Editor’s note: Following is the first installment of 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.

Our debut question comes from a fresh face at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. This enthusiastic student is eager to learn about voter registration procedures, employment opportunities within the city, and upcoming community events.

Q: Hey there, I’m a newcomer this year at UWW. Go Warhawks! Do I need to complete any paperwork to register for voting in Whitewater? Also, are there internships offered by the city or where can I explore job opportunities? Additionally, could you highlight any local events or essential services that I should be aware of?

A: On behalf of the city of Whitewater, a warm welcome to each of you and your new academic journey at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. We’re absolutely thrilled to have you become a part of our vibrant and diverse community.

About voter registration guidelines 

If you’re a U.S. citizen and Whitewater is your primary residence, you’re certainly eligible to register for voting here. To get a complete understanding of voter registration procedures and requirements, take a moment to visit our Voter Registration page, found here: https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/170/Voter-Registration. Furthermore, the League of Women Voters Whitewater offers an array of valuable resources and educational materials related to voting. Information presented by the league is here: https://www.lwv.org/local-leagues/lwv-whitewater-area.

Services found within the city

We wholeheartedly encourage active civic participation. Voting carries significant weight, as the decisions made at the local council level directly impact the student community through various city services and opportunities for engagement.

Some service-oriented destinations and organizations operating within the city are:

• Local transportation services, including the convenient Brown Cab shared ride taxi service and the well-connected Janesville Milwaukee bus service. For more details, visit https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/292/Transportation.

• The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, which provides an ideal destination for study spaces, makerspace, multimedia, and a range of engaging community programs.

• Community parks, which provide amenities  such as walking trails, and the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center (WAFC), which offers a plethora of fitness options and enjoyable amenities, including a lap pool, leisure pool, hot tub, fitness center, and spin room. Additional information is here: www.whitewater-wi.gov/438/Parks-Recreation and here: www.whitewaterafc.com.

• The Whitewater Chamber of Commerce, which serves to bridge businesses and the community through compelling events and promotional activities, fostering collaboration and growth. Meanwhile, Downtown Whitewater, Inc., takes the lead in rallying volunteers, celebrating heritage, nurturing the neighborhood, and attracting investments. For more information, visit: https://www.whitewaterchamber.com/ and downtownwhitewater.com. Visitor’s guides, featuring entertainment options are available here: https://www.discoverwhitewater.org/. Additional offerings include the Discover Whitewater Series 5K and Half Marathon. Information about the Discover Whitewater Series is here: https://runwhitewater.com/.

• The UW-Whitewater Children’s Center, which offers on-campus childcare opportunities, and the Whitewater Unified School District, which provides excellent education options for all age groups. Information about both groups is found here: www.uww.edu/childrenscenter and here: https://www.wwusd.org/, respectively.

Also available are:

• City internships and employment opportunities, which, for those inclined towards local governance, are found here: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/whitewaterwi.

• Roles in local governance, which include openings on boards, commissions, and committees, along with the option to run for elected office. Information about governance is here:  https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/183/Ethics-and-Civility, and here: www.whitewater-wi.gov/308/Common-Council.

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.