By Dave Fidlin
Whitewater officials recently decided to support a philanthropic effort that could bring smiles to the faces of local youth.
At the request of several members of CrossPointe Community Church, the Common Council on June 17 voted to donate unclaimed bikes to the congregation. CrossPointe, in turn, will refurbish the bikes and give them to the Wisconsin Dream Center for a back-to-school program planned in mid-August.
“The program provides underprivileged families and individuals with a variety of needed supplies and services,” City Manager Cameron Clapper said. “These individuals would not otherwise have the resources to obtain a bicycle.”
This is not the first year the city has approved CrossPointe’s request. If the bikes were not donated, they would be sold at an auction. Clapper said the city forgoes a revenue opportunity by giving the bikes to charity.
In other business June 17, the council:
• Approved a request by the Fourth of July Committee to close several streets for the city’s annual parade. All or portions of several roadways – including Fremont, James and Whitewater streets – will be closed on Independence Day;
• Approved a request to close several streets near Cravath Lakefront Park on Tuesday, Aug. 5, for the city’s National Night Out festivities. Impacted areas will include Fremont and James streets;
• Renewed alcohol licenses for five establishments: Fratelli’s Restaurant, Karina’s Restaurant, Second Salem Brewing Co., Tokyo Restaurant and Wanda’s Waterfront, and;
• Discussed, but took no action, on a long-range wastewater facility plan. The document, drafted by Michael Gerbitz of engineering firm Donohue and Associates, addresses a range of issues, including new regulatory standards, needed improvements and treatment methods.
Whitewater’s existing wastewater treatment facility was first constructed more than 30 years ago, and Gerbitz asserted a series of steps will need to be taken to comply with new federal regulations.
