Panel finds Newburg president violated ethics code

The Village of Newburg’s Ethics Commission last week found newly elected Village President Rena Chesak in violation of the municipal ethics code.

Village Trustee Bill Cording accused Chesak of violating the code when she participated in a debate regarding the village’s contract with the Newburg Fire Department. Because her husband Mark Chesak is the department chief, her participation in the debate constituted a conflict of interest, the commission ruled.

The debate was similar to one held in the Town of Saukville, in which town officials said they were being charged too much for fire protection compared to the Town of Trenton, for which the Newburg department also provides service.

Rena Chesak did not vote on the contract but violated the code by participating in the debate, including asking her husband questions during public hearings, the commission ruled.

The debate occurred last year when the village and fire department were negotiating a new three-year contract. Village officials were concerned that the department was overcharging the village. Chesak argued against cuts in funding to the department. 

The fire department proposed a three-year contract with increases of 1% each year. Some trustees wanted the contract cut by 10%. The board eventually accepted the department’s proposal.

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.

Another complaint by Cording was not addressed by the commission. That complaint accused Chesak of trying to defeat two ordinances that affect downtown businesses, including the Main Street tavern where Chesak worked. 

In December, former Newburg Assistant Police Chief Scott Yanke accused Chesak of  misconduct relating to her participation in debates over fire department funding.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department investigated Yanke’s accusation but District Attorney Mark Bensen’s office has so far declined to investigate or file charges.

The Ethics Commission’s decision will be on the Village Board agenda when it meets at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, Village Administrator Rick Goekner said.

The Village Board does not have the authority to remove Chesak from office, but the state ethics code allows the board to levy a $100 to $1,000 fine for each offense.

Chesak declined to comment for this story.

Chesak was elected Village Board president in the April election, defeating Jenny Strohmayer, who had become village president in November after former president Mike Heili stepped down. Heili is chairman of the Ethics Commission.

The board is accepting applications to fill the trustee seat vacated by Chesak and may vote to fill it at the May 9 meeting.

Applicants should submit a letter to Goekner by Monday, May 6. Candidates will be interviewed in open session by village trustees at their May 9 meeting.