Representative Wood faces expulsion
Students weigh in on possible punishment
Thomas Fountain
Issue date: 11/12/09 Section: Campus News
A special legislative committee met in the Wisconsin State Senate to discuss the expulsion of Rep. Jeff Wood (I-Chippewa Falls). The committee, which has been named the Assembly Special Committee on Ethics and Standards of Conduct, was formed under Assembly Rule 21.
Wood, who was recently arrested on his fifth charge of driving under the influence, is the first state representative to face an expulsion committee since the inception of Assembly Rule 21 in 1989, and he would be the first expelled since 1917.
Sophomore Carly Hustedt said Wood should be expelled because of his status in the public eye.
"He's not exactly setting a great example," Hustedt said. Sophomore Nick Ott agreed.
"As a state representative, you should follow the laws you set," Ott said.
Despite a general consensus that Wood should be expelled, students differed on whether the decision would influence Wisconsin's drinking culture.
Senior Drew Lukes said he's not sure how legislators can expect their constituents to live by the law if they do not abide by them themselves.
"I think (drunk driving) is pretty engrained in our culture right now," Lukes said. "I think people realize that it's not a good thing, but it's pretty prevalent and it's going to take something bigger than (Wood's expulsion) to put a hold on that culture."
Senior Audrey Mohr disagreed, saying this could provide an opportunity to the legislature.
"If he is expelled, I think it would say 'yes, we take this very seriously even amongst our own, even amongst those who make these policies," Mohr said.
Junior Sarah Lieburn said if Wood is not expelled, the state could be sending the wrong message.
"It'll show people that it is OK to (drive drunk)," Lieburn said. "You can still hold high positions and not be penalized for it."
Wood was enrolled at a rehabilitation center during his most recent arrest, but was released on a day pass. He pleaded not guilty and has announced he will not run for office in the next election.
Wood, who was recently arrested on his fifth charge of driving under the influence, is the first state representative to face an expulsion committee since the inception of Assembly Rule 21 in 1989, and he would be the first expelled since 1917.
Sophomore Carly Hustedt said Wood should be expelled because of his status in the public eye.
"He's not exactly setting a great example," Hustedt said. Sophomore Nick Ott agreed.
"As a state representative, you should follow the laws you set," Ott said.
Despite a general consensus that Wood should be expelled, students differed on whether the decision would influence Wisconsin's drinking culture.
Senior Drew Lukes said he's not sure how legislators can expect their constituents to live by the law if they do not abide by them themselves.
"I think (drunk driving) is pretty engrained in our culture right now," Lukes said. "I think people realize that it's not a good thing, but it's pretty prevalent and it's going to take something bigger than (Wood's expulsion) to put a hold on that culture."
Senior Audrey Mohr disagreed, saying this could provide an opportunity to the legislature.
"If he is expelled, I think it would say 'yes, we take this very seriously even amongst our own, even amongst those who make these policies," Mohr said.
Junior Sarah Lieburn said if Wood is not expelled, the state could be sending the wrong message.
"It'll show people that it is OK to (drive drunk)," Lieburn said. "You can still hold high positions and not be penalized for it."
Wood was enrolled at a rehabilitation center during his most recent arrest, but was released on a day pass. He pleaded not guilty and has announced he will not run for office in the next election.
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posted 12/21/09 @ 3:11 PM CST
It is not very pleasant situation.
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