News

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

In a letter to the city manager dated April 1, Municipal Judge Patrick Taylor tendered his resignation effective June 1. Taylor, who has served for five years, indicated that his wife, Grace Crickette, “has taken a position as vice president of her alma mater, the University of Redlands in California, and I must follow her there.”

Taylor added, “Many thanks to my staff, Beatriz Aranda and Mike Ciardo, for their support and guidance. I am also grateful for the participation of WUSD high school and middle school administrators who wholeheartedly accepted my invitation to be active participants, as well as Walworth County Health and Human Services professionals who provide needed services beyond the significant capabilities of the schools. It was also a privilege to work with the city attorney and witness the professionalism of the WPD as few people can.”

“Preparation, understanding, impartiality, and creative resolutions are among the keys to successfully administrating community justice and are prerequisites to steering lives onto a more constructive path. To my successor I would suggest adopting this philosophy and an inclusive 360-degree approach, and never underestimate the positive effect you can make. I will be available to assist as needed. Above all, I am exceptionally grateful to this community filled with kind, thoughtful and generous people. It has been an honor and privilege to serve you.”

Per a state statute, the Chief Judge of the Judicial Administrative District may designate another municipal judge…until the municipal governing body fills the vacancy…The power of appointment by the Chief Judge is limited to 90 days…” John Weidl, city manager, placed discussion of the subject on the council agenda for April 16, obviously presuming that the council would prefer to make a timely appointment rather than relying on an outside temporary designation. He provided a proposed schedule “designed to ensure the seamless integration of the new appointee with the outgoing judge, facilitating an effective onboarding period before June.” Weidl suggested establishing a deadline for applications of April 30, with vetting of the candidates to occur at the May 7 council meeting. Alternatively he proposed the possibility of calling a special meeting to expedite the process, with the hope that the incoming judge might be able to attend the New Municipal Judge Orientation hosted by the Wisconsin Judicial Education division of the Director of State Court’s Office. This orientation will take place in Appleton from May 7-10. Weidl’s view is that the city’s “prompt identification and appointment of the new judge could significantly benefit from this educational opportunity, ensuring a well-prepared judiciary to serve our community.”

The state statute specifies that ultimately a special election should be held, and Weidl suggests that this be scheduled as part of the November election, indicating that the winner will serve out the remainder of the original term that expires in May 2027.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week, we feature a mid-20th century postcard of the Starin Park Community Building in its original form.

In the 1930s, funding for a community building was started in Whitewater, but due to the financial hardships of the Great Depression, the effort was slow. In 1936, the federal government expanded its work program for the unemployed under the Works Progress Administration or WPA and began to help fund community projects. The Starin Park Community Building benefited from this program and the building was completed by July of 1936. The architect of the building designed it as a somewhat “rustic” lodge, a popular style for park buildings at the time. It has been enlarged and remodeled and has served the community for over 80 years as a general-purpose community center and as a Senior Center.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(2290PC, Whitewater Historical Society)

Whitewater’s chapter of FBLA traveled to Green Bay this past weekend to compete at the state competition. Members participated in leadership seminars as well as rounds of competition in various events. While there, they were also able to tour Lambeau Field and other local businesses.

Three members were able to advance to the national level. These members were Jared Apgar in Word Processing, and Ghati Binagi and Alexandra Meyer in Broadcast Journalism.

Article and Photos Submitted by Alex Meyer
Whitewater High School FBLA Member
bwest@wwusd.org

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

Updated 4/12 @ 11 a.m. – Per their website, hours are 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., seven days a week.

Starbucks new store, located in front of Walmart, opened on April 11. As of 7 p.m. there was a sign on the door stating, “Our drive-thru is open. We have temporarily closed our in-store cafe, but our drive-thru remains open….Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience.” Hours for the store were not posted. Twelve cars were in the drive-thru. There is seating both inside and outside.

