CARLSBAD — While many look forward to the retirement years, Lorraine Wood has an eye on a 2012 Carlsbad City Council seat. Although Wood’s term of city clerk ends in 2014, she recently retired as records manager at the city of Carlsbad.
Wood, 62, has been city clerk for more than 11 years.
With additional free time, in-depth knowledge on how the City Council operates, and Wood’s desire to keep a strong link with Carlsbad, she recently announced her candidacy.
“I’m up for the challenge and I’m in a great point in my life to do it,” Wood said. “I have a lot of life experiences behind me with a lot more years where I can really be productive.”
Before Wood landed a job in the City of Carlsbad, she worked in the biotech industry for numerous years. Tired with the long roundtrip commutes from her Carlsbad home to San Diego, Wood yearned for a change.
After a temp agency got Wood into a city of Carlsbad position, she quickly scaled upward from being a deputy city clerk to city clerk in under a year.
“I was at the right place at the right time,” she said.
Wood said she is one of those people who are running for office in Carlsbad who genuinely love their community, the people in it, and the community service it entails.
Since being city clerk, Wood said that former Carlsbad Mayor Buddy Lewis and current Mayor Pro Tem Ann Kulchin have been her great influences.
“When faced with challenges, they knew how to put everything in perspective,” she said. “I have really been in awe of what the City Council has done and it would be such an opportunity for me to be part of helping the citizens.”
Wood believes her analytical work in the biotech field and her interpersonal relationships in the city of Carlsbad give her a unique edge in her campaign.
Retired Carlsbad Councilwoman Ramona Finnila has known Wood for more than a decade and was pleased after hearing Wood’s candidacy news.
“First of all, Lorraine is a quick study on issues and she would be an asset to the City Council,” Finnila said. She also pointed out that Wood, as city clerk, is present for City Council meetings, understands the issues in great detail, and knows Carlsbad policies.
“Lorraine can really hit the ground running,” Finnila said.
Wood has also been highly involved in the Rotary Club of Carlsbad serving as past president, and currently, director for the Rotary Club of Carlsbad Foundation.
Fellow Carlsbad Rotarian, Ray Pearson, thought Wood’s intent to run for City Council was a perfect fit since she understands how the city works.
“And she truly understands the term “public servant,’” he said.
Pearson said that Wood is at an advantage to be a great City Council member because she has the time to dedicate and study the issues, be available to her community, and serve the city of Carlsbad.
Hope Wrisley, traffic commissione for the city, described Wood as bright and efficient.
“Lorraine would have a very short learning curve in the city Council because she knows her city so well; she can really make a difference in Carlsbad,” Wrisley said.
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