Campbellsport looks at village president recall

Residents of the Village of Campbellsport are looking into initiating a recall effort against Village President Tom Dornbrook, citing concerns over staff turnover and leadership decisions within the village government.

Village Administrator Charlie Kudy said the stated reasons for the recall stem from “staff changes the public believes to be precipitated by President Dornbrook’s leadership.”

According to village officials, the recall petition process follows state guidelines under Wisconsin Statute § 9.10. Village staff must first confirm that the petition was filed after the required one-year waiting period and within the 60-day signature collection window. Each page of the petition is reviewed to ensure it correctly lists the official subject to recall and the reason for the effort.

The Campbellsport Clerk’s Office will then verify that each signature belongs to a qualified voter within the proper district and that enough valid signatures were collected—equal to 25% of the votes cast for governor in the last election. Duplicate, incomplete, or ineligible signatures will not be counted.

If the petition meets all legal requirements, a recall election will be scheduled. If not, petitioners will be notified and may appeal the decision.

Kudy said no disruptions to municipal operations are expected during the review process. “Services will remain the same for Village of Campbellsport residents,” Kudy said.

The village continues to hold regular board meetings on the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. No public meetings or hearings related to the recall have been scheduled.

An ongoing investigation, authorized by the Village Board in August, is expected to conclude before the board’s November meeting. The review will address recent developments within the village organization.

“The Village Board has made good-faith efforts to be proactive by requesting this investigation,” Kudy said.

Dornbrook, who has served as village president since 2023, said he believes his authority has been overstated and that decisions are made collectively by the board, committees, and the administrator.

“I don’t carry the power people think I do,” Dornbrook said. “I can’t go to the Department of Public Works and say that someone does not like how you plowed, you have to change it. The people who started this petition don’t understand that.”

Dornbrook told the Campbellsport News that the village president doesn’t have much authority. Dornbrook noted that he feels he has never forced or coerced any staff members into leaving or altering their decision-making process. The president added that he feels a specific, unnamed member of the community is spearheading the efforts against him.

“I think there is a toxic person here,” Dornbrook said about the recall effort.

It remains uncertain when the petition review will be completed or whether a recall election will be scheduled.

Dornbrook noted he prides himself on his transparency in office. He said some notable key accomplishments included his efforts to implement a public safety committee and an emergency government director.

Dornbrook said that he invites the public to speak with him about the misconceptions and feels that a civil discussion can clear the air in the village.

“They can meet me at the village hall,” Dornbrook explained. “If they want to meet with me, even with a third party there, come in and talk to me. You tell me what you heard, and I’ll tell you if it’s true or not.”