According to a sign in the drive-thru, all customers are now allowed to provide their own clean personal cup in exchange for a ten cent discount. Per a January 3, 2024 article on NBC Chicago, beginning on that date the policy was in effect at many of their stores. “The coffee company said it was motivated to offer this due to the fact that the majority of Starbucks beverages are enjoyed “on-the-go.” It also said it gives customers the opportunity to choose reusable products and supports Starbucks’ commitment to reduce waste by 50 percent by 2030.” Starbucks’ website indicates that customers need to tell the barista when they order that they brought their own cup. “Baristas will collect customers’ personal cup without the lid using a contactless vessel to ensure hygiene and safety. The beverage will be returned the same way,” the website states.

Photos and story courtesy of Tom Ganser.

The Whitewater Middle School Players production of “Far Fetched Fairytales” opens on Thursday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Whitewater High School James M. Stewart Auditorium, with additional performances on Friday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 13 at 2:00 p.m.

General admission tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. (April 11 is pay what you can night.) All show tickets can be purchased at the door on the day of the event.

Prior to each performance, photos will be shown from the Whitewater Middle School productions of “Guys & Dolls” (2019), “Shrek” (2021), and “Seussical” (2022).

Invest in our work to prevent homelessness in the Whitewater community by supporting our 2nd Annual Spring Raffle Fundraiser!

All event proceeds will directly support our transitional housing & emergency financial assistance programs.

Our 1st Annual Spring Raffle in 2023 raised $9,525 in support of our work to keep local children & families housed.  

THANK YOU to all who supported the event!

By Sherry Stanek, chair
Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission

Whitewater’s effort at developing an arboretum in Whitewater, which is a living classroom that explains the importance of trees to all of us, and importantly, OUR importance to them, is making steady progress! After receiving national recognition and certification as an Arboretum in 2021, the 2022 DNR Urban Forestry Grant was approved to begin planting trees in earnest. This part of the work has been completed with the planting of more than 200 trees and shrubs at Starin Park, and Whitewater has been approved by the DNR to now receive the $25,000 reimbursement from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources!

This project, undertaken largely by community volunteers with strong support and contributions from the Whitewater Parks and Recreation Department and the Wisconsin DNR Urban Forestry Department and especially Public Works staff, was launched in early spring 2022. The $25,000 reimbursement from the DNR reflects the department’s share of developmental costs. Part of the grant required native trees to also be planted on private property. This was accomplished by the establishment of the annual Whitewater Community Tree Sale which will be held this year on April 26 from 11-6, April 27 from 8 to 4 and on April 28 from noon to 4. As a result of this work, more than 500 native trees have been planted throughout the park and wider community in the last couple of years!!

This project was also generously supported by local businesses and individual donors, including the Coburn family’s donation to erect educational signage in the arboretum. The first of these signs are now installed in the Generac Welcome and Education Center pavilion on Starin Road. These signs need to be seen in person to truly appreciate how beautiful they are, and how much information is located on them. We are very grateful to the Coburn family for making them a reality! They provide a beautiful and informative entry point to the Arboretum at Starin Park. More signage will follow in the months and years to come.

This effort is primarily volunteer supported. Individuals who may be interested in joining us are encouraged to contact the city Parks and Recreation Department’s Director Kevin Boehm at 262-473-0122. Cash contributions are always needed as are volunteers interested in watering and weeding to maintain the planting beds and to work at the annual Tree Sale. Cash contributions are managed by City of Whitewater staff and 100% of your contribution goes toward Arboretum development efforts. We are also looking for volunteers to serve on the Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission which meets on the 4th Monday of each month at City Hall at 4:30 p.m. If this interests you, please go to the City website to apply electronically. We’re looking forward to meeting you!

Congratulations to the four Whitewater High School students who have been selected to perform with the Wisconsin School Music Association Honors Ensembles. Dante Baker will perform in the Honors Orchestra. Charlotte Hajewski will sing in the Honors Treble Choir. A’lani Ross and Alexander Clarksen will sing in the Honors Mixed Choir.  For the 2024 High School State Honors Music Project, almost 1,500 auditions were registered for 429 positions in five ensembles.   Selection identifies a student as one of Wisconsin’s finest high school musicians.  All students will attend the Honors Project camp in Green Bay this summer and perform in concert at the Overture Center in Madison in October. Thank you to the Whitewater Music Boosters for sponsoring these students! 

Editor’s note: The above announcement was submitted by Karen Tordera.