The Wausonian is still awaiting the full report from an investigation into a complaint against the Kronenwetter village administrator, which the village board cleared in late March.
But the fallout from the investigation extends beyond the administrator.
Following a closed session of the village board last week:
Community Development Director Pete Wegner was fired
Administration directed to take additional, unspecified personnel actions
And village board member Sandi Sorensen resigned, alleging bullying, intimidation and improper handling of the investigation
The Wausonian obtained a copy of Sorensen’s resignation letter, which sharply criticizes village leadership and raises questions about how the investigation was conducted.
How we got here
The village of Kronenwetter in March hired law firm Von Briesen to investigate the conduct of its administrator.
The village in late March cleared Administrator James Davel of any workplace misconduct after reviewing the results of the investigation. The Wausonian requested a copy of the investigation and is awaiting a response.
The Wausonian did obtained the cost of the new investigation.
Von Briesen billed the village $5,600 for its work — including:
$1,120 through February
$4,480 through March
The village has not yet released the full report underlying those findings.
But there has already been fallout from the investigation.
Firing
Following a closed session Thursday, the Kronenwetter Village Board voted unanimously to fire Community Development Director Pete Wegner.
The village president, Dan Joling, directed Davel to handle other personnel issue in private. What those issues were, or who they were directed to, were not specified in the open session.
Also stemming from the meeting, village board member Sandi Sorensen resigned. The Wausonian obtained a copy of her resignation letter, which she filed Monday.
The Wausonian also obtained a response to the resignation letter’s content from Davel.
Sorensen resigns
The Wausonian is so far the only outlet to have obtained a copy of Sorensen’s resignation letter.
Sorensen’s resignation letter offers a much sharper account of what happened behind the scenes.
Sorensen in her resignation said she had high hopes for her role in shaping village governance when she was first elected to the board last year.
But that changed this year, she said:
Things changed in 2026 when I wouldn’t capitulate to the bullying, harassing intimidation tactics and outright hostility of the administration. I could not understand the blatant disregard for procedure, ordinances and state statutes in other words the Rule of Law. It was my understanding that I had the right and even the direction to represent the will of the people, not to succumb to the pressure of a select few who felt they know best. I did not fall in line and did not appreciate having comments made about my need for “reprogramming”, totally disrespecting my independence.
She further alluded to the investigation being handled improperly:
I have been unjustly accused of making up a story surrounding an employee verbal complaint which was passed on to the Village President per the employee handbook. This then should have gone to the Village Board for determination on handling and to see if counsel was needed. It was not brought to the board until after counsel was hired. I do not even believe counsel would have been necessary and further would not have voted for Von Briesen based on the Villages past experience with them.
Sorensen said she felt she was unjustly accused of having a political bias, when she only wanted to make sure her workplace was comfortable for employees.
I have been unjustly accused by the new board member not even here at the time, that I was involved in “investigation interference” because I spoke to 2 employees of the Village on the date of early voting April 2 which is after the Executive Summary draft of 3-27-2026. I was also accused in social media from the same individual of causing something he had no knowledge of since it was in closed session. Or did he know what was discussed in closed session when he is not on the board?
I therefore tender my resignation as trustee and apologize to the many constituents who placed their trust in me. I feel it is best for my health and for the success of this board and I wish the village well.
Read the full letter here (though most of it is in the block quotes above):
The Wausonian reached out to Davel and to Kronenwetter Village President Dan Joling for response to Sorensen’s letter.
Davel said in a statement to The Wausonian:
I believe the redacted version of the investigation will rebut her accusations and bring to light what really occurred when our attorneys complete it. I was completely cleared, not substantiated on the allegations.
The Wausonian is still waiting for release of the full investigation report from Von Briesen, and may receive a summary copy of the investigation prior to the full release.
This is a story The Wausonian will continue to follow.
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