Newburg president resigns

Rena Chesak stepped down as president of the Village of Newburg, citing work obligations, effective Friday, May 1.

In her resignation letter, Chesak said she was resigning from the board due to “current employment obligations.”

“This decision was extremely difficult for me to make,” she wrote. “It has been a great honor to serve with all of the trustees ,and I wish everyone the best in the future.”        Chesak did not respond to an email seeking further comment.

Under state law, the Village Board can either appoint a replacement to fill out the remainder of Chesak’s term or until a special election is held, if one is ordered by trustees, or the office can remain vacant until an election is held. 

An appointee can be a current trustee or a member of the public, Village Clerk Deanna Alexander said. If a trustee is appointed, that person would vacate their trustee seat, which could be filled either by appointment or election or could be left vacant.

Chesak was elected president in April 2019. Her term expires in April 2021.

Alexander said she expects the matter to be on the board’s agenda for its Thursday, May 14, meeting.

Chesak was elected president after the Village Board was sharply divided over its contract with the Newburg Fire Department.

Chesak, whose husband Mark Chesak is the village fire chief, was found to have violated the village ethics code by participating in debates over the issue, creating a conflict of interest.

The fire department is an independent organization that contracts with the village, the Town of Trenton and the Town of Saukville to provide fire protection.

Chesak was not sanctioned, however, because the village ethics ordinance contained no penalty at the time of the offense.

The subsequent tense atmosphere in village government led former clerk Rick Goeckner and former treasurer Chrissie Brynwood to abruptly resign in May 2019. 

Both said they felt unsafe coming to work, complaining they were being watched by a Chesak supporter.

Alexander, a former Milwaukee County supervisor, was hired to replace Goeckner.

Village residents interested in serving as president or as a trustee should contact Alexander with a written statement of intent to be shared with the Village Board on May 14.