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Today is Wednesday, June 24, 2026
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Editor’s note: The following press release was received on Tuesday evening, October 3 from City Manager John Weidl.
“I’m writing to share with the community that I have been selected as a finalist for the Village Administrator position in Salem Lakes, WI.
During my tenure in Whitewater, we’ve celebrated new developments like Starbucks and A-1 Packaging, introduced ALDI – the first new grocer since 2016, created and funded an affordable housing policy, reduced Fire and EMS response times, and revitalized our local government PEG channel, among other achievements. Staff speak clearly and openly of their shared commitment to productive, engaged and transparent government. Staff speak openly of their support for me as City Manager, and I am humbled by their words and grateful for their trust.
This opportunity is not due to a reduced commitment to the City of Whitewater, organizational goals, or its taxpayers. Whitewater is on the cusp of a bright new future, provided process and productivity, not politics, drive decision-making. This opportunity arises from my desire for stability for my new daughter and, for myself, a supervisory environment that emphasizes respect and professionalism.
Most importantly, should a transition occur, I want to assure my full support and participation in the continuity of Whitewater’s city operations.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and time.
Sincerely,
John S. Weidl
City Manager, City of Whitewater”
Editor’s note: According to the Salem Lakes website, “We officially became the Village of Salem Lakes on February 14, 2017. Salem Lakes is a rural community with a population of approximately 14,625. Our Village consists of five small “hamlets” which include Camp Lake, Salem, Silver Lake, Trevor and Wilmot.” According to a report, previous village administrator Michael Murdock had been placed on paid administrative leave for approximately six weeks during an investigation and left employment in August, 2023 under a separation agreement. The website indicates that the interim village administrator is Dave Bretl, who retired in 2020 as administrator and corporation counsel of Walworth County. The village does not appear to have publicly announced the finalists for the administrator position.
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Common Council Authorizes Outside Counsel Regarding “Disciplinary and Personnel Matters”
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
During the Common Council meeting on October 3, Council President James Allen made a motion to authorize engaging an outside attorney to advise the Council on disciplinary and personnel matters. The motion, as amended to provide for up to $10,000 in expenses, was passed on a 4-3 vote, with Allen, Gerber, Hicks, and Stone voting in favor. This action would pertain specifically to the City Manager, since that position is the only one that reports to the Council. A similar motion had failed to pass in a late summer meeting.
Speaking against the motion, Brienne Brown indicated that she had been advised by officials in other communities that a new manager should be given at least two years to adapt to their position. Not allowing this timeframe, she was told, would make for difficulty in attracting a new manager. Lisa Dawsey Smith stated that she shared those concerns. Citizen Brian Schanen also spoke against the motion, indicating that he had noted recent progress in the city and felt that hiring a third attorney to advise the city would be a waste of resources. In addition to the City Attorney, a labor attorney is also on contract with the city, and Human Resources Manager Sara Marquardt indicated that the Council had not inquired as to whether this attorney might advise the Council.
In making the motion, James Allen stated that the Council had not had opportunity to meet in closed session to evaluate the City Manager. John Weidl stated that the Council had actually had two such sessions in the past sixty days.
Weidl served as interim city manager beginning in August, 2022 upon the resignation of previous manager Cameron Clapper. He was hired as city manager effective November 7, 2022.
Contacted after the adjournment of the Common Council meeting, Allen indicated that he had not yet received notification of Weidl’s announcement regarding the Village of Salem Lakes administrator search. (See separate Banner article.)
According to the Rock County Public Works website, the closure for paving and culvert replacement on County Highway N, which extends from the western end of Walworth Street, is now expected to continue through October 13. Originally this project was planned to be completed by August 31, with the completion date subsequently being delayed to September 29.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Transportation website projects that the Highway 12 reconstruction between Whitewater and Fort Atkinson is anticipated to be completed on November 3. Originally it was indicated that work might be continuing until sometime in December.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Esmoth from Pixabay.
Emilia Houwers won her singles match 6-0, 6-1 at the WIAA subsectionals in Delavan on Monday, October 2, and will now compete in the Sectionals in La Crosse on Wednesday to decide who will compete at the State Tennis Tournament on Oct 12-14. Go, Emilia!
Article Submitted by Baron West
Whitewater High School Head Tennis Coach
bwest@wwusd.org
Photo courtesy of Bob Mischka.
The Whippets will be hosting the Rock Valley Conference Cross Country Meet on Thursday, October 12, at UW-Whitewater. Check out the link for all pertinent information, and Go, Whippets!
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives.
