Editor’s note: Following is an ongoing column that will be published in WhitewaterWise. Editions are based on questions posed by members of the public and their corresponding answers as delivered by Whitewater City Manager John Weidl. Additional comments may also be presented by members of city staff with specific knowledge about individual topics. Those interested in receiving responses to questions in upcoming editions are asked to send their inquiry to citymanager@whitewater-wi.gov. Readers are asked to formulate their questions within 250 words.

“Ask the city manager,” is designed to establish a direct connection between residents and the local government. With regular updates, this segment will showcase questions from community members, accompanied by comprehensive answers provided by the city manager’s office.

Q: As a longtime resident, I am less than thrilled with the condition of our lakes in recent years. What is the city doing to address this?

Weidl’s response: Thank you for reaching out with your concern. The city understands your frustration and has been dedicating staff, time, and resources to finding solutions that have the lakes’ best interest at heart.

For those who did not have the opportunity to attend the public meeting held Saturday, Aug. 26, interim Parks and Rec Director Michelle Dujardin spoke alongside the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) about solutions for the lakes, a recording of the meeting is found below. This video will cover some of the points made during that meeting:

• The Parks and Recreation department has dedicated a significant amount of time to thoroughly educate itself on the state of Cravath and Tripp Lakes.

• We have previously and will continue to proactively address the issue of cattail overgrowth through a method called “dredging.” This involves using specialized techniques to remove excess cattails from the lakes, and our next round of dredging is scheduled for the end of October.

• Further, the city is taking proactive steps towards establishing a Lakes District, which will provide essential protection and management guidelines for our lakes. This approach to cattail removal, in collaboration with the new Lakes District, will ensure a sustainable future for our lakes and the surrounding properties.

• Further, we are seeking the expertise of lake professionals—we have a meeting scheduled with a hydrologist later this month to explore further environmental solutions to preserve the integrity of our lakes.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work towards creating a harmonious and thriving environment for our lakes.

I want to take a moment to thank Michelle and all of our staff that has dedicated time to working on this project. It is through their efforts and passion for the community that this project is underway.

As always, feel free to reach out through our “Ask a City Manager” email program for any further queries or clarifications about city services and opportunities. Reach us at citymanager@whitewater-wi.gov.

About Weidl

According to information supplied by the city of Whitewater, John S. Weidl is the city manager of Whitewater. Bringing over 14 years of leadership experience, he also is a decorated military combat veteran with an M.P.A. from Northern Illinois University. Prior to his time in Whitewater, he served as the village administrator for Mukwonago, managing a $20 million budget and achieving multiple accolades for economic development. A strategic planner and community development expert, Weidl is committed to elevating the quality of life for Whitewater’s residents, businesses, and visitors. For more information, visit the city’s website: https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/1.