Message from the
Village President, Julie Siegel
The April 7, 2020 Spring Election and Presidential Preference Primary is this Tuesday. Please remember that as a result of a federal court decision, the deadline for completed absentee ballots to be received by the Village has been extended to 4:00 pm on April 13, 2020. If you are voting in-person on Election Day, please read the article below that outlines the precautions that have been implemented for the safety of our poll workers, Village Staff, and the general public. To subscribe to our newsletter,
click here.
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What is the status of overnight parking enforcement? The suspension of overnight parking enforcement has been
extended until the end of April. Contact the Police Department for more information at 414-962-3830.
What are the rules for dog walking? More people are staying healthy by walking outside (while social distancing)! Remember that dogs are required to be be on a leash. We have received a number of calls regarding off-leash dogs.
Have a question? The Village Hall phone number is 414-962-6690.
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This Week's Meetings:
- Thursday, April 9, 5:30 pm, Virtual GoToMeeting
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Last Week's Meetings:
- Wednesday, April 1, 6:00 pm, Virtual GoToMeeting.
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Weekly North Shore Health Department Update:
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COVID-19: April 3, 2020 UPDATE:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WI DHS) and the North Shore Health Department (NSHD), along with other local health departments are responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus, COVID-19. For the most current information, visit the
CDC’s website or
our website.
As the North Shore Health Department, we are currently monitoring 38 active cases, and we are also providing active monitoring for high-risk contacts of confirmed cases with daily phone calls. We have triaged and processed over 400 suspect cases and/or contacts, and performed several large contact investigations, which involves notifying the contacts of their potential risk and educating them on self-quarantine guidelines. We are also managing several active cases in Milwaukee to assist the Milwaukee Health Department.
The NSHD has ordered the closure of public beaches throughout the North Shore: This order is effective as of April 3rd, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. and will be in effect for the period of time concurrent with any Order of the State of Wisconsin requiring “safer at home” practices. This is to slow the spread of the virus and preserve the health of our community.
CONTINUES BELOW...
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April 7, 2020 Election Information:
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Election Day Information:
Polling places will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on Election Day (April 7, 2020) for in-person voting. Please use the
Ward Map (PDF) find your voting location.
The Village is doing everything we can to keep poll workers, Village Staff, and the general public safe. Safety precautions include:
- Professional sanitation service at all polling places throughout Election Day.
- Voting booths placed a minimum of six feet apart.
- Plexiglas shields to separate poll workers and voters.
- Gloves for poll workers.
- Masks for poll workers.
- Wipes.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Pen for every voter.
- Tape on floor for social distancing.
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Return Your Absentee Ballot:
The deadline for completed absentee ballots to be received by the Village has been extended to 4:00 pm on April 13, 2020. Your options to return your ballot:
- Place your ballot in the mail. The U.S. Postal Service sorts and delivers official election mail in an expedited fashion.
- Use the dropbox just inside the Village Hall vestibule door. The box is checked regularly during the day.
Please remember that your ballot must be received at Village Hall (not postmarked) by 4:00 pm on April 13, 2020.
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Updated Absentee Witness Signature Requirement:
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Updates from the Department of Public Works:
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Yard Waste Collection:
Village wide yard waste collection has started. Yard waste must be placed between the curb and sidewalk in sturdy paper bags or in containers that can be emptied. Yard waste bags or containers must weigh less 50 pounds.
GRASS CLIPPINGS ARE PROHIBITED.
Due to reduced staff in the Department of Public Works there is no scheduled collection day for yard waste. However, crews will collect once per week throughout the Village.
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Summer Seasonal Job Opening:
The Village is looking to fill a seasonal laborer position within the Department of Public Works.
The position may be responsible for waste/brush/refuse/recycling collection, flower bed planting/weeding/watering, shrub bed hedging/weeding & mulching, and other general tasks.
The position begins in May and ends in late August. Forty hours per week is expected but not guaranteed. Pay is $9.50 to $10.00 per hour depending on experience. Working hours are 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.