Patrick Taylor is a WUL Hometown Hero. He was nominated by 11-year-old Rafa Los for serving as City Judge and helping the community.
As Municipal Judge for the City of Whitewater, Patrick focuses on promoting community justice to reduce repeat offenders through education with an emphasis on re-directing youth and their families in positive ways. Patrick also serves as President of the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club whose mission is to help the children of the community and beyond. Additionally, he sits on both the City’s Urban Forestry and Ethics Commissions, and the Board of Zoning Appeals. Patrick chairs the Chapter Advisory Board for Phi Delta Theta’s fraternity at UW-Whitewater and is President of First United Methodist Church’s Board of Trustees.
WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.
Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com
Editor’s note: This announcement and photo were provided by Sarah Hoots.
This summer, Abbie Rhodes, Erin Vosburgh, and Ruby Hoots from Whitewater Girl Scout Troop 7639 earned their Bronze Award for their volunteering at Mulberry Glen.
The Bronze award, one of the highest awards in Girl Scouting, represents over 20 hours of community service towards a chosen project. Abbie, Erin, and Ruby chose to dedicate their time on multiple occasions over the summer, serving meals, visiting with, and planning activities for the residents of Mulberry Glen. They also hope to continue as pen pals with a few special friends they made.
Editor’s Note: The following was submitted by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Dr. Jimmy Peltier wears a lot of hats at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. As a marketing professor, department chair, director of the sales institute, and AMA advisor, Peltier is a very busy man. Despite this, he continues to dedicate time to research and scholarly content creation, citing it as his second favorite pursuit after helping students excel.
Dr. Peltier began his publishing journey in 1989. Fast forward three decades, he now has earned over 10,000 citations on Google Scholar. Peltier writes on a wide array of topics that include digital marketing, healthcare, and marketing education. “Just spreading the knowledge to someone else who may be writing a paper so they know what is already out there” is what Peltier says is important about people citing his work.
“We are immensely proud of Dr. Peltier’s remarkable achievement,” said Dr. Paul Ambrose, Dean of the College of Business and Economics. “This milestone reflects the caliber of our faculty and their commitment to producing impactful research. It also highlights our school’s dedication to providing students with access to knowledgeable faculty who lead by example.”
The achievement of surpassing 10,000 citations on Google Scholar marked a significant milestone in Dr. Peltier’s illustrious career. He celebrated this accomplishment with enthusiasm, sharing the news with his wife, and with colleagues during a department meeting. But Peltier has no plans to stop publishing anytime soon.
Peltier said, “I get in excess of a thousand citations a year. So this number is only going to go up. And it is something I can still do after I retire so I will continue to explore, write, publish, and continue to share the knowledge.”
To access Dr. Peltier’s work on Google Scholar, please click here.
Congratulations to Professor Peltier on this outstanding achievement!
About Dr. Jimmy Peltier:
Dr. Peltier received his Ph.D. in Marketing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has over 35 years of business experience as a consultant, Research Director in an Advertising Agency, and as President of a marketing consulting firm. Dr. Peltier’s sales expertise lies in developing buyer-seller relationships, understanding students’ intent to pursue a sales career, database requirements for the sales force, and successful relationship marketing practices. Dr. Peltier directed the launch of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Institute for Sales Excellence in 2012, and has led it to national prominence as an institution and as a sales competition powerhouse. Dr. Peltier is a Past-President of both the University Sales Center Alliance and the American Marketing Association Collegiate Chapters Council (twice). He has received life-time Achievement Awards from the AMA, the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation, and is the only person to have received UW-Whitewater’s top three Lifetime Awards, including the Roseman Teaching Excellence, University Research, and University Service Awards. Dr. Peltier has been faculty advisor for UW-Whitewater’s AMA chapter since 1986 and has directed the UWW Chapter to 19 International Chapter of the Year Awards, including 12 years in a row from 2011-2021. With a prolific research career spanning over three decades, Dr. Peltier’s work has earned him over 10,000 citations on Google Scholar. His research areas include digital marketing, healthcare, and marketing education, and he is known for his unwavering commitment to sharing knowledge and advancing the field.
About the College of Business and Economics:
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics (CoBE) is Wisconsin’s largest business school. It is home to the #1 ranked online, single school Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program in the State and is the only college in Wisconsin that offers an AACSB-accredited Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) degree program. CoBE is in the top 2% of the world’s business schools having earned both AACSB and AACSB Accounting Accreditation. More information can be found here.
