News & Events

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #197 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sun., May 7, 2023, as a mark of respect for the firefighters of Wisconsin who have given their lives in the line of duty. “Every day in communities throughout our state, Wisconsin firefighters bravely put their lives on the line to protect the health and safety of others,” said Gov. Evers. “Honoring those firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty is a responsibility we share as a state and nation, and I am proud to recognize these fallen heroes and share our deepest condolences with their families, friends, colleagues, and loved ones on these occasions throughout the year.” Executive Order #197 orders the flags to be flown at half-staff on Sun., May 7, 2023, in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. Previously, National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend had been held in October, but beginning in 2023, was moved from October to May by the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation.  In Wisconsin, Wis. Stat. 995.225(1) still designates each week annually during which October 9 falls as Fire Prevention Week and designates the Saturday at the end of Fire Prevention Week as Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day. To that end, Executive Order #197 also orders the flags be lowered on Sat., Oct. 14, 2023, in honor of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day during Fire Prevention Week.

You won’t want to miss our League’s BIGGEST membership event of the year, our
Annual Meeting! It will be held in person on Saturday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to Noon in
Fairhaven Senior Services’ Fellowship Hall, 435 W Starin Rd, Whitewater. A delicious
light brunch will be provided.

The League board encourages all League members and interested members of the
public to attend this important social and business gathering. Please join us as we
review and celebrate our work in the past year, look forward to the new one, and
conduct the business of the League, which includes voting on a slate of Board of
Directors and Officers, a proposed budget, and local programming focus for FY
2023-24.

As a member of our League, your vote on these significant actions counts – but only if
you appear in person. We want to hear from ALL of our members and get to know you
better! Please learn how your membership and volunteer work in our organization has
influenced our democracy! Materials for the Annual Meeting can be found on our
website.

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, like us on Facebook
and follow us on Instagram @lwvwhitewater.

Notice of Affordable Housing Public Input Session

City of Whitewater staff has drafted an Affordable Housing Fund Policy for the Community Development Authority to assist home buyers and developers by addressing the lack of housing available in the City of Whitewater, especially for low-income residents. With this policy, the city seeks to support home buyers in acquiring homes and incentivizing contractors/developers with construction of new housing units.

The goal of the Affordable Housing Fund is to aid homebuyers and provide gap financing for projects in the City of Whitewater that seek to increase the supply of safe, quality, affordable housing and facilitate long‐term affordability and sustainability. In addition, the funds seek to achieve a wider dispersion of affordable housing units throughout the city and discourage development of more affordable housing in areas with existing high concentrations.

Approximately $1.9 million will be allocated to fund single‐family housing projects that promote housing affordability and down payment assistance to purchasers of single‐family homes who qualify based on income in comparison to the median for the County in which the dwelling resides. This policy also proposes to allocate a small amount ($200,000) toward single‐family home rehabilitation in an existing program run by the CDA (view the affordable housing fund policy draft).

John Weidl, Whitewater city manager, shares, “Anyone interested in developing, financing, purchasing, or promoting affordable housing in the City of Whitewater, please attend our public input session and provide input and feedback on how to best allocate $1.9 million toward single-family homes that are affordable for current and future residents. We are grateful for your participation and please know that we value your input.”

The City of Whitewater will host an Affordable Housing Public Input Session “open house” on April 27, 2023, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building Community Room, 312 W. Whitewater Street, Whitewater, WI. This two‐hour open house will allow any person interested in discussing, reviewing, or commenting on the policy to do so.

Editor’s note: In response to our inquiry, Weidl told the Banner that approximately the first 20 minutes “will be a presentation of how the fund was developed, an explanation of the draft policy, and a recap of some of the major feedback we’ve received to this point. That will be followed by an open house style event. We also intend to livestream and record the event.”

Please feel free to contact City Manager John Weidl at jweidl@whitewater‐wi.gov or 262‐473‐0104 with any questions, comments, or concerns.

