The city of Oceanside remains in political limbo as its mayor, Jim Wood, remains on medical leave. Wood suffered a stroke in May.
Wood’s aide, Debbie Walker-Mikulay, said Wood's goal is to return to the dais after the summer recess. The first Oceanside City Council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 9.
“Mayor Wood continues to work on his recovery at home and is making good strides,” she wrote in an email. “He is still focused on returning to the City Council in August and is grateful for the ongoing support from friends and family.”
Wood has suffered several stokes: one in 2011, while on a lobbying trip to Washington, DC; another a year later and a third in March 2015. In those cases he was back on the job within days or weeks. Recovery from the latest incident in May is taking longer.
The City Council has already granted the mayor one extension to his leave of absence.
Oceanside City Attorney John Mullen responded to a question about the city’s options in the event of a vacancy.
“If the mayor is absent from all regular council meetings without permission for a period of 60 consecutive days his office will be vacated by operation of law. The council would have 60 days to appoint or call a special election,” Mullen wrote. “There are also provisions in the government code that provide for an adjudication in court to determine if a member is physically or mentally unable to perform their duties and there is reasonable cause to believe he or she cannot complete their term. I have no reason to believe those sections are necessary at this point. “
Wood, 69, was elected mayor in 2004 and has been re-elected three times. His current term extends to 2020.
Deputy Mayor Chuck Lowery is filling in for the mayor in his absence.
