News & Events

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

In the November 5 election Whitewater resident and three-term Common Council member Brienne Brown, a Democrat, was successful in her second attempt to win a seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Benefitting from the composition of a new District 43, Brown beat District 33 incumbent Scott L. Johnson by a vote of 16,553 to 15,712. Johnson’s current district, which he has served for two years, includes the Jefferson County portion of the city. Brown will represent the entire city of Whitewater, plus the towns of Richmond, Cold Spring, Johnstown, Lima, Milton, and Fulton, as well as the city of Milton and a very small portion of Janesville. Brown will be installed in January.

Brown issued the following statement in response to her election:

“I am thankful for the trust placed in me by the voters of Assembly District 43. It will be an honor to represent all of you.

Thank you to the campaign volunteers who worked tirelessly across the district to bring about this result. I will work just as tirelessly to be the advocate you deserve in the Assembly. 

I want to acknowledge Representative Johnson’s service in government and wish him well.”

Story and photos by Tom Ganser

There is no better way to bring musical theater joy to the holiday season than by enjoying a performance of the Whitewater High School Players production of Irving Berlin’s classic “White Christmas” Nov. 21-23 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. in the James M. Stewart Auditorium at Whitewater High School.

General tickets ($7 for students and $10 for adults) are available at the box office one hour before the performance. For more information, contact the box office at 262-472-8178.

Prior to curtain opening, Tom Ganser’s photos of the WHS Players productions of “Footloose” (2021), “Beauty and the Beast” (2022), and “Mean Girls” (2023) will be shown.

Based on the 1954 holiday classic film “White Christmas” this uplifting family musical revolves around two buddies, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis. After World War II, they become a popular song-and-dance duo, and they decide to help their former commanding general by putting on a show at his struggling Vermont inn. Along the way, they meet two talented sisters, Betty and Judy Haynes, and love blossoms during the holiday season. 

“White Christmas” is a festive celebration of romance, friendship, and the magic of Christmas.

Under the artistic direction of Jim McCulloch, musical direction of Liz Elliott, choreography by Tatum Atkins, and costumed by Sarah Vincent-Dunham, cast members include: Ian Agen, Jocelyn Alcala, Chacha Binagi, Payton Bunger, Ayden Clark, Alex Clarksen, Peyton Comfort, Esteban Diaz, David Enns, Georgia Esch, Vivian Harris, Nina Heim, Haley Keltesch, Ameera Lin, Ash Miethke, Genevieve Miranda, Virginia Nelson, Sam Nickelsburg, Sophia Noonan, Kai Peterson, Haleigh Pond, Jesus Ramirez, Lia Ramirez, Julian Rennells, A’lani Ross, Josie Selby, Taylor Speerbrecher, Alex Sullivan, Jaylynn Traxler, and Ava Van Daele.

Bringing set construction and backstage magic to the production under the guidance of  Kat Dunham are Caitlin Alford, Isabella Cohen, Laken De Porter, Erison Dreksler, Emerson Dunham, Calli Hartzheim, Taiya Kolb, Angel Kigar, Isabelle Lavertu, Kara Long, Miles Nickelsburg, Ava Nygren, Joshua Nygren, Sam Raupp, Cora Schimming, Kendra Serrano, Lucille Troxel, and Samantha Van Daele.

Adding sparkle to the production by the pit band musicians under direction of Sam Averill are Dante Baker, Anne Coburn, Isabella Cohen, Jay Downs, Justin Kamp, Isabelle Lavertu, Melina Palmer-Flintrop, Nathan Roley, Piper Tevis, Sami Van Daele, and Willow Vogelzang.

The important and lasting powerful impact of being part of a Whitewater theatrical production on students is easy to underestimate, but very evident.

Chacha Binagi, WHS junior, said, “Phil Davis is my first lead singer role. In summer and previous fall shows, I’ve been given named supporting roles, but still considered a member of ensemble. It hasn’t been easy, learning harder dances and more lines, but it’s definitely been fun. I’ve liked doing more and it isn’t too hard as long as I put effort into it.”

He added, “I like how much Phil Davis dances, and how he’s charming and funny. Through this show, I’ve learned that you will never know how hard something is or how hard someone has it until you live through it.”

WHS freshman Jaylynn Traxler has been a valued part of past Whitewater productions.  Regarding her experiences as a member of the crew in “White Christmas,” she shared, “I would have to say when being in this musical you have to have a lot of time management and being able to be negotiable. When facing challenges that randomly pop up through the musical extra rehearsals or different time changes, you have to be able to be there when you can and be negotiable with the director.”

Considering the value of what she’s has learned, Traxler added, “This also relates to when you get a job or when you go to college when you have to have time management to get to your job on time or talking to a professor so all of it is really important.”

“If I don’t step up on a stage again I will always have these skills that theater has taught me.”

Start your holiday season by surprising a friend or neighbor with the gift of a ticket to “White Christmas.”

