Local assemblymen call for resignation of fellow legislator

By Laurie Ritger
The Reporterlritger@fdlreporter.com

Two local colleagues of an embattled Wisconsin Assembly representative are calling for his resignation.

Fond du Lac Rep. John Townsend, R-Fond du Lac, said he believes Chippewa Falls state Rep. Jeff Wood should resign his position in the wake of his third arrest in a year for driving while intoxicated.

Rep. Richard Spanbauer, R-Oshkosh, who represents the 53rd Assembly District, echoed Townsend's sentiment regarding resignation. The 53rd District includes a large area in Fond du Lac County.

Wood is being threatened with an exceedingly rare expulsion from the Assembly — something Townsend said he would vote for if a special committee that is reviewing the matter recommends it.

"My preference, and I think it would be best for all parties involved, would be for him to resign," Townsend said Friday night. "If it came down to a recommendation for expulsion, I would vote for that."

Townsend said it's obvious that Wood has a dependency problem with drugs and alcohol. He speculates that Wood wants to remain on the payroll to continue receiving his salary and insurance benefits.

"He has to be given his due process," Townsend added. "He has certain legal rights and we have to make sure they are safeguarded."

Spanbauer said Wood is not being fair to his constituents.

"The public should expect a reasonable amount of competency from their officials," he said, noting that a fourth (arrest) for operating under the influence demonstrates a serious problem.

"I don't want to vote to expel him," Spanbauer said. "I would rather have him come to reality."

Wood, in a press release Friday, said he would not seek re-election next year. There was no indication he planned to step down. His arrest Wednesday was his second within four weeks. Wood was convicted of drunken driving twice in the early 1990s and was charged in January 2009 and Wednesday of last week.

A September arrest on a suspicion of operating under the influence resulted in a charge of inattentive driving.

Townsend said he finds it "ironic" that Wood was one of a few who voted against a bill that passed the Assembly related to better monitoring of prescription drugs to deter "doctor shopping" by patients hoping to obtain excess prescription medication.

"At the same time, a bill increasing penalties for driving while intoxicated — he voted for that," Townsend said.

Wood reportedly told authorities he received a day pass from a treatment facility he was at so he could try and persuade a roommate who had left the facility to return. He said he took prescription medication with him and over-medicated himself.

"It's a very unfortunate situation," Townsend concluded, stating constituents could initiate a recall as another way to have Wood removed from office.

"My heart goes out to his family," Spanbauer said, adding that he believes Wood may be having difficulty resigning due to financial considerations and his pride.

He said a resignation would be the first step toward "doing something that's right."