Letter to the Editor | Recall of Kewaskum Village President & accountability from Trustees needed | By David Spenner

June 9, 2026 – Kewaskum, Wi – We have recently learned that the Kewaskum Police and Fire Commission dismissed charges against Chief Bishop and Lieutenant Frank that challenged their lawful decisions to offer employment to a former police officer with prior service concerns.

The decision they made can be debated. But nonetheless, it was their job to propose hiring.  Having worked with Chief Bishop for many years as a Village Trustee and President, I have total confidence in his ability to make a good decision for our benefit.

Essentially, the Commission found the Village President and Administrator overcharged these police leaders by advocating for their discharge.

There was no consideration for the timeless devotion and wealth of experience these police executives have already provided to the Kewaskum community.

We can second-guess the hiring decisions that our law enforcement professionals exercised. However, we need to consider the numerous competing factors that go into such a decision. Today’s hiring pool is not that abundant. I recognize that 10 years of good public service following a person’s bad decision made at a young age gives reason to ponder.  The officer was not criminally charged.  Why was there this weakness on this case? 

For our police leaders, the alternative is no staffing and no community protection.  They made a good faith decision.

I think Kewaskum’s police executives had this in mind and felt they could provide the necessary oversight of new hires and also keep the department staffed at proper levels to ensure our safety.

I speak from experience after retiring from the Milwaukee Police Department as a Senior Bureau Commander and later as Chief of Police for the City of Racine.  Total service of 33 years.

Village President Martin’s recent slanderous “pedophile supporter” labelling of Chief Bishop’s supporters is totally inappropriate. It makes his continued service as Village president wrong.

I served on the Village Board for 11 years; completing service as Village President.  This president is divisive and leads with little advocacy for transparency in village affairs.

Previous Village Presidents Andrew Pesch and Kevin Scheunemann mentored me on how to be a Village President. None of us would ever make the statements President Martin has publicly made.  He has created a nightmare for the Village to defend.  Residents should expect less service or a tax increase to pay for the civil lawsuit expense for this debacle.

Remember, this action was not advanced in a vacuum. Obviously, a majority of Village Trustees supported the President’s proposal for disciplinary action – all behind closed doors. I know as a former Village President that I would not act independently.  We worked as a team and if I was not supported by sufficient trustees for my next decision, I would pause.

Who are the Trustees that sided with President Martin?  Why are they hiding in the shadows? People of courage should openly explain and defend their actions.

I too will join past President Scheunemann in efforts to recall the current Village President.  I also await the other Village Trustees to go public on where they had sided on this action.

It could and should have been managed differently.  Perhaps they received bad advice.  I hope to hear from these Trustees.

I chose and enjoy living in Kewaskum for my post years in public service. It’s been 15 years living here. 

I hope the next village action is to allocate funds to purchase a Hoover vacuum and clean house.

Former Kewaskum Village President David Spenner

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