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to be Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Milwaukee Ald. and Former State Rep. Jonathan Brostoff  MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #242 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Fri., Nov. 8, 2024, in honor of Milwaukee Ald. and former Wisconsin State Rep. Jonathan Brostoff, who passed away on Mon., Nov. 4, 2024. “Jonathan’s passing is a tragedy to all who knew him and for the many whose lives have been bettered because of his service and advocacy. As a legislator, Jonathan was always eager to seek the good in others, always working in earnest to bridge divides and bring people together of different backgrounds and perspectives,” said Gov. Evers in a statement released shortly after former Rep. Brostoff’s passing.  “There are few who advocate as zealously and tenaciously as Jonathan did for the people and causes he cared about. Whether it was supporting the Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard-of-Hearing community, increasing shared revenue, expanding access to mental health services, or any of the many other issues he focused on, Jonathan fully devoted himself to the work and was relentless in pursuing the change he believed in. “Like so many, Kathy and I are shocked and saddened by Jonathan’s passing, and we are keeping his wife, Diana, their four young kids, their families and friends, and all those who knew and loved Jonathan close to our hearts. We lost him far, far too soon.” Former Rep. Brostoff was born in Milwaukee and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in political science. He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2014, where he represented the 19th Assembly District until 2022. During his four terms in office representingAssembly District 19, former Rep. Brostoff served on notable committees such as the Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care, the Committee on Mental Health, and the Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform. Former Rep. Brostoff was also a staunch advocate for the Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard-of-Hearing community and authored legislation that aimed to address the shortage of sign language interpreters in Wisconsin. Following his time in the Assembly, in November 2022, former Rep. Brostoff was elected to serve the 3rd District of the Milwaukee Common Council, championing issues like pedestrian safety and bike lane accessibility as well as sustainability. In addition to his years of public service as an elected official, former Rep. Brostoff was also known to spend his time volunteering at a local youth shelter and at the Maryland Avenue Montessori School, as well as remaining active with the Milwaukee Public Allies program, for which he was an alumnus, and Dryhootch, a non-profit focused on peer support and services for veterans.  Services for former Rep. Brostoff will be held on Fri., Nov. 8, 2024, in Milwaukee.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s image is from the Scholl Collection of glass-plate negatives from the turn of the 20th century. It is a view of a sorghum mill processing sorghum stems, a common activity in the fall during the 19th and early twentieth centuries. Sorghum is a highly nutritious grain with seeds, that when dried, make a gluten-free flour. The long stems hold a sweetish liquid that can be boiled into a sweet syrup. It was used in the past as an economical sweetener and, during World War II, a substitute for rationed sugar. The photograph shows stems of the sorghum plant in a press, powered by a draft horse, extracting the liquid. In the background is a shed with a working stove, probably heating sorghum liquid down into a syrup. 

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

(2881GP, Whitewater Historical Society)

Dear Whitewater Residents, Taxpayers, and Community Members,

As budget approval season kicks off, I want to share some important updates on Whitewater’s proposed 2025 budget, set to be reviewed and discussed by our City Council. This Thursday marks the first Council-level discussion of the proposed budget, and I’d like to provide some context around one of the more significant changes shaping our approach.

One of the critical adjustments for 2025 is our transition from the ETF (Employee Trust Fund), the state-sponsored health insurance program available to local government employees and educators across Wisconsin. Beginning this year, we have adopted a self-funded health insurance model supported by a stop-loss insurance policy to limit risk. This change allows employees to keep their current providers. It offers zero-deductible, zero out-of-pocket options within a preferred care provider (PCP) network while also projecting to reduce health insurance premiums by approximately $250,000 annually. Before this, our health insurance costs had been rising between 20% and 40% over the last two years, depending on the network employees were in, making it clear we needed to find a better solution. 

I want to thank the City staff who researched 11 different options to help us arrive at this self-funded approach, which we hope will bring more stability and affordability to our health coverage. However, these savings are only estimates, and prudent financial management requires that we validate them before making any long-term commitments.

Evaluating How to Manage Health Insurance Reserves

Considering these anticipated reserves and the recent results of the operational and staffing study in the police department, there was discussion within the Finance Committee about allocating a portion of the projected health insurance reserve fund toward funding an additional police officer position. While I understand and appreciate the intent to strengthen public safety, allocating unproven “savings” to recurring personnel expenses before they are fully realized is risky and inconsistent with best financial practices. Ultimately, the budget was forwarded to the City Council as recommended by the City Manager.

The City Manager’s budget recommendation is to sequester at least two years’ worth of the projected savings to build a sufficient health insurance reserve account. This reserve would protect against future premium increases, unexpected hikes due to high-cost claims as we are now self-insured, and the potential re-entry penalty if the City returns to ETF after the mandatory waiting period. To give you some perspective, our Finance Director calculated the reentry penalty based on figures from a neighboring community that recently received an ETF reentry estimate. Given our current employee count, the estimated first-year penalty would be over $700,000, which two years’ projected savings wouldn’t fully cover.