Obituaries
Marion Jauch Burrows (Feb. 2, 1930 – June 5, 2026) Her sparkling eyes, warm laugh, and generous ways were gifts Marion brought into this world, touching family members and friends alike over the ninety-six years of her life. She was born and raised in Lombard, IL, and in the course of her life lived with her husband and growing family in Abilene, TX, St. David’s, PA, Arkadelphia, AR, Ada, OK, and Colorado Springs, CO, before settling in Whitewater, WI, in 1965. Generosity of heart, compassion toward those in need in and beyond her community, and an unwavering commitment to fairness … Read more
Patricia “Pat” Lynn Bailey, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026 with her daughter by her side. Pat was born February 21, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to John and Ruth (Hudock) Prentice. After a brief time in Ann Arbor, the Prentice family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where Pat grew up as part of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater community, where her father served as University Registrar. Pat attended the University School and later graduated from UW Whitewater with a degree in Elementary Education. Although she did not pursue teaching, she built a meaningful career in Human … Read more
Gemelino Paris Esperante, 83, long time resident of Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1943, to his late father and mother, Evaristo and Carmen in Spain. In 1973 he moved to the United States as a sheep herder. On August 21, 1981, he was united in marriage to Cyndie Esperante in Colorado. Gemelino also worked in Mining and construction for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, raising sheep and growing things in his garden, and flowers. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife … Read more
Mary Ann Warner died peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville. Her physical heart failed, but her actual, loving heart never did. Ann was born June 28, 1939 to Mary and Charles Kearns in Iowa. She moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin and graduated with many dear friends in the class of 1957. Ann married John Warner on September 19, 1959. They lived in Whitewater, Sturgis Michigan, and finally settled in Janesville where they built a beautiful life and raised their family. Together, they ran a business, traveled, played cards, and enjoyed their lives. When they became … Read more
Patricia Ann Jacobson (Bureau), age 81, of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Born on September 2, 1944, in Marquette, MI, to the late Donald and Margaret Bureau, Pat grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She graduated from Graveraet High School, attended Michigan State University, and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. Pat dedicated her professional life to shaping young minds, working as an elementary and junior high school teacher in both Flint, MI, and Whitewater, WI. At the heart of Pat’s life was a beautiful, … Read more
In loving memory of Lois Lauritzen, age 92, who passed away on June 1, 2026 at Lakewood Memory Care in Brookfield. Lois led an active life full of devotion to family and friends. Born July 14th, 1933 in Silvis, IL, daughter of Harry and Elsie Wilson, she grew up in the Quad Cities with older brother Harry Wilson Jr. Lois graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with a degree in physical education. She met her husband Paul Lauritzen on the college tennis team. Their marriage on June 12th, 1955 lasted 59 years until Paul’s death on September 26th, … Read more
Donald Walter Triebold passed on to his eternal home on May 21, 2026. Don was born on April 23, 1935, in Evanston, IL, to the late Frederick W. and Mildred (nee Stecher) Triebold. Through his teen years, Don lived and worked on the family’s dairy farm, where he developed a life-long work ethic. His first eight years of education were in a one-room country schoolhouse, in which all eight grades were taught by one teacher. He graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1953 and then graduated from UW Whitewater in 1958 with a degree in Business Education. He continued his education, and earned a Master’s … Read more
William Kincaid Davis, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, May 19 at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Madison, Indiana, the second son of Salvation Army Officers Agnes (Dixon) and William C. Davis. He attended several schools in Indiana and Illinois, including University of Illinois Experimental High School (Champaign), and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1964 and his master’s degree from UW-Whitewater in 1972. He had an expansive career in education, beginning as an English teacher in Whitehall, Thornton Township (IL) and … Read more
Magdalene “Maggie” Stetter (nee Fritz), 79, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed from this life onto the next on Monday, May 4, 2026. She was born on January 16, 1947, to the late John and Mary (Presser) Fritz in St. Stefan, Austria. Maggie immigrated from Austria with her parents and brother, became a US citizen, and grew up and attended school in West Allis, WI and then graduated with a teaching degree from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Maggie served as a substitute, English, and German language teacher in the Whitewater, Elkhorn, Delavan, and Palmyra schools and at Divine Word Seminary. Maggie … Read more
Lawrence “Larry” C. Hartung, a proud Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, and longtime resident of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on May 1, 2026. Larry was born June 7th, 1949, to Levon and Charles Hartung in Chicago, IL. Larry enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968 and served 3 consecutive tours in the Vietnam War. During this time, he became pen pals with his future wife, Candy, via a connection through his father. In 1970, he came home on leave to marry Candy. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on October 31st, 2025. During … Read more
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