'What could be more disrespectful?': Anger in Kenosha County over three appointees to volunteer boards

KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Anger is growing in Kenosha County after County Executive Samantha Kerkman unveiled three new appointees to volunteer boards. This week community members overwhelmingly opposed the appointees, online and in person.

So far two members of the Racial and Ethnic Equity Commission have resigned in protest.

Demonstrators gathered outside Tuesday night's board meeting, and inside about two dozen people spoke out against the appointees.

They say these moves show county leadership is not serious about tackling racism.

Brad Backer is one of the people who resigned from the Racial and Ethnic Equity Commission. He told us, "I don't think that being on this commission, with these two additional people, can possibly result in anything serious."

Backer said Kerkman does not believe in its mission. "Either she does not believe that racism exists in our county, or that if she does, she doesn't care about it."

Kerkman appointed retired police officer A. Brian Gonzales to the commission. Gonzales shot and killed Michael Bell in 2004.

She also appointed attorney Xavier Solis, who represented the foundation that posted Kyle Rittenhouse's $2 million bond.

In announcing the appointees, Kerkman said she believes "both will bring valuable perspectives to the commission."

But many in the community were outraged. Veronica King told county board members, "Shame on you, Kenosha County. Shame on you, County Executive."

Marieta Huff said, "It appears that the worst possible candidates have been nominated." Huff continued, "If you want to further alienate and disenfranchise many of our fellow citizens, vote these men in."

In August of 2020 -- before Kerkman was elected County Executive -- the Kenosha County Board voted 18-1 to declare racism a public health crisis.

Sabrina Landry told the Board Tuesday, "This community has tried to show that Kenosha is a loving and welcoming place. Our County Executive must not share the same feelings."

Derrell Greene also resigned from the commission, writing in a letter that Kerkman's attitude has "shown to me that you do not care that racism exists in Kenosha nor do you plan to do anything about it."

Kerkman was unavailable for an interview about the commission but sent a statement that said in part "I have absolutely no wish for it to fail."

In his resignation letter, Greene pointed out the breakdown of the commission before he and Backer resigned was seven men and two women. He wrote Kerkman "totally disregarded our recommendation that was made in Oct 2022 to add an African American woman to the commission, and you made it more egregious by selecting two additional men to serve."

Solis told us Wednesday it's those opposed to him who are showing bias. "I advocate for people of any race, regardless of what color they are, Hispanic, white, Black."

The appointees prompted a demonstration ahead of Tuesday's board meeting.

Tanya McLean is the Executive Director & Founder of Leaders of Kenosha. She said, "This is not ok, and we don't want this in our community. So, we're asking that Samantha Kerkman does the right thing and rescinds these appointments."

In addition to Gonzales and Solis, Kerkman also appointed freelance investigator Kevin Mathewson to the Local Emergency Planning Committee.

Mathewson was also connected to the Rittenhouse case. Rittenhouse shot three men, killing two, in August 2020 after Mathewson put out a call to arms online for people to defend Kenosha.

In response to Mathewson's appointment, Heidi Helgeson said, "What could be more disrespectful and ridiculous?"

Here's the full statement from County Executive Samantha Kerkman:

"I respect Mr. Backer and Mr. Greene and I thank them for their service to the Racial and Ethnic Equity Commission. As for Mr. Green’s statement about my interest in the development and success of the commission, I have absolutely no wish for it to fail. I believe that the commission needs a balance of experience and perspective in keeping with the diverse nature of our community, and I have tried to strike that balance with my recent appointments."

Here's the full statement from A. Brian Gonzales, appointee to the Racial and Ethnic Equity Commission:

"As a Christian man first and foremost my duty is to love my neighbor as myself. Another words tell people about Christ. Next Sam Kerkman appointed me therefore I would not want to do anything to sour her reputation as her selection. I will approach this position with an open mind toward the facts not emotionalism. I will then make recommendations as the commission sees fit."

Here's the full statement from Kevin Mathewson, appointee to the Local Emergency Planning Committee:

"I was nominated for the Local Emergency Planning committee by County Executive Samantha Kerkman.  The people put their trust in her to choose appointees wisely, and County Executive Kerkman knows my background and my dedication to our community.  I was a 911 dispatcher for 5 years, and have worked directly with police, firefighters, and EMS throughout my career.  I also served on the Public Safety and Welfare Committee for 2 years as a Kenosha Alderman, a position to which I was elected twice.  It’s no secret that I’m a controversial figure in Kenosha County, but to say I’m an extremist or a racist is ridiculous on its face.  My commitment to uncovering the truth and saying the quiet part out loud is a threat to many who rely on the corruption that runs through Kenosha County, so it’s reasonable to assume that’s why they’re displeased with my nomination.  Those who are critical of my actions and statements during the 2020 riots must not love this community the same way I do.  Our city was burning to the ground, and people were being veritably hunted.  It seemed only logical to advocate for the Second Amendment and to encourage self-defense during such a dark time.  I feel honored to have been nominated, and I will always support the right to defense and safety for everyone in our community."