My View: Men dominate Boone boards under Walberg’s leadership
The lack of women on Boone County Board’s appointed posts took another step backward in September despite pleas of five of 12 board members to give women and minorities a chance on the Boone County Board of Health.
Chairman Bob Walberg presented Marshall Newhouse for the open spot making the ratio of men to women on that board 10-to-1. No minorities of either gender were presented. No County Board committee was asked for advice on the appointment as was done by previous chairs.
This appointment dismayed many board members and observers, as did the recent appointment of Brian Van Laar to the Zoning Board of Appeals. The ratio on that board is 4 men to 1 woman.
Both Newhouse and Van Laar are outspoken opponents of wind farms, as is Walberg.
Since Walberg was elected chair five years ago, he has only recommended men to the open seats on the County Board. Those Walberg nominated were David Mace, Bernard O’Malley, Paul Larson, Brad Fidder, Ken Grzybowski and Chris Berner. The ratio on the County Board is 11 men to one woman, and only men chair any of his board committees.
A check of his appointments in the past five years find the overwhelming majority have been men. In the past year, only a handful of women have been recommended for any opening.
Five board members — Ken Freeman, Bill Pysson, Craig Schultz, Marion Thornberry and I — asked for a postponement of the health board appointment to give women and minorities a chance. It was denied by the same 7-to-5 vote, despite the fact that other appointments have been postponed and despite the fact that many women and minorities, most likely the majority, seek help from the health board.
Obviously Boone County has dozens of highly intelligent, qualified and talented women and minorities who could serve on these boards and should.
The seven board members who voted for Walberg’s choices are Chris Berner, Denny Ellingson, Brad Fidder, Karl Johnson, Paul Larson, Ron Wait and Walberg. Berner, Fidder and Larson were all recommended for appointment to the board by Walberg during his term of office.
Berner, Ellingson, Fidder, Johnson, Larson, and Walberg are all outspoken opponents of wind farms, a proposed multi-million investment, still a highly controversial topic in Boone County.
A couple things could reverse this vote at the October meeting. One of the men voting for Newhouse could ask that it be reconsidered or Newhouse could decline the appointment and give women a chance.
Some board members who voted for Newhouse suggested it might be a good idea to give women or minorities a chance for a post. Maybe next time, they said. Maybe.
Cathy Ward, District 2, is a member of the Boon County Board.
Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20141004/Opinion/141009753#ixzz3FHBqv1xq
My View: No change in percentage of women, men appointed to Boone County Board of Health
Without seeing Mrs. Ward’s letter, but anticipating her comments, I would like to respond. At our last County Board meeting I was criticized for not appointing a woman or a minority to the Boone County Board of Health.
People who ridicule usually don’t have the facts on their side. Going back to 2002, Chairman Anderson (2002-2006) appointed 77 percent men and 23 percent women, Chairman Ward (2007-2008) appointed 73 percent men and 27 percent women. During my term as Board Chairman (2009-present) I have appointed 76 percent men and 24 percent women. I was in the middle of the two previous chairmen.
Statistically there was no change for men and woman appointed. However, Anderson appointed two minorities, Ward appointed two minorities, and I have appointed nine minorities. My goal as board chairman is to select the best candidate to serve our county.
The truth is Mrs. Ward always used the administration committee to screen interested persons. When there is more than one interested person, I select a committee with expertise or a related field to interview the interested people. Each committee has individual qualifications to assist in giving a professional opinion in the selection.
I hope this information I have provided will help clarify this topic.
Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20141004/Opinion/141009734#ixzz3FHCoZN2M
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