• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Whitewater to help offset soldier's damages

WHITEWATER — Donations are beginning to pour in to help a local Marine battling the city of Whitewater over damage to his home from a sewer backup, and the city has agreed to give him $3,720.

Joseph Cull, 27, a first lieutenant serving in Afghanistan, owns a duplex in the 200 block of Park Street.

He believes the city should cover the costs of cleanup and repair after a clogged city sewer pipe filled his basement with water and sewage in early July. The city filed a claim for the damage with its insurance company, but the claim was denied, and city officials said the city is not responsible for damages, which total $13,320.

But the Whitewater City Council on Tuesday voted to contribute $3,720 from the city sanitary sewer fund to help offset the cost of damages and repairs, City Manager Kevin Brunner said.

The amount is the total damages—which previously were estimated at $20,000—less the cost of foundation repair. Brunner said it is unclear if the foundation was damaged as a result of the sewer backup.

Meanwhile, veterans organizations, service clubs and civic groups have organized a fundraising drive to collect money to cover the remaining cost of damages and repairs.

They have created the Lt. Joseph Cull Relief Fund at three local banks, and the Whitewater VFW Post has contributed $500.

Bob Webster, the local representative for the Wisconsin American Legion, has recommended the state organization donate $1,000 to help Cull only if the fundraising effort lags or does not reach its goal.

Those organizing the fundraising drive said at the city council meeting Tuesday that reaching the goal of covering the remaining cost of damages and repairs wouldn't be difficult, said Webster, who was at the meeting.

"The state is flooded with requests, and ...some of them bring a tear to your eye," he said. "This is a good cause, but there's no question the state could put the same thousand toward a cause equally as admirable."

Cull wrote in an e-mail to the Gazette last week that he is "truly grateful" to those who have come forward and offered their help.

He is expected to return from duty in November.