December 2nd, 2024

Holiday Wreath Lighting

The annual Wind Point Holiday Wreath Lighting Ceremony, sponsored by the Wind Point Community Club, was held on Sunday, December 1^st.

Thank you to all the volunteers who made this annual event such a success. It really shows what a great community Wind Point is, and it is a great way for the community to celebrate together. Thanks again and we'll see you next year for the event!

2025 Dog Licenses Now Available:

Dog owners can obtain their 2025 dog licenses. A dog license application, along with the fee and copy of the dog's current rabies certification, should be submitted to the Village Office, in person, via mail, or in the drop box located in the circle driveway near the office. If submitting by mail or drop box, please remember to include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the dog tag and receipt to be returned to you.

Dog license applications are provided on the tax bill inserts and are also available online. State law requires that dog owners obtain an annual license for any dog more than 5 months of age or within 30 days of acquiring ownership.

The license fee is $15 for altered dogs and $35 for unaltered dogs. A $10 late fee is applied to any applications received after March 31, 2025. Failure to obtain a license may result in a municipal citation and a fine of $187 for an unlicensed dog.  

Trustee Manning Appointed to Vacant Trustee Position

At the November Board Meeting, Charlie Manning was appointed as the newest Trustee for the Village of Wind Point following a board vacancy. We are excited to have Trustee Manning join the board again and look forward to working with him.

Charlie Manning along with his wife of 48 years, Mary Cerow Manning have lived in Wind Point for many years. Mary retired from her Nurse Practitioner position at Ascension several years ago, while Charlie continues to work a little, mostly for enjoyment.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Charlie was sent to Shady Side Academy at the age of 12, where he spent five years before returning home. In the fall of 1971, he headed off to Hobart College, returning home on his own four years later. It was at Keuka College, located about a half-hour's drive down the shore of Seneca Lake, where he met Mary.

Charlie moved to Racine in the summer of 1976 to work for Racine Tool and Machinery, covering the Southeastern region. During the economic downturn of 1982, he received a letter on December 23rd, informing him that he would be on his own as an independent representative. The letter offered to cover his phone bill for three months but left him to manage the rest. Over the next three decades, Charlie picked up several other manufacturers, focusing primarily on machine tools in a role that combined about 60% technical work and 40% commercial. He also continues to represent a product line for data collection and statistical analysis, including GageTalker, Brown & Sharpe, and GE Automation Software.

An avid sailor from a young age, Charlie's passion for boats never waned. Shortly after moving to Racine, he and Mary bought a 30-foot sloop and sailed all over Lake Michigan and Green Bay with their young children, Skip and Thomas. He has been a member of the Racine Yacht Club for 45 years, serving as Commodore for four years and as senior instructor for the Adult Sailing School for about 15 years. Charlie also served as Skipper of Sea Scout Ship 5750 for a decade and as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 161. He was a board member of the Boy Scouts of America’s Southeast Wisconsin and Three Harbors Councils, and both of his sons are Eagle Scouts.

Over the years, Charlie raced several of his boats in the Wednesday night buoy races (known locally as "beercans") and long-distance events like the Racine Yacht Club’s HOOK race. He has held leadership roles, including serving as Director and Commodore of the Yacht Club, and currently holds the position of ‘valued member’ and welder. Recently, Charlie and Mary sold their Dufour 40 and purchased a trawler on the East Coast. A story about their journey will be published in Stroll magazine this winter. In the past, Charlie has also written articles on urban and suburban wildlife, including pieces on Turkey Vultures and Coyotes.

Charlie served on the Wind Point Board previously, having served from 2019 to 2022, including as Chair of the Lighthouse Committee. During his tenure, he worked on the new campus exhibit labels (signs), designing and fabricating their stands. He also contributed to several other projects, including the installation of a post-and-rope parking lot barrier and successfully appealing for grant money for the paved path. Welcome Charlie! 

Nomination forms Available for Village Offices

Village residents who are interested in running for Village President or Village Trustee can obtain nomination paperwork at the Village Office and Village website.

Interested in running for local office? The minimum qualifications to hold an office are:

• United States Citizen.
• At least 18 years of age (or older for certain offices).
• Satisfy residency requirements for specific office.
• May not have been convicted of a felony in any court in the United States unless pardoned of the conviction.

Candidates for local offices must file ballot access forms with their local clerk. The first day for candidates to circulate nomination papers for a Spring Election is December 1.

Prospective candidates can begin collecting signatures on December 1. At least 20 signatures from Wind Point electors are required. All nomination forms must be submitted to the Village Office no later than 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2025.

Three incumbent Village Trustees (Waterfall, Johnson, Manning) and Village President McCulloch are up for re-election. Trustee Waterfall has chosen not to seek re-election.

The spring election will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, and, if necessary, the primary election will be held Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact the Village Office at 262-639-3524 or by e-mail at info@windpoint.org. 

Safety Tips from Chief Sharrett

With increased Holiday travel and the potential for inclement weather, please remember these important safety tips.

Driving conditions can change in an instant, so it’s important that you take safety measures, such as making sure to go slow during inclement weather and stocking your vehicle with supplies you may need.

Here are some tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to help keep residents safe while driving this winter:

·        Check the weather before you leave. Assess the road conditions and traffic. 

·        Always remain vigilant while driving. 

·        Drive slowly in the winter– it takes longer to slow your vehicle on an icy, wet, or snowy surface. 

·        Allocate extra time for travel during the winter to compensate for driving more slowly. Do not rush or put yourself in a situation where you feel pressured to rush or speed. 