Advertisement for Bids
Road Repair Projects 2023

Town of Whitewater, Walworth County, Wisconsin

The Town Board of the Town of Whitewater will receive sealed bids for the following road projects:

Chip & Seal:
Parker Road
Cox road
R&W Townline Rd: two different sections

Asphalt:
Shereda Rd
Krahn Dr
W. Lakeshore Dr
Clover Valley from Anderson Rd to Millis Rd

Patches and wedging:
Clover Valley between Willis Ray Rd and Anderson Rd intersection
Woodward Rd at boundary of Cold Spring Township

For specifics on proposed projects, please contact Carl Ahrens, Public Works Superintendent: 920-723-0458.

All sealed bids, clearly marked “ROAD BID”, must be received by the Town Clerk before NOON, May 1, 2023. Bids will be opened on May 2, 2023 at a Special Meeting for the Board, starting at 8:30 a.m.

Weight slips required for all road materials used. Proof of Worker’s Comp Insurance and a W-9 must be furnished prior to any work being done. All bids and materials must be according to State of Wisconsin, DOT road standards.

The Town of Whitewater reserves the right to core and test asphalt content at the expense of the awarded contractor. The Town Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts of bids.

Jorja Boiley
Clerk/Treasurer

UW-Whitewater welcomes Disney historian Todd James Pierce for a presentation on Walt Disney and the talented individuals who helped him realize his vision for Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Constructing the beloved theme parks in California and Florida was an enormous task. Walt Disney needed to build a team of people with certain skills and goals in order to achieve the visual storytelling he imagined for the attractions in the parks. In many cases that meant redirecting those he hired so they could find passions and talents they didn’t realize they had. Pierce will share some of the stories behind Walt Disney and his designers as they worked together to create the theme parks that are among the most magical places on Earth.

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 | Two Locations
UW-W University Center, Room 275, Whitewater | 1:00 p.m.
Hedberg Public Library, 316 S. Main St., Janesville | 6:00 p.m.

Parking may be purchased through the Passport Pay by Space app – information is available here.
Visitor parking may also be purchased online or at the kiosk behind the Visitor Information Center. See this link for information.

Editor’s note: The above news release was received from UW-Whitewater.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the City of Whitewater on April 11.

ALDI has submitted plans to the City of Whitewater for a 20,000 square foot grocery store on the west side.  

Since 1976, ALDI’s number one priority has been to deliver great quality food at the lowest possible prices. ALDI is committed to making a difference in the communities they serve by offering market-leading wages and benefits for employees, using environmentally friendly building materials and stores to promote sustainability, and giving back to the community through product and financial donations.  

The ALDI proposed location is the current site of Hawk Bowl and Hawk Apartments at 1380 and 1398 West Main Street. The property is zoned B-1 and does not need to be rezoned. The Pinnacle Engineering Group in Brookfield, which is working on behalf of ALDI, submitted plans for a grocery store on the site on April 10. 

Chris Bennett, Neighborhood Services Director, shares, “Bringing a grocery store into town is long overdue. It is exciting to see it finally happening in Whitewater. A devoted standalone grocery store will be an asset to the community.”  

The developer is proposing to demolish the existing structures, clean up the site, install stormwater and other utilities, and create two developable pads. The eastern pad will result in a 20,000 square foot ALDI store and, as proposed, the other developed pad on the west side will be retained by the original property owners for future development opportunities.  

The City of Whitewater’s Plan & Architectural Review Commission (PARC) will conduct site plan review at their next meeting on May 8, 2023, and render its verdict. The site plan review is the only procedural matter ALDI must go through to receive clearance to build. Chris Bennett, Neighborhood Services Director, further explains, “During site plan review members of the Plan Commission will examine the proposed building for architectural integrity – it looks good and as it should – and ensure that landscaping, traffic, lighting, parking, street access and other factors are in line with city ordinance.” 

Once PARC renders its verdict and accepts the ALDI design, then ALDI representatives will apply for building permits. Also, the City of Whitewater staff will begin working with the developer to outline an agreement to resolve the environmental contamination (asbestos) and redevelopment of the site. This agreement would then need to be vetted and approved by the Common Council, most likely in May or June.  

The internal review by city staff will continue throughout the building process, with engineers and public works personnel ensuring the building and site are constructed in compliance with the city code. The ALDI plans are available for review on the second floor of the municipal building at the Public Works/Neighborhood Services counter. 

John Weidl, Whitewater City Manager, shares, “Staff is unanimously supportive of this project for its immediate impact providing vital access to affordable food and long-term investment in the new tax base and jobs for the community.”