Kewaskum village president Michael Fuzz Martin resigns, cites police hiring concerns

Village President Michael Fuzz Martin read a formal resignation letter to the board and attendees, saying his resignation is effective at midnight on 07/21/2026. In the letter he summarized accomplishments during his tenure — including construction of a new village hall and police department facility, relocation of the library, economic development projects and a large planned private investment estimated at $260,000,000 — and announced his decision to step down.

Martin wrote that he had "raised serious concerns about the integrity of our police department's hiring practices" and that "an independent investigation validated those concerns." He said that, rather than accountability, "what followed was a coordinated effort to intimidate, discredit, and silence" him and staff, and that he was resigning in part so his family could have peace: "I am resigning because my family deserves peace."

Martin credited staff and community partners for accomplishments during his term and urged future leaders to "lead with integrity and have the fortitude to do what is right even when it is hard." The letter names multiple staff and partners, thanks volunteers and firefighters including retired Chief Greschel, and ties the resignation in part to long-running disputes about standards of integrity and accountability in the police department.

The board accepted the letter as read and proceeded to adjourn. The transcript spells the village name multiple ways; this report standardizes the spelling to "Kewaskum." For the record, the resignation letter sets the effective date as 07/21/2026 and references an independent investigation without providing its report or source in the meeting transcript; the investigation's findings should be sought from the village or the independent investigator for verification.