A Madison County Board member from Troy is stepping down for career reasons, creating an opening on the board.

Dr. Christopher Wangard, a pediatrician and a Republican, said in his resignation letter that he has taken on additional medical responsibilities “that would make it very difficult to dedicate the time and effort required to properly serve my district and Madison County.”

Wangard represented a Troy-area district on the 29-member board for the past six years. He said his proudest accomplishments include helping in the transition after the closing of the county’s Sheltered Care Home, a facility for the mentally ill and disabled.

“The follow-up checks continued for two years after the closure, and at the two-year checks, all but one former resident was pleased with their placements,” Wangard said. “Even though this was a controversial decision at the time, the county put a lot of effort into making sure the residents did not fall through the cracks, and succeeded. I don’t know very many government bodies that would go to that kind of effort.”

He said other government bodies could learn from Madison County government: “In my experience, the state legislature and the U.S. Congress could learn a few lessons in taking care of business, even when there are differing viewpoints,” he said.

Wangard said it’s tempting for a board member to “go with the flow,” but he tried not to do that.

“I jumped in and tried to guide the process in the direction that was best for my district or in keeping with my positions. Sometimes this was successful, sometimes not,” he said.

Wangard’s current term would have expired in 2012. A replacement will be recommended by the Republican Party and presented to the County Board for approval. The board doesn’t have to accept the party’s recommendation, but the replacement does have to be a Republican, since Wangard is a Republican.

Wangard said he hasn’t given County Board Chairman Alan Dunstan any recommendations for a replacement, but is willing to do so if Dunstan requests it.

Democrats hold a 19-10 majority on the board.

Wangard’s resignation is effective Aug. 1.

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