen, a 1976 graduate with a degree in education who believes in the value of mentorships and credits four mentors he has had over the course of his life with much of his success, including famed Coach Willie Myers of the Warhawks wrestling program. After a three-year stint at Brookfield East High School as a teacher and coach, the Fort Atkinson native embarked upon a long career in business, first at Wausau Insurance Co. and then EBI Companies, rising from loss control consultant to regional manager and then CEO at the age of 39. 

The student speaker is Melissa Dix, a liberal studies major who grew up in Rockford, Illinois, and lives in Beloit with her husband Tim and their four children. Dix’s Warhawk family roots go back almost 100 years, when her great aunt attended and graduated in the 1920s. An expert in information technology, she currently works as a lead program instructor at Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville, helping people harness the power of technology to foster connection, creativity and the joy of learning. 

The ceremony will recognize 75 undergraduates from the College of Arts and Communication, 201 from the College of Business and Economics, 172 from the College of Education and Professional Studies and 177 from the College of Letters and Sciences, for a total of 630 undergraduate degrees. The School of Graduate Studies will award 132 degrees, including 119 master’s degrees and 13 doctorates.

The graduating class includes 4 international students, 71 military veterans and 168 nontraditional students, defined as undergraduate students who are 25 years of age or older. In addition, 79 self-identified students with disabilities will receive degrees.

Commencement will be broadcast live online by UWWTV, the university television station. Access to the livestream will be posted at uww.edu/commencement.