3 leave troubled state vet board

AUSTIN — Three top board members overseeing the troubled Texas veterinary agency said Thursday they’re resigning after a scathing review prompted recommendations for change including a sweep of the board’s membership.

The president, vice president and secretary of the nine-member board made their announcement on the same day that the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission recommended that current board members’ terms end Sept. 17, 2017. The Sunset Commission also proposed specificity in the composition of the board, which is appointed by the governor and currently must have six veterinarians and three public members.

“They felt that if the Sunset Commission wanted them to go, they would just go now,” said Rudy Calderon, acting interim director of the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, of the members who resigned.

Calderon said that the officers, who made their announcement at a Thursday veterinary board meeting, also cited harsh criticism by members of the Sunset Commission.

“They had been acting in good faith,” Calderon said of the board members.

Those who resigned included president Roland Lenarduzzi, of Alvin; Joe Mac King, vice president, of Dallas and Dan Lee Craven, secretary, of Crockett.