Some Evers Appointees Finally Assuming Their Roles

Thursday, January 5th, 2023 -- 11:00 AM

(By Sarah Lehr, Wisconsin Public Radio) Three people appointed during Democratic Gov. Tony Evers last term are belatedly assuming their roles on Wisconsin's Technical College System board after their Republican predecessors agreed to step down 20 months after their terms officially ended.

According to Sarah Lehr with Wisconsin Public Radio, Mary Williams, Becky Levzow and Kelly Tourdot, all of whom were appointed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker, submitted resignation letters Dec. 29, just five days before Evers was sworn in to his second term on Tuesday.

Although their terms expired in May 2021, the three women were allowed to continue serving on the board, which oversees public two-year colleges across the state, because Wisconsin's Republican-led Senate has yet to confirm their replacements.

During that time, Evers nominee Dan Klecker, has been observing meetings even though he lacked voting power until his predecessor, Williams, stepped down.

"I looked at it as a time to train and understand ... the process and I must say I do feel like I am ready to sit on the board now beyond a doubt," said Klecker, who's a field manager at the ASE Education Foundation, an organization that accredits automotive technology education programs.

Williams, a former Republican state representative, declined to comment when contacted by a reporter, and the letter she submitted to the board did not state a reason for her resignation. The end-year-resignations on Wisconsin's technical college system board mirror another more high profile resignation from a state board.

Dentist Fred Prehn gave his notice effective Dec. 30, clearing the way for conservationist Sandy Naas to take her seat on the board more than a year after Evers appointed her.

At the start of December, nearly 180 people nominated by Evers during his first term to lead state, boards and agencies and commissions had yet to be confirmed by the Senate.

Evers has called on Republican leadership to stop dragging its feet on the issue, and to at least bring more appointees to a vote.

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