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Update from the Police Department:
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Beware of COVID-19 Scams:
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the United States, phone scammers have seized the opportunity to prey on consumers.
The FCC has received reports of scam and hoax text message campaigns and scam robocalls offering free home testing kits, promoting bogus cures, selling health insurance, and preying on virus-related fears. If you think you've been a victim of a coronavirus scam, contact law enforcement immediately.
The FCC offers the following tips to help you protect yourself from scams, including coronavirus scams:
- Do not respond to calls or texts from unknown numbers, or any others that appear suspicious.
- Never share your personal or financial information via email, text messages, or over the phone.
- Be cautious if you’re being pressured to share any information or make a payment immediately.
- Scammers often spoof phone numbers to trick you into answering or responding. Remember that government agencies will never call you to ask for personal information or money.
- Do not click any links in a text message. If a friend sends you a text with a suspicious link that seems out of character, call them to make sure they weren't hacked.
- Always check on a charity (for example, by calling or looking at its actual website) before donating. (Learn more about charity scams.)
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Updates from Village Hall:
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Complete the Census:
All households within the village should have received materials in the mail to complete their 2020 US Census Questionnaire.
Not only does your response critically matter to the allocation of billions of dollars of federal funding and political representation, it will also limit the need for potential door-to-door follow-up to your home. During a time of increased public health concerns, your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
As of April 1, Whitefish Bay's response rate was 64.8%, which is ahead of the state at 48.4% and nation at 41.3%. The Village encourages you to fill out your questionnaire as soon as possible.
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Village Operational Changes:
If you have a question please call 414-962-6690 between 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
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Voice of the Bay (Safer At Home Edition):
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Rocket Cat Productions and the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation present: “Voice of the Bay” and “Music in the Bay” (Safer at Home Edition):
Although Bay Day will not take place on May 2, 2020 as originally scheduled, the Voice of the Bay (VOTB) singing competition will continue to accept video submissions until May 1, 2020. If Bay Day is rescheduled to another date later in the year, VOTB contestants will perform on the rescheduled date. If Bay Day is cancelled, VOTB organizers will do their best to find an alternative date and location for the performances. The original prize package is subject to change.
In addition to the Voice of the Bay singing competition, we’d like to see youth performance videos on any instrument. We know it’s been difficult for kids to be cooped up inside, away from their regular school routine and their friends, so we are launching “Music in the Bay”. If you play an instrument at home or like to create your own songs using digital audio software send in your submissions too. We’ll figure out a fun way to showcase some of the outstanding musical talent in our community at a future time.
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Update from the Recreation Department:
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The Recreation Department recognizes that with the Safe at Home order, it may mean that residents are feeling disconnected from our Whitefish Bay Community. You may miss friends, family and even some of your daily activities that help you stay healthy and sane! If ever there was a time where we need to feel togetherness, it is now.
Recreation Department Staff are sharing videos for at-home activities related to music, song and dance, fitness activities, and online resources from our enrichment partners! In addition, we are hosting fun events like community scavenger hunts, outdoor BINGO, Art in Window contest, and more. Be sure to follow along with the hashtag #BringingCommunityTogether
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Events from the Whitefish Bay Public Library:
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Online Book Discussion: The Only Woman In The Room by Marie Benedict.Join us for our first online book discussion. About the book: Based on the incredible true story Hedy Lamarr, the glamour icon and scientist whose groundbreaking invention revolutionized modern communication. Read at your leisure,
then questions will be posted in our Goodreads book discussion
There are unlimited copies available via the library's hoopla access. Go to
www.hoopladigital.com and either sign in if you previously registered or register a new account. You'll need your library card number and pin.
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Live Virtual Storytime: Missing Storytime? We are too! Visit the
Whitefish Bay Library Facebook page each Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00 am with Miss Katie or Miss Valerie for a live storytime.
Did you miss last week's Live Virtual Storytime? We've got you covered!
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Digital Resources at the Library: Do you find yourself with a bunch of free time on your hands? Although the library is closed, we still offer a bunch of digital resources that can keep you entertained and perhaps teach you a new skill (or language).
