CARLSBAD — City Council was all smiles as elected councilmembers Keith Blackburn and Lorraine Wood were sworn in at the Dec. 11 meeting.
Wood has been Carlsbad’s city clerk for the past 12 years, and took the seat of outgoing mayor Pro Tem Ann Kulchin, who stepped down after 32 years on the City Council. Wood grinned with excitement as she moved across the stage to her new seat among the other councilmembers.
“Just think, now you’ll be able to express your opinion on important issues before the council,” laughed Mercedes Martin, Del Mar’s city clerk, as she congratulated Wood on behalf of the San Diego County City Clerks Association.
After thanking those who helped her get elected, Wood said, “I’d like to see 2013 be a bases-loaded, homerun kind of year. So I’ve got one request, citizens of Carlsbad and council, put me in coach, I’m ready to play!”
Before swearing Wood in, City Attorney Ronald Ball remarked, “I’ve seen you issue many, many oaths to elected officials but this will be the first one that you’re the recipient of an oath of office as an elected official.”
Blackburn was first elected to City Council in 2008, and was reelected for a second term this year.
All of the councilmembers congratulated Blackburn, and expressed their happiness that he would continue to serve on City Council.
With 57,415 votes, Carlsbad had an 87 percent turnout for November’s election. As the only two candidates, Blackburn earned 30,506 votes and Wood won 26,706 votes.
The meeting also celebrated Ball’s last City Council meeting before retiring from his position. Ball has served as city attorney for the past 26 years.
“Mr. Ball, we are going to miss you. You have done great service to this community, to this city,” said Councilmember Farrah Douglas.
“It’s kind of a bittersweet night, but I think you’ll be carrying on and continuing with your wise decisions,” said Ball, addressing the council for the last time. “I am happy to have been a part of that for the past 26 years.”