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) emphasizes avoiding financial commitments based on anticipated savings until those savings are confirmed. Whitewater has earned the GFOA Distinguished Budget Award every year during my tenure as City Manager, underscoring our commitment to responsible financial stewardship. Allocating reserves prematurely could jeopardize both the stability of the health insurance fund and the City’s broader fiscal health.

While adding a single officer may seem appealing, a recent study by Fitch and Associates lays out a broader framework for enhancing public safety in our community. The study outlines the need for between four and six additional patrol officers, a detective, additional technological and dispatch support, and possibly an expanded role for our administrative assistant. It also recommends considering another School Resource Officer (SRO) in partnership with the school district.

The Importance of Fiscal Responsibility and Planning

Given the uncertainties surrounding our new self-funded insurance model, the most responsible approach is to allow the health insurance reserve to be built over the next two years. A healthy reserve protects against potential cost increases or the need to return to ETF, which could cost the City over $700,000 in the first year alone due to re-entry penalties. By maintaining this reserve, we can stabilize our insurance fund, mitigate future risks, and avoid significant budget cuts if unexpected costs arise.

Alternatively, rather than using unconfirmed savings for ongoing staffing, a more strategic approach would be allocating a portion of realized savings for one-time, non-recurring expenses. For example, funds could be set aside for essential equipment or capital purchases, such as a vehicle to support additional staff and the necessary initial gear for new hires, including vests, uniforms, sidearms, tasers, radios, and other vital equipment. This would allow us to prepare for future growth in a financially sustainable way.

Regardless, suppose there is an overwhelming desire to increase the police staffing by one additional position with these funds. In that case, the City benefits more from an additional detective than a patrol officer. A single detective would provide more impact in terms of investigative capacity, crime resolution, and case management. Given our current challenges, adding one patrol officer does not offer the strategic or operational benefits our department needs. To improve public safety, we need a comprehensive staffing plan rather than isolated, piecemeal measures that may not yield significant value.

Planning for Sustainable Public Safety Funding

As we move into 2025, staff has recommended—and our recent study by Fitch and Associates supports—pursuing a referendum to create a stable, long-term funding source for public safety. This approach allows us to address staffing needs with dedicated, voter-supported funding rather than relying on projected reserves that may not materialize as expected. By building a healthy reserve account for insurance needs over the next year or two, we can strengthen our financial footing and potentially use those proven expenditure reductions to strategically support a voter-approved referendum for police staffing, creating a solid support system for the City’s future needs.

This budget season, I want residents to know that the City Manager’s budget recommendation is based on best practices, careful forecasting, and a fiscally conservative approach to municipal budgeting. The goal behind this recommendation is to ensure that, no matter what, taxpayers aren’t left holding the bag if future changes to our health insurance become necessary. For example, in a household budget, careful planning, setting money aside for future needs, and not spending money before it shows up helps ensure long-term stability and prepare us for the unexpected. 

I encourage all residents to join us at the meeting in person or online to hear the discussion and consider how these decisions impact our community’s future. Your insights and involvement are invaluable as we work together to secure a stable and resilient community for all.

Warmest Regards,

John S. Weidl

City Manager, City of Whitewater

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312 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190
262-473-0104 | jweidl@whitewater-wi.gov

www.whitewater-wi.gov

On World Kindness Day, Wednesday, November 13th, 6:30 pm – 8 pm, the League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area will sponsor a public forum on the meaning of civility, unity, community, and kindness. The program, Red, White, Blue, and Civility Too, will be held at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center, 341 S Fremont St, in Whitewater. The program will feature a panel of diverse community members* sharing their perspectives followed by roundtable discussions among audience members on how we can move our thoughts on these notions into positive action within our community. 

In America, we are taught that patriotism is to honor our country and to embrace the rights and freedoms that are our constitutional imperatives. Our red, white, and blue notions are steeped in nostalgia, loyalty, and liberty. These colors are symbolic and sacred to us as a united nation. Have we drifted from these idyllic notions? Should we, the people, put forth more than just notions, but also actions? Is our nation one of unity, community, kindness, and civility? Civility is defined as politeness through thought and behavior, a celebration of joy, solidarity, community, and hope.

Please join us on November 13th to learn from others and contribute your ideas to the conversation. Refreshments will be served.

• Panelists include: Kristine Zaballos, Co-founder of the Community Space; Maryann Zimmerman, School Board member, Whitewater Unified School District; Miguel Aranda, School Board Vice President, Whitewater Unified School District; Sam Blake, Director of the PB Poorman Pride Center, UW-Whitewater; Elizabeth Staniforth-Seamster, Pastor of Caring and Community Outreach, First United Methodist Church; Greg Stewart, Whitewater High School history, government, and civics teacher; Cal Servi, Police Lieutenant, UW-Whitewater; and, Eric Loepp, Political Science professor, UW-Whitewater.

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!