Click here to learn more!
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Buy Local: Are you wondering what you can do to help the Merchants of Whitefish Bay? One way to help is to buy Gift Cards for yourself, a family member, or friends to be used at a later date. Many of the Merchants are offering excellent promotions with gift card purchases.
Thank you for supporting the Merchants of Whitefish Bay! We will be back in full force before you know it!
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Let's #BrightenTheBay with the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation
The Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation wants to see your community spirit during this challenging time! Share your best Sidewalk Chalk Art with
#BrightenTheBay, #ChalkTheWalk, or
#SidewalkSpirit on Facebook.
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Food Drive: Bay Bridge has organized a food drive to help feed those most in need during the COVID-19 crisis. Please help restock Milwaukee food banks, pantries and social service agencies that serve the food insecure.
Blue collection bins have been place at the Whitefish Bay Public Library, and will be there through the foreseeable future. What’s needed: 1)NONPERISHABLE items & 2) FRESH oranges, bananas and apples for children. Thank you for your generosity, donations will be picked up daily.
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Donate Blood: Right now, the American Red Cross has an ongoing critical need for blood product donations as uncertainties remain during this coronavirus pandemic. Blood drives continue to be canceled at an alarming rate and patients need a sufficient blood supply throughout the many weeks of this crisis and beyond.
Giving blood is considered an essential community service. As part of our nation’s critical infrastructure, healthy individuals can still donate in areas that have issued shelter in place declarations. Donating is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood or platelets. We have implemented additional precautions to ensure safety of our donors and staff.
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Weekly North Shore Health Department Update:
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CONTINUED FROM ABOVE...
Well-being Tips:
- Take time to connect with friends and family virtually.
- Get outside and enjoy the spring weather while maintaining social distancing.
- Take a break from checking the news for a day – read, watch or listen to other things.
- Support local restaurants by ordering delivery or carryout. Here is a list of restaurants in the Milwaukee area that are offering these methods of dining.
The WI DHS reminds Wisconsin residents that everyone is safer at home: Community spread of COVID-19 is occurring in many counties across Wisconsin, meaning everyone could be at risk of exposure. It is recommended that you limit outings to the essentials, such as getting groceries or going to medical appointments, and maintain a physical distance of 6 feet from others while out. Also, you should avoid social gatherings of any kind with all ages and continue to wash your hands often. The best method to
avoid illness and stop the spread is to
stay home to decrease the opportunities for transmission of the virus. Our healthcare system needs everyone’s assistance in slowing the spread to protect the health of all Wisconsin residents.
A common question about the Safer at Home order: Can I go outside for walks, outdoor exercise, or to play? According to the order, you may engage in outdoor activities that meet social distancing requirements, including traveling to public and state parks. We ask that you
move through the parks for walking, running and biking –
don’t stay and play! No team or contact sports are permitted and playgrounds are closed.
Even after implementing the Safer at Home order, it will likely be several weeks before we see results: This is because of the lag time between infection, symptom onset, and results of testing. The numbers you're seeing today and in the near term are people who were infected before Safer at Home started. The science tells us that staying at home is effective, so we must remain vigilant and stay home to slow the spread. Even if you do not feel sick, staying home is crucial.
You do not have permission to leave your home unnecessarily just because you are feeling okay. Choosing to ignore the Safer at Home order is contributing to the spread of COVID-19.
WUWM, Milwaukee’s NPR station, took a deeper look into the response of the NSHD to COVID-19: Check out the story on their
website.
NSHD Health Officer Ann Christiansen was interviewed by WUWM’s Susan Bence: She discusses the different levels of risk of exposure to COVID-19; reminds the public about the importance of self-isolation and self-quarantine; and reiterates the current COVID-19 testing prioritization, with the hope of increased testing capability to come. The NSHD is working diligently to protect the health of our North Shore communities. “This is what we’ve been trained to do” said Ann. Listen to the full interview
here.
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