·        Either drive behind a snowplow or use caution whenever passing one. Never crowd a snowplow, and do not drive next to one other than for passing. Snowplows are slow, make wide turns, frequently stop, overlap lanes, and exit the road often. 

Stock your vehicle with the supplies you need to drive safely and stay warm in an emergency during the winter, including:

o  Snow shovel

o  Broom/ice scraper

o  Sand or kitty litter, to be used in case your vehicle becomes stuck in snow.

o  Flashlight

o  Jumper cables

o  Warning devices (i.e. flares, emergency markers)

o  Blankets for warmth. Also encouraged are extra hats, mittens, scarves, socks, and other warm clothing items in the car, should the vehicle break down. 

o  Cell phone charger

o  Water & Food

o  Consider keeping a stock of any medicine you or a passenger rely on when going on a longer trip or driving in a rural area.

In the event your car breaks down or stalls in the winter:

·        Stay with your vehicle

·        Do not overexert yourself

·        Place bright markers on the antenna or windows

·        Keep the interior dome light turned on

·        Do not run your car for long periods of time while the windows are rolled up or in an enclosed space– this is a carbon monoxide hazard. If you have to keep your vehicle running to stay warm, be sure to clear snow away from the exhaust pipe and run the vehicle only as long as needed to stay warm. Always wear your seatbelt, and make sure your passengers do too.



"Always remember, if you see something, say something" If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at police@windpoint.org. 

As we strive to create a safe and supportive environment for everyone, it’s essential to raise awareness about elder abuse, scams, and financial exploitation. Our seniors are vulnerable to various forms of mistreatment, and it is our collective responsibility to protect them.

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse can take many forms, including:

• Physical Abuse: Inflicting physical pain or injury.
• Emotional Abuse: Inflicting mental pain or distress.
• Neglect: Failing to provide necessary care.
• Financial Exploitation: Illegally using an elder's funds or assets.

Common Scams Targeting Seniors:

• Telemarketing Scams: Fraudsters posing as legitimate businesses or government officials.
• Investment Scams: Promises of high returns with little risk.
• Romance Scams: Exploiting emotional connections to extract money.

Signs of Abuse and Exploitation:

• Unexplained injuries or changes in behavior.
• Sudden changes in financial status or lack of necessities.
• Withdrawal from social activities or loved ones.

What You Can Do:

If you suspect elder abuse, scams, or financial exploitation, please report it immediately. Prompt reporting can help prevent further harm and bring perpetrators to justice.

Resources for Support:

• Local Law Enforcement: Always the first point of contact in an emergency abuse situation, call 911. If you believe you are being scammed, call the Wind Point Police Department.
• Racine County Adult Protective Services: Can investigate and intervene in cases of elder abuse. 262-833-8777
• National Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-800-677-1116

Let’s work together to ensure that our elders live with dignity and respect. Thank you for your vigilance and support in keeping our community safe.

“Elder abuse is a silent killer that destroys the lives of those who have already lived a lifetime.” – Unknown

General Election November 5th Turnout

For the November 5^th General Election Wind Point had an 88.1% turnout. Click here to view the unofficial election results. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to all of our dedicated poll workers and village staff who made this year’s general election such a tremendous success. Your hard work, commitment, and tireless efforts ensured that everyone had the chance to vote in this year's election.

From setting up polling stations to assisting voters and ensuring the integrity of the election process, your professionalism and dedication did not go unnoticed. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated team working behind the scenes to uphold the democratic process.

Thank you for your invaluable service to our community. You have made a real difference, and we are grateful for everything you do.

Village Board Updates

Notes from the November 14^th Village Board Meeting:

·        Adopted the 2025 Budget and approved the tax levy, reserves designations, and fee schedule. Click here to view the adopted 2025 budget.

·        Appointed Trustee Manning to the open board position.

·        Approved agreement with RA Smith. Click here to follow the latest updates for the 4-Mile Road project.

·        Updated the 2015 Branch Collection Policy for 2025. Starting in 2025 Branch Collection will be on the second Tuesday of April, June, August, and October. To view the adopted branch collection policy, click here.

·        Adopted the Village’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). The EOP is available to view here.

·        Adopted an ordinance change to Chapter 34 Division 4. To view the change, click here. 

Upcoming Meetings:

• Communications and Community Relations December 3 at 2:00 pm
• Personnel, Finance, and Insurance December 3 at 10:00 am
• Plan Commission Public Hearing on Chapter 36 Zoning Ordinance Changes December 10th at 5:30 pm.
• Parks, Recreation, Lighthouse, and Facilities- No Meeting this month.
• Public Works, Utilities, Environment- No meeting this month.
• Village Board December 12th at 5:00 pm.

December Work Anniversaries & Birthdays!

Happy work anniversary to DPW Assistant Tom Beard on 3 years with the Village of Wind Point!

A special election will be occurring to fill the position of Racine County Executive. Early voting in person for the primary will be from December 9th through December 13^th during normal business hours. The Special Election will be held on December 19^th at the Village Public Works Garage from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. 

If you have any questions or concerns about voting, please contact the Village Office at 262-639-3524 or info@windpoint.org.

Do you know your property line does not extend to the road? The area between the road and your property line is Village right of way. This right-of-way area is not to be planted with trees or shrubs. The area should be free of rocks, landscaping materials, or the ever-popular vertical stakes we see on the side of our roads. Please remove all of your items from the right of way. This is very important as it can delay DPW snowplow operations, and be a hazard you will be liable for. Refer to your property surveys, or access Racine County GIS mapping to view your property lines. The Village has limited property surveys on file from previous building permit applications only. The Village does not provide surveying services. This is hired privately.

Holiday Tree Pick- Up