OCEANSIDE, Calif. (KGTV) - Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood announced his resignation from office effective Jan. 1, in a letter to the city clerk this week.
"I have made the difficult decision to resign my position as Mayor of Oceanside," Wood's letter to City Clerk Zack Beck stated. "I want to thank all of my supporters, my friends and most importantly, my family, for all of their love and support through this untimely event in my life.
"It has been such an honor to serve the City that I have lived in for over 65 years; as a Police Officer, a Councilmember and Mayor."
Wood had recently returned to work after suffering from a stroke in the spring, according to City News Service. He had announced in May that he would take a leave of absence.
Wood had served as Oceanside mayor for 13 years.
Wood sent a second letter to the clerk's office recommending Beck or former City Manager Peter Weiss be appointed as Mayor for the remainder of his term in order to, "save the City (sic) from incurring the costs of a special election."
Wood's current term extends to 2020.
In response to Wood's endorsement, Beck released the following statement;
“First and foremost, I would like to thank Mayor Wood for his 46 years of service to the City of Oceanside.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mayor Wood and his family for his continued recovery.
I am honored to serve as City Clerk of the City of Oceanside. I am ready and willing to serve in any capacity that the citizens of Oceanside would like me to lead in. I am truly humbled by Mayor Wood’s endorsement.”
The Oceanside City Council has two months to appoint a successor or call for